Los Angeles herald., 1907-12-19
FROM
LOS ANGELES
GETS WALKER
EMBEZzLER TRIES TO KILL
HIMSELF WHEN TRAPPED
ROBBED BAPTIST CHURCH OF
$4,000
Cashier of New Britain, Conn, saw.
insc Bank, on Whose Head Bio
Price Has Been Set, Is
Finally Taken
By Associated Press.

BY Associated Press
NEW YORK. Dec. 1s-The Pinkerton
detective agency in this city Confirmed
tonight the reort that William E. Walker.
The absconding treasurer of the New
Britain, Conn, Savings bank, had been
captured iii Eii5aIiada, Lower California;
Positive Identification has been made and
Walker has consented to return to Con-
necticut without resort to extradition
papers.
A small VIAL which is supposed to con-
tain poison, was taken from him. sAlso a
revolver was taken from him after he had
made desperate attempt to use it on
himself.
Walker was arrested in mining camp
LOO miles from Ensanada, which is Mexi-
can territory, yesterday. He was taken
by representative of the detective
agency at Los Angeles, assisted by a
party of Mexicans. The prisoner was
taken to Ensanada, where his identifca-
ton was confirmed. He will be taken to
San Diego and brought east at once.
Recognized by Consul
The arrest of the former banker was
brought about indirectly by Information
furnished to officials of the New Britain
Savings bank by the United States consul
at Ensanada.
The consul had seen tho pictures of
walker sent broadcast after his disap-
pearance and recognized the fugitive
when he appeared some time ago in
Ensanada
Before his capture could be effected
walker apparently suspecting that his
identity was known fled to the mountains
in the vicinity of Ensanada After wan
dering about for some time he found
shelter at the mining camp, to which he
was traced.
Meantime Assistant Superintendent
Hoffman of the Los Angeles Office Of fhe
detective bureau had been put on fhe
tran, and, enlisting the aid of several
Mexicans familiar with the region. he
ran down the absconder. The fact that
the posse was searching for Walker be-
came known and led to premature reports
of his capture.
Walker, when confronted by the Off
GERS admitted his identity and agreed to
return east without raising legal oh
stacles. Further than this he had little
to say. 4
what | have to say I will say when
l am back in New Britain. was his
reply to inquiries concerning his theft
and subsequent flight. Walker is in fair
ly good health and does not appear to
have suffered so much as might have
been expected.
Reward of $4,000
A reward of $4,000 had been offered for
Walker if taken alive and $1,000 for his
dead body if found.
Walker is 81 years old and had long
held an enviable position in the business
social and church circles of New Britain
On February 10 he disappeared and soon
afterward 1t was discovered that s665 Oo0
worth of securities had been stolen from
the bank.
Walker was also treasurer of the Con
necticut Baptist convention, and after
hi Atsr,f IL 49,
conventions funds had been stolen AT
meeting of the convention at Putnam.
Conn.,, on October 15 last it was an
nounced that Walkers shortage had been
made up by others. Walker had been
one of the most prominent Baptists in
the state and at the convention a prayer
for his ultimate salvation was offered.
Walkers disappearance was first be-
lieved to have been due to mental de-
rangement following sickness. For some
time previous he had suffered from kid
ney troubles and was in the habit of
making frequent trips to this city for
medical treatment.
At least this was the understanding of
his family, though 1t was afterward al
legged that he came to New York and
had business dealings with others, who
succeeded in stealing from him money
which he had taken from the bank
1t was said later that he became in
volved with a gang of wire tappers and
that he was induced to use securities OF
the bank to raise money for the promo
tiou of Illegal schemes in which he had
become interested.
TeIegraphed to Son
On the Sunday night following his dis
appearance his son in New Britain re-
ceived a telegram from this city saying
that his father had been injured and
removed to a hospital. An inquiry at
police headquarters failed to discover
such an accident as described in the tele-
gram, and the police became convinced
that the message had been sent by
Walker himself.
Walkers son, accompanied by Officials
of the bank. came here that night and
their failure to find Walker led to an
investigation of the institution and the
disclosure of the shortage.
Walker was born in Andover Conn.,
the son of Rev. William c.. Walker, pas
tor Of the First Baptist church at New
Britain during the Civil war. He was
made treasurer of the Savings bank in
1879 He was also director of the New
Britain National bank. His family lives
In New Britain.