The Sisseton weekly standard. (Sisseton, Roberts County, S.D.) 1892-1929, 1905-02-03
ARRESTED BY HIS DETECTIVE.
Harvard Graduate Lewis Must Stand
Trial by Jury Of Former Admirers.

Harvard Graduate Lewis Must Stand
Trial by Jury Of Former Admirers.
Arrested by his own detective, later
fleeing to Canada and for two years
fighting off all efforts of the govern
ments Of Great Britain and the United
States to bring him to trial, Banker j.
Web Lewis is about to lose at last and
be brought back to face jury of his
former admirers.
After career which won for him as
much honor as could be conferred by
Edmunds county, Lewis was arrested
for common theft, the taking of sack
containing $3.50 from the county
treasury, and when he hired a detec-
tive to find the robber he, himself, was
taken for the crime.
A graduate of Harvard. J. Web Lew
is, magnetic and accomplished, came to
Ipswich when it was a mere dot upon
broad expanse of prairie.
Always taking lead in public af
fairs and prospecting with the develop
ment of the new state, it was but nat
ural that Lewis should win favor at
the hands of the county. He was elect
ed treasurer and served with apparent
credit.
Then he engaged in the banking
business, and as cashier Of the First
State bank of Ipswich he took still
higher rank in the county. Quite nat
urally he was asked to check over the
books of his successor in the office of
county treasurer. few days later.
Aug. Is, 1902, the town was startled by
th, announcement that the county
treasury had been robbed. The job
was credited to burglars. How they
accomplished the deed was mystery,
as the safe had apparently not been
disturbed.
All said the guilty ones should be
found and it was j. Web Lewis that
called meetings Of the citizens.
"You must take immediate steps to
robbed this county," he declared,
grandiloquently. at is demanded in
the interest of public honor. You
should Immediately offer reward and
hire detectives. Prompt action is i'm
perative if you would keep the reputa
ton of Edmunds county unsullied."
Acting upon his stirring appeal, the
citizens accordingly offered a purse of
81, 500 and sent for detective. When
he arrived he was introduced to j.
Web Lewis as the citizen who had
taken most interest in the case.
Lewis confidentially informed the
detective whom he suspected of the
robbery and put the sleuth on the trail
of his townsman. The detective, how
ever, found some things that made him
suspicious.
Lewis told the detective he was go
ing to Minneapolis on business. The
detective took the next train, and
found Lewis had visited number of
Minneapolis banks and exchanged a
quantity of gold, of the denominations
taken, for currency.
When Lewis returned to Ipswich the
detective walked into the bank.
We'll, I've found my man. he an
naunced, leisurely.
THAT so?" Come in and tell me
about it," replied Lewis, leading him
into his private Office.
'Now, when do you expect to make
the arrest?" Lewis asked.
cat this moment, Mr.. Lewis. You
are the man"
Lewis was truly amazed. He grew
indignant and stormed, but to no avail
Finally the evidence secured against
him was revealed and he confessed to
the crime he had attempted to lay at
the door of his townsman.
Lewis gave bonds of $1,000, then fled
to Canada and forfeited them. James
w. McCarter became county attorney
in January, 1908, and last October
learned Lewis was in Edmunton, N.
w. T.
A requisition was secured from Gov.
Herreid land then one by President
Roosevelt upon the British govern
ment. On Nov 3 Lewis was arrested
in Edmonton. He was given a hearing
before Chief Justice Sifton on Nov. %,
and was committed for extradition.
On Dec. 81 the warrant was issued
by the minister of justice in Canada.
but Lewis appealed to Judge Scott at
Edmonton for writ Of habeas corpus.
This was promptly denied, and Lewis
appealed to the supreme court. In the
meantime Lewis is dangerously sick
in his cell at Edmonton, worn out by
his long fight.