The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-03-24

save himself, he never thought OF pc
traying them, which goes to show that
he was a ''staneher' man than Dona
hue and Collins had been led to be
lieve. For some time he endeavored
to maintain his old character with Mr.
Pinkerton; but on the way to Sus-
quehanna, realizing the hopelessness
of his case. he acknowledged the de-
responsibility with the others in the
Susquehanna robbery. He also ad-
mitted his previous criminal record.
At Susquehanna Proctor was placed
in jail to await trial. and there Mr.
Pinkerton visited him some time later.
Something in the prisoners manner
convinced the detective that all was
not as it should be, and he urged the
sheriff to put Proctor in another cell
and search his clothes and his cell
thoroughly This was done, and there
were found a number Of keys that
fitted the locks of various doors IN the
Jail, and also a large key fitting the
gate from the jail-yard into the street.
Proctor's rare mechanical skill had
enabled him to make these keys in his
CELL from impressions furnished him
by q woman who had been allowed to
visit him. Being a good talker, Proc
tor had won this Woman's sym pathy,
and had also made a strong appeal to
her self-interest by promising, on his
escape. to share with her a large sum
of money he had buried.
AT MS lTldl ETOClOE D4GaQeQ guilty.
and was sentenced to II years i'm
prisonment in the penitentiary at
Cherry Hill. Pa. Here, again, he was
caught in the act of making keys to
aid him to escape. He laid various
other plans for regainine his liberty,
indeed, but al were frustrated. His
Imprisonment worked no reform in
him. After he had served out his sent
ence, some burglaries committed n
Maine brought him egain under arrest,
feaE M
from the Massachusetts state prison,
he was taken back 70 that institution.
to serve out his unexpired term.
The United States Express company
/ had not relaxed its efforts against his
/ associates after Proctor's capture.
trea1. we'll satisfied with the work they
/ had done, and thinking themselves safe
] from pursuit. But President Plat in
| structed Robert Pinkerton to take
every measure possible against them,
and it was decided that as Donahue
/ could not be reached and punished for
/ the robbery at Susquehanna, he should
/ be made to suffer for the early robbery
at Quebec already referred to. Dona-
/ huess completely in this robbery was
/ proved by the discovery of a part OF
/ the stolen goods in his hotel at For
Erie. Through the efforts Of the ex-
press company and the Pinkertons he
was now arrested, and on trial was con-
/ victed and sentenced to five years i'm
prisonment In the Kingston peniten-
tiary. After his conviction Donahue
told the detectives that he was fool tc
have had anything to do with such g
dangerous project as an express rob
berry, but that the opportunity at Sus-
( quehanna was so tempting that hs
| could not resist it. After his ares
the express company attached all Of his
/ property. and, although they did no
succeed in getting a judgment agains
him. they fought him in the courts IN.
til his wife. acting for him, was obliged
to mortgage all their possessions up Il
ghe last dollar. SO that they never de.
rived any substantial benefit from the
stolen money.
AS for Collins, he remained a fugi
tive from justice for some time after
the conviction of Proctor and Dona-
hue. Several years later, however
seeing himself constantly threatened
by the express company ana the de
tectives, he decided to placate his enc
mics by stepping out from the ranks
of the lawbreakers and trying to Leaf
an honest life. And he has succeeded
as the Pinkertons have reason t
know; and his case goes to prove wha
IS borne out by wide experience, tha
even the most desperate criminals ar
sometimes capable of genuine reform.