The Washington herald., 1907-07-04

Pittsfeld. Mass. July "A Nassscbu-
setts officer is enjoying the distinction TO-
night or having been the man 10 hunt ont
the elusive John D. Rockefeller and serve
upon him the summons 20 appear before
Judge Lands in Chicago Saturday. Dep
uty United States Marshal Charles I.
Frink, Of North Adams. turned the trick.
and he did it in such a neat fashion that
he won even the admiration Of the oil
king
Defeated in a first attempt TO serve the
process, Frink quietly disappeared. gave
the impression that he had left town.
then slipped out TO TacUuic Farm and
found his man sitting out on the piazza
with his son-in-law.- f. Parmalee Prem
tice, who, by his smooth evasions, had
kept Mr.. Rockefeller's pursuers at bay
FOR nearly week. MIR. Rockefeller ac-
cepted the summons and treated the Off
Ger with friendliness.
Frink came 10 PIttsfeld late last even
ing from North Adams. and retired
promptly to a room at the Hotel Wen
dell At 1:20 this morning Deputy Mar
shal James c. Ruhl, Of Boston. arrived
and went 10 bed al the same hotel re-
fuSiag all information 10 reporters.
The officers had an early breakfast to-
day, and. after a consultation with the
chief OF police. entered a carriage and
drove out to Taconic farm. followed by
a number Of reporters.
Really, I've Nothing to say"
Mr.. Prentice was at breakfast when the
party arrived. but came quickly 10 the
door. which he shut behind him a $ he
came out on the porch. He was asked il
Mr.. Rockefeller was there, and gave his
stereotyped answers.
Really, l have nothing TO say"
He made the same reply when asked
if NIr. Rockefeller was in Massachusetts,
and the officers. seeing that nothing
could be obtained from him. drove back
20 the city. Ruhl took the next train TO
Boston, and Frink dropped out Of sight
SO completely that DE fooled the report
ers. who thought he had given UP and
gone home. But he hadn't
Shortly before 3 o'clock this afternoon
he drove out West street again. alone
this time, and with a clear field He
drove into the grounds Of the Prentice
villa and pushed his horse rapidly along
the half-mile drive TO the house Com
ing out from behind the trees which line
the drive. he saw Mr.. Prentice sitting on
the veranda with an elderly man. whom
he knew at a glance to be Rockefeller.
He mounted the steps SO quickly that be-
fore either man could rise he was stand
ing before them.
rs this Mr.. Rockefeller" he asked.
The old man looked al Frinks six feet
three of Drawn and muscle, and with a
sickly smile replied in the affirmative.
I have 4 summons for you, sir, and
Frink handed him the paper
Hoped to Avoid the Trip"
Rockefeller took it, glanced at it care
lessly. and said:
Il had hoped to avoid this trip 10 Chi
cago just now, but I suppose I shall have
TO 60 I have avoided the marshals, as
hoped that my attorneys would secure
modification Of the order compelling me to
appear in Chicago, but" and the old
man smiled quizzically, Il see you are
not a marshal TO be avoided"
He then invited Frink to take a chair
Mr.. Prentice handed him cigar, and the
officer and his rich victim had a cordial
chat for fifteen minutes Mr.. Rockefeller
said that he came to Pittsheld last Thurs
day. just as the newspapers Stated; that
he left on Friday for a brief trip to New
York, and came back Saturday. leaving
the train at an outlying station and com
ing on by automobile. He seemed 10
take a great liking to the gentlemanly
officer and cordially invited him to be his
guest should he ever be in the vicinity OF
any of his estates or in New York.
He shook hands with FTink as the lat
ter left him. and jokingly remarked that
since the papers had TO be served, he
was glad that Frink was the man TO
serve them FTink in explanation of his
second attempt, said that the evasive
answers given by Mr.. Prentice this morn
ing aroused his suspicious and he became
impressed with the fact that something
was being hidden. He determined 10 try
it again and success awaited him at last
4 In Carte Lunch Served Daily