Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-09-28

went for her fathers hat and coat. He
had wanted time to get these himself
but had refused to allow 1t, knowing
that he undoubtedly would make his
escape into the woods in the rear of his
house and be lost to us-perhaps for
good. the venerable malefactor took
his arrest calmly, as he had done when
previously arrested, md chatted with
the officers on his way to the four courts,
where he was locked up.
The leader of the band in custody, the
work of the night was only begun.
had determined to make all the arrests
that night-or as many Of them as pos
sible-before the news of the arrest OF
the ringleader reached the others.
Twenty-six years ago the telephone was
not in general use, and other means of
communication were much more linn
tied than at present, so felt that if we
worked fast the chances for any of the
gang escaping us were small.
In my detective career of 40 years |
do not recall another night as lively as
that one. Our next move was against
the Thomases. To make these arrests
we took Officer Weigman. as he was
familiar with the minister and his wife,
and with the premises, besides being an
intelligent and trustworthy policeman.
Arriving at the house in Finney avenue,
l sent Weigman ahead to knock at the
door. Mrs. Thomas responded. Weig-
man asked for her husband, and the
minister's wife said he was out-she
believed attending lecture at DR..
Brooke's church, but she expected him
home soon.
While Weigman was holding Mrs.
Thomas in conversation Wheeler and |
entered the house, telling Mrs. Thomas
we intended to make a search of the
premises She was properly indignant,
but cool. l ordered her under arrest,
and placed her in Wheeler's custody. I
then sent Weigman out to wait for
Thomas, as it was evident his wife had
told the truth about his absence We
intended, of course, to take Mrs. Thomas
to JAIL and as she was not properly at
tired for such trip, directed Wheeler
to have her select such additional cloth
ing as she wished to wear.
The preachers wife was an Amazon
in physique. and strongly masculine in
disposition and action. She claimed to
have been Mrs. Richard Pollard, a widow,
when she married Thomas, two years
before, having formed the acquaintance
of the minister, through taking music
lessons from him during her widow
hood. There had been some sinister
suggestions concerning the disappear
ance of Pollard, but l believe no evil
dence ever was presented going to show
that there was anything irregular in the
affair. We had learned good deal con-
corning her physical bravery and de-
termination while "shadowing" her
during the previous weeks, and, while
wishing to show her every possible
courtesy due woman, dared not lei
her out of our sight. After she had Sc
lected the clothes she wanted l had
Wheeler search tim for concealed
weapon. but none was found.
While she was dressing for the stree
| etuu w do lilahlI;o q luflICu oSGlSu vi
the house. l was startled by a pisto
] shot outside. Telling Wheeler to watct
| the woman ran from the house. tc
find Neigman graphing with Rev. MI
| Thomas. 1t seems when Thomas ar
rived Weigman promptly covered hin;
with his revolver and told Kim he was
under arrest. The minister power
full man physically. did not see fit meek
ly to submit to arrest, and he fiercel.
attacked the policeman. striking him {
terrific blow on the jaw. Weigman free
shot to bring help I ran up to Thorn
as. and. before he had chance to Offer
further resistance, clapped the hand
cuffs on him.