Evening star., 1908-01-20
ARTHUR KEMP RETURNS HOME
FORMER POLICE OFFICIAL
BROUGHT HERE IN CUSTODY.
Given Liberty on Bail-Hundreds of
Friends at Railroad Station
to Extend Welcome.

After an absence Of seven months from
this city as a fugitive. James Arthur
Kemp. indicted for the unlawful taking of
about $4,000 from the police department
while he was employed as its chief clerk.
returned yesterday afternoon in custody
of Detectives Charles A. Evans and
Thomas B. McNamee. The detectives
were serving under temporary appoint
ment as deputies to the United States
marshal for the southern district of
Louisiana.
kemp's homecoming was in the ma
ture of an ovation, hundreds of his friends
being at the Union station to greet him.
and assure him of their good will. His
son. Lee Kemp, and a brother in law
were among those at the station. The
meeting between father and son was af-
fecting. Attorney Samuel V. Hayden was
also on, hand.
Deputy Marshal James sprngmann, as
signed to take charge of the prisoner, hur-
ried in a carriage with him to the court
house as soon as he was able to get
the crowd. Mrs. Indiana Kemp,
mother of the accused, had already af-
fixed her signature to the bond, and it
required only few minutes for Clerk
Mckee to accept the recognizance and OBJ
tain the signature of the defendant to the
paper. Kemp then left the courthouse
with friends and proceeded to the home Of
his mother. 237 10th street northeast. 1t
was the first time he had seen his mother
and sisters for more than seven months.
The welcome extended him was more than
cordial.
Glad to Get Home.
Kemp said he was glad to get back
home and be relieved of the terrible sus-
pense under which he had lived since he
left here the morning of July 3 last. 1t
was not until Christmas day, while eating
dinner alone in Cincinnati. he explained,
that he had experienced a real desire to
return. The accused refrained from dis
cussion of his case or plans, his coun-
sci. Attorneys Birney & Hayden, having
advised him not to make statement. He
even declined to be interviewed by the
two detectives. who are his close personal
friends, telling them on their arrival in
New Orleans that his counsel had already
advised him what to do. There were many
Of the police force at the rail-
road station to greet Kemp, some friends
having gone over to Alexandria and rid
den to this city with him.
Kemp. denied that he had given out an
interview while in New Orleans. and was
careful to say he had never said he had
New York. He did confirm the state
ment that he had been in New York. and
that he had found employment In a de-
partment store, where he received promo
tions and was receiving a good salary.
and left there in a hurry because he sus-
pected man had become aware of his
identity. At the time he. left his place
Of employment. he stated the firm owed
him a weeks salary.
1t was the day. after Christmas when
he reached New Orleans Why he went
there he did not know. He was getting
20 cytn a
,ould, and he went to the Crescent city
With no particular object in view. While
there he visited the race track. and saw
/ number Of persons from Washington.
out. they did not recognize him.. The
wife Of horse. owner from this city oc-
,upied seat next to him on the grand
stand one day. but although she had been
acquainted with him In this city before
his flight she did not remember him. In
New York. he said. he also saw several
Washingtonians. but none of them seemed
20 recognize him.
Christmas Causes Longing.
when Christmas day approached"
< emp said. II was more anxious than
ever tc return to Washington. During
al nay life l had not missed being at
Christmas dinner with my family.
thought I would 60 to Alexandria and
then come to this city on the electric
cars. but I could not make up my mind
to do So
On reaching New Orleans. Kemp stated.
he went to a hotel and registered un-
der a fictitious name. being assigned to
I room adjoining one occupied by man
from Cincinnati. He had met the latter
On the train. and they were together dur
ing the few days he was in New Orleans.
The day Kemp reached New Orleans he
saw l.. j. Brennan, an ex-policeman from
this city. but 1t was not until several
days later that Brennan recognized him.
Kemp said he had about $50 when he
reached New Orleans. but at the time
Of his arrest he had only a small part
Of that money left, and he was standing
against a post under the grand stand
about surrendering to the police
when he was pointed out to detective.
Brennan and the detective went with him
to police headquarters. where he was
turned over to Inspector Whitaker.
1t was due to Kemps familiarity with
police matters that the New Orleans
police were able to facilitate matters.
He recalled the day of his departure
and the date the circulars were issued.
case should be taken before n United
States commissioner instead Of his be-
ing held in the police station. Being
made federal prisoner. he understood.
would take him out Of the hands of
the police and give him into the Gus
tody of the marshal. This arrange
ment resulted in his being brought
back here under conditions which OBJ
waited the necessity Of his going to
police headquarters and coming in con-
tact with those who had been so closely
with him during the past
few years While in New Orleans.
Kemp says. he was offered several po-
sitions. but he declined. although one
place would have taken him to the
back woods. where he could rre badly
have remained without fear Of detec-
ton. The position was caretaker on
a big plantation
Kemp's features were changed. al.
though, he stated. he had not Deen Ill
before he reached New Orleans. The
long ride to this city, the change In
diet and nervousness contributed 20 the
result that when he reached the Union
station yesterday he was SO weak he
could hardly walk.
OF the reward of 500 offered for the ar
rest of Kemp. 1t is stated. the New Or
leans detectives will receive 500 and the
remaining 500 will be paid to Brennan,
the former policeman in this city.
Although not feeling well, Kemp was
able to visit his attorney this morning and
discuss the case with him.