The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-05-13
AN OLD Timer.
L. Baughner Has Many Crimes
to Answer For.
Forged Check and Horse Steal
ing Charged to Him.
BUT THAT ISN'T ALL.
Answers Description of Nj an Who
Robbed JeWelry Store.
LIS a Dope Fiend and Apparently
irresponsible.
BUT THAT ISN'T ALI

In the arrest of L. Baughner last ev-
ening upon the immediate charge of
passing forged checks. the police think
they have captured the robber of the
Swearingen jewelry store. The man walks
with one shoulder stopped, is tall and
wears the brown suit and light hat as
Dr. Long described the man who broke
the Swearingen window. For more
than a week Detective WonderIy has
camped on the trail of Baughner, find
Ing him to have a half dozen rooming
places about town. slipping from one
TO another after he had seemingly re-
tired Tor the night. He is a cocaine
nend, using the hypodermic needle
from the use of which his skin is full
or holes, many of which have become
infected, presenting a horrible sight.
The surveillance of Baughner was be-
gun week ago after a check for
$3.50 on the Merchants National bank
over the signature of w. A. Best was
passed on the Ridgley Clothing COM
pany. Within "a hours the check was
IN the hands of the police and Detec-
tive Wonderly had taken the trail.
Baughner was found to have lodging
places at the Ohio House, The Annex,
and several places in North Topeka
and from which his movement were
carefully watched. Stewart Henry, the
North town iveryman, reported that
the man had tried to sell him a horse
last week. He was said to be the man
Who sold wheel to Gordon Bros,
pawnbrokers, and another one belong
ing to L. 1. Woods, which he secured
broker Levinson of North Topeka. With
all these suspicious against him the
man was arrested by Detectives Hut
ton and Wonderly last evening.
Taken to the police station and sub
jected to a long sweating the man fin
ally confessed to the thefts of the
wheel and to the forgery of the check
with vain endeavor to excuse his ac-
ton by his terrible craving for the in
f1uence of the coke" which he declares
he must inject every Is minutes or lose
all control of himself. Baughner an
| swers the description of man with
a very similar record at Abilene where
he is supposed to have robbed half
dozen stores, breaking into the win
dows of two Of them much the same
as in the Swearingen case.
After a severe sweating, however, the
dope fiend refused to reveal anything
or talk any more than the findings of
the officers made absolutely necessary.
When he found he had reached the
| limit of the officers knowledge of his
affairs he became steadfastly silent
upon any duplicating subject.
Almost Immediately after his arrest
Baughner asked to be allowed to send
| a letter to Kansas City which the po-
| lice think was meant for his pal. Cues
toned about this man to whom
he wrote, the prisoner was very re-
ticent and tried to withhold as much
as possible, but from the Information
drawn from him his pal partially an
swers the description Of the second
man described by DR.. Long as one OF
the Swearingen robbers. The Kansas
City police have been advised of the
capture here and given information
which may result in locating the pa
there. From what could be sweateo
| from the dope fiend here there has
been some disagreement between
| Raughner and his pal now in Kansas
City and the officers think that he will
finally tell more of his mates where
lahoutS