The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-12-08
FOR HIS MOTHER.
Said That Leonard Connors Made
Sacrifice of Himself.
Family Threw the Topeka
Officers OF the Track.
GOES BACK 10 PRISON !.
Connors Gives Himself Up and
Mother May Get Reward.
Denies He Had Anything to Do
With DeSotO Affair.

Did Leonard Connors desert from
the United States army at Fl. Leaven-
worth In order that his sick and des-
titute mother might get the $50 re-
ward offered by the government for
the capture of deserters?
This is the idea which is suggested
by Topeka officers who are interested
in the case.
Connors was in the military prison
at TT. Leavenworth, awaiting trial by
courtmartial on an old offense. He
knew that his mother was sick and in
need He escaped from his guards
at S:45 a. m. Dec. 5, ana arrived in
Topeka Friday. Dec. Z. He went TO
MS mothers home, at EOS Harrison
street. where he was informed that he
was suspected OF the assault on Zoe
Heckert. the De Soto operator of the
santa F'e railway, which occurred the
night Of Dec. 5. He at once placed
himself in the hands of C. H. Ken
nedSt, plumber who boards with his
mother, and was taken back to Leav-
enworth by Kennedy after staying
with his mother only five hours
Kennedy claims the $50 reward, and it
is said the money will go to Mrs. Con-
nOrs, the mother.
Mrs Connors and her daughter
threw the Topeka OFFICERS off the track
OF Leonard Connors by claiming that
they We're no relation of the escaped
prisoner. This was the statement
made to a State Journal reporter and
to police officers who called at the
Conner home on Friday.
Connors got away from his home,
and was his way back to prison be-
fore the call Of the local officers, who
were com pletely nniSled. although thew
had known Mrs. Connors, mother of
the escaped prisoner, and quit look
ing for him. Connors was not hidden
in the house, but had been a few hours
previously, and the family. wishing to
give him a chance to get back to the
fort with Kennedy, who had him i'll
charge, threw the information hunters
off the track.
Mrs. Connors. who has been serious
" i'll for some time with stomach
trouble, is suffering from the reaction
of worry and excitement attending her
sons visit. and cannot leave her bed.
She had read of the escape of her son,
and the subsequent suspicion that he
had assaulted and robbed the girl
operator at DeSot0= before he came
home He professed Ignorance of the
crime. and said he only came home to
see his mother because he heard she
was sick.
Since his enlistment in the army at
Oklahoma City two years ago, Connors
deserted on one former OCCASION and
was arrested by the police at Horton.
To avoid similar experience, he
readily agreed to return 10 the fort in
company with Kennedy, and as his
prisoner.
Kennedy got back from Leaven-
worth last night, after delivering his
prisoner, and was interviewed at the
Conner house this morning.
The boy was not here more than
five hours" said Kennedy. He got
here some time after midnight, and
started back with. him on the plug in
the morning. His family was badly
upset by his visit, and I suppose it
was to protect Mrs. Conner from fur
Their worry that the officers and others
were sidetracked.'
When asked concerning Connor's
route from Leavenworth to Topeka,
which might prove an alibi for him in
the assault and robbery case at
DeSoto. Kennedy. said: HE says he
didn't know anything about the
DeSoto business until he got here, but
he is not sure which towns he came
through. He paid his fare part of the
way, walked some, and rode without
paying a short distance. but admits
that he got lost and didn't take the
most direct route
This morning the police received a
tardy communication from the COM
manding officer of the guard house t
Leavenworth, in which the police are
asked to look out for and arrest Leon
ard Conner. who escaped while being
held ION a serious charge" A reward
of $50 was Offered for his capture. I'm