The Red Cloud chief., 1906-08-10
CONVICT No. 1920

Copyright, 1905. by r. Douglas.1

Copyright, 1906. by r. Douglas.l
We had read all about him before he
appeared at the prison under Il sen
tence of ten years. The daily papers
had said that his name was Salters
and his age about forty. He had taken
rooms at u fashionable boarding house
oil Il certain street in Chicago and let
st be known that he was Il broker. ON
each sido of the boarding house were
private dwellings, and farther down
the street, but to be reached over the
roofs, was Il large art store.
The first thing to happen after the
arrival Of Mr.. Salters. but with which
his nam was not ut all connected, was
the robbery of the art store. Other
, robbcries followed. While the detec-
tives were after the burglar the daily
papers were after the detectives. and
things were being mad hot all around
when the rooms of eleven guests in the
boarding house at which Mr.. Saltcrs
stopped were robbed Oh the same
night.
The house was filed with detectives,
and everybody was examined and
cross examined, but it was no use. The
rooms had been entered and dcSpoiled
while the guests were sleeping.
They were waiting in fear and
trembling for tho next outbreak when
II stupid headed servant girl in the
boarding house solved the puzzle.
From one of the side houses had been
taken an unset catseye stone. This
was found under Mr.. SalterS' bed one
morning when the girl swept the room.
Mr.. Salters was asked to ex-
plain. AS he couldn't explain, he
was traced to another room half Il
mile away and all the plumber found.
He simply laughed when put under ar
rest. He laughed when put on trial.
He had been caught so dead to rights
that he smilingly pleaded guilty and
took his ten year sentence without
moving a muscle.
The police were on to Mr.. Salters
for one of the sleekest chaps in the
business, and they would have given
a great deal to trace his past and have
him answer certain questions. lie
was mum ON all points, however. They
could not trace him back n month,
and, as to how he entered the houses
and rooms and left no trace behind,
that was one of his professional Sc
crets.
When Mr.. Salters reached prison
the first glance at him caused everr-
body TO wonder where they had seen
him before. Face, form, pose and gait
all reminded us of somebody, but who
that somebody was we could not re-
call. Had he not been passed along
to the barber and from thence into
stripes so soon some of us might have
been the wiser. He was quiet and
respectful, and it was figured that he
would make a model prisoner.
After three days he was put at work
in the shoe department, and all re-
ports coming In about him were IA
vorable. At the end of six weeks he
had a chill and was sent to his cell,
and the doctor gave him some medi-
cine. Up to this time the man had
not asked for n book from the library
nor to see the chaplain. Many pris-
oners who had no religious feelings
will ask for the chaplain now and then
In order to have Il talk ana hear Il
human voice. ON this day hat he
was taken i'll Mr.. Salters asked that
the good man be sent to him, and
carried the message. l also noted that
the chaplain remained with convict
NO. 1920 for a full hour, and when
he left the cell and came down the cor
ridor his perturbation did not fail to
attract my attention. He was very
pale and had been weeping.
Prison chaplains- listen to many sad