The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1907-12-26
ARREST P. 0. BURGLAR
U. S. Marshal Arrests LICE Edwards
at Linwood, Mo-, and Claims lie
Robbed Decatur P0stoffiCe.

When the postoHice at Decatur City
was robbed couple of weeks ago Of
over 5000 in cash and stamps which
were taken from the safe, the burglar
unlocking the store dore and also work.
ing the combination on the safe, there
were some ugly rumors started in and
around Decatur City, as it was supposed
to be the work of some person in that
vicinity, several parties having the
combination to the safe besides Post
master Bear. AS stated at the time the
postoffice authorities leave nothing un-
done to follow up and prosecute any
person who steals from the postoffice
department, and a special officer has
been investigating the Decatur case.
Saturdays Des Moines Register and
Leader has the following account of the
arrest of Lige Edwards, alias Charles
Munson, at Linwood, Mo-, charged with
the robbery, and he is now in Jail at
Des Moines, awaiting trial, having en-
tered plea of not guilty when his hear
ing was held Saturday:
Lige Edwards, alias Charles Munson,
alial "Dutch," supposed to be the man
who robbed the Decatur City postofice
last week, was captured at Linwood,
Mo-, by Deputy United States Marshal
G.. E. Bidwell Thursday night and
brought to Des Moines yesterday. The
federal authorities regard Edwards ar
rest as one of the most important in
many months, for he is known to be a
desperate character. He pleaded not
guilty before Commissioner Macarthur
yesterday afternoon, but asked for an
attorney and will be given formal
hearing at 10 o'clock this morning.
The postoffice at Decatur City, which
is located in the jewelry store of W. s.
Bear, was broken into week ago last
Monday night. A large quantity of
stamps, considerable sum in cash and
a gold watch belonging to Postmaster
Bear were taken. Deputy Marshal Bid
we'll went out on the case week ago
Wednesday. He secured clew, and on
Thursday left for Ottumwa, where he
learned that Edwards had disposed Of
a quantity of stamps. He traced his
man to several towns in southern Iowa
and northern Missouri, and finally To-
Gated him at Linwood, where Edwards
lives part of the time with woman
who he claims is his wife.
Bidwell secured Sheriff Wardlow of
Schuyler county and went to the wo-
mans house Thursday evening. They
knocked at the door and she appeared.
When they inquired if Mnnson was at
home she replied that she would find
out, and closing the door started back
into the house. The two officers pushed
open the door and followed the woman
into an adjoining room, where they
caught Edwards as he was making for
the bed. Under the pillows were con-
cealed two big revolvers, and fortunate
ly for the officers they nabbed him be-
for he reached his weapons. A thorough
search of the house failed to bring te
light any Of the stolen property.
Deputy Marshal Bidwell took nc
chances with his prisoner but kept hin
heavily handcuffed all the way to Del
Moines. Edwards has served term il
the penitentiary for robbing the depo1
at Moulton, Ia, and he was arrested To-
completely in the big bank robbery a
Centerville some time ago.
| In March, 1905, Edwards was arrested
on charge of robbing the Udell bank
At that time he was brought to De-
Moines, where Detectives McNutt ant
Johnston took his photograph and meas
urements under the Bertillion system
When shown the photograph last nigh
Edwards admitted that he was the man
He was not convicted at that time how
avar