The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-07-31
CRIED IN HIS CELL
Paterson's PrOdIgaI Mayor Is
Filled With Repentance.
Denies That He Took a Large
Amount of Money.
TELLS OF WANDERINGS
Worked on Railroad Grade at
1925 a Day.
Attacked by Rheumatism and
Couldn't Hold a Job.

New York. July 31.-Paterson' Off
Gals are mercifully disposed toward
former Mayor William H. Belcher. who,
returning after months of wandering,
pulled the massive brass announcer on
the door of the county jail yesterday and
said to the Jail keeper:
You know me- Morrison: I want to
come in
He will be arraigned on Friday next
to answer to six indictments for en-
bezzlement. In the papers the amounts
are not declared.
Sobbing in his cell last night, Belcher.
according to today's Herald, said:
L did not take 100000 or anything
like that amount. When left Paterson
I had exactly $780, With this I went 70
Minnesota, and in justice to my wife, !
want to say that at no time has she
known my whereabouts. It was my in
tention to disappear as If I was dead
/ and go to some foreign county, but
made the fatal mistake Of procrastina-
ton.
If I had had more money would
have gone to New York and stayed
there. That's the best hiding place in
the world But man can't work there
and hide, too, and I had to work, so l
went west. I dropped off in Chicago,
but I remained only week. It was ex-
citing to walk around the streets and
pass by policemen who you knew were
on the lookout for you. had my
mustache shaved off and did not fear
capture much.
'Then I made fatal mistake. went
to Minnesota. I won't say what towns
I visited except that St. Paul was one,
but had $500 left and fingered around
looking for something to do. I lost my
wallet one night in the street. was
afraid to 60 to the police about it, and
there I was. 1000 miles away from
friends, from everybody, penniless and
a fugitive 7 went to a railroad office
and asked for work but they could not
give me any. I was desperate and
plea ded for anything. We can give you
a job digging said the man to whom
applied. I jumped at it. That morning
took my place in trench with pick
and shovel and for three horrible weeks
I stayed there. I received $1.25 a day
Then they made me assistant foreman,
nv pay was raised to $3.50 a day and
things looked brighter.
Il stayed there until last January.
working all the winter in the snow and
rain until rheumatism seized me. I
managed to save $3.50 and with it went
to London Canada. I worked at any
thing I could get. but my lame knee was
against me and I could not hold any
position long. At one time sold news
papers. But I always kept enough
money saved so that I could get back
east if I wanted to.
1T was not until June came that I
made up my mind to return. NY knee
was getting worse and I could hardly
hobble around I could not pay for
proper medical treatment and so I made
up my mind to come back
Il landed IN New York on July 20, and
the next day wrote Prosecutor Emley.
] told him was ready to surrender and
that I would return of my own Volt
ton"
''Will you plead guilty when you are
arraigned on F'riday2" he was asked
What are the specific charges2' was
the reply. rs it theft or what is 80
'Embezzlement and forgery" he was
told
Forgery exclaimed Belcher Il
never committed a forgery. That's lie.
I'll not plead guilty to that"
1T was said that your .overconfdence
in friends was primarily the cause of
the trouble it was suggested.
Friends, friends" Belcher muttered
as If TO himself. Il haven't any friends.
I never had any"