Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1906-09-05
STENSLAND CAUGHT;
BETRAYED BY WOMAN
Sultan Will Surrender Fugitive
to Authorities.
ATTORNEY OLSEN MADE ARREST
Chicago Bank Wreoker Pursued to
Other End of the World, Is captur-
ed in Tangiers-confessed Guilt.

Chicago, Sept. A cablegram to
the Chicago Tribune from Tangiers,
Morocco. announces the capture in
that city of Paul 0. Steusland, the
president of the MiIwNGkee avenue
State bank, which closed its doors on
Aug. 6.
The arrest was made by represen-
tative of The Tribune and Assistant
States Attorney Olsen of this city,
who have been on the trail Of Stems
Land since Aug. Is.
AT the office of the states attorney
all information regarding the woman
who had indirectly caused the arrest
was refused. 1t was announced that
Assistant States Attorney Olsen had,
since embarking on the pursuit of
Stensland, posing as the son of "Ol-
sen," the named used by Stensland,
declaring that he was anxious 10 over
take his father" who was travelling
just ahead of him.
Mr.. Olsen had since embarking on
the pursuit of Stensland, posing as the
oOh VI SlSSli thS AebAuS uSSu ny
Stensland, declaring that he was anx-
ious to oyertake his father" who was
travelling just ahead of him.
AS Stensland made no effort to con-
ceal his trail, the following was not
difficult.
Paul Stensland's confession, made
to Assistant States Attorney Olsen
clears up much of the mystery sur
rounding the events leading up to the
crash which involved Nle ruin Of the
Milwaukee avenue bank. He took
much Of the blame upon himself, but
declared Cashier Herring was the forg-
er and that Herring got most OF the
money. He eXonerated his son, The
odore, and the bank directors. He
declared that he never spent more
than $4,000 a year himself, and that
all the money he stole he put into
real estate with the hope of making
good"
Stensland also said that he had
made up bis mind to zee on the third
preceding the Sunday on which he
left Chicago. All Wednesday night
he wrestled with the problem to blow
out his brains or run. IN the hours
Of darkness he decided to kill him
self, but postponed the act until dawn,
and with the sunlight came the pri-
NAL instinct to hold on to life, and
flight won over death. His prepa-
TatiOns were hurried. He had sur
rendered his life insurance policy for
$4,000 and had received $4,000 as com
mission on che sale of the property
of the cooperative store to the North
western Life Insurance company,
which had held a mortgage lien on
the premises. He drew $1,000 as sal
ary from the Mount OHve Cemetery
association. This was all the money
ne had taken with him.
why, with a million dollars of
cash in the bank, did you not take
more?"
Il could have taken quarter of a
million dollars without trouble" said
he, but did not want to. / never
took one cent of cash from the bank
and put 1T in my own pocket. l nev-
er took dollar belonging to other
people"
Stensland made no attempt to de-
ny his guilt, and only tried to mini.
miEe 1t. His confession began with
g. statement that he was surprised to
learn that the total loss involved in
the banks failure would reach $4,000
000 He said
Il cannot understand how the short
age can be $2,000,000 To my certain
knowledge, my liability to the bank
does not exceed $500,000.
my indebtedness began a long time
ago, in 1896. 1t was small amount
at first and God knows never intend
ed to steal. l was in a tight hole
and needed money I put my own
note, genuine, not q forgery, in the
box. Then It was suggested to me
that the bank examiner would stand
for it and he did"
who suggested it?
Herring. 1t was the beginning. He
pointed out, in roundabout way at
first, that it was easy to obtain money
that way. Then when my notes be.
came too numerous, he suggested the
forgerieS."
How many Of the forgeries did you
do yourself?
Not one. Herring, / think, did
ALL"