Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1909-03-28
NlCk OSWALD'S
CONFID ENTAIL
MAN CAPTURED
w. L. VETTER ARRESTED AS HE
WAS BOARDING CAR
AGENT OF RULER OF TENDERLoIN
UNeosoMs HIMSELF
Tells Detectives Of District Attor-
ney's Office Much That Will Be
Helpful to Investigation Of
Present Grand Jury

w confidential agent OF Nick Os
~ wald, erstwhile ruler of tn,
redlight district, the man who is sale
ment Of which protected the denizenl
of that locaIlty from prosecution, wa,
arrested at Sixth and Main streets G
short time, after o'clock yesterday
afternoon by Samuel l.. Browne, heaC
of the bureau of criminal investigation
for the district attorneys Office, ant
Paul Mccormick, deputy district at
torney, to whom has been assigned the
work of investigating matters being
inquired into by the present specia
grand jury.
Vetter was on the point of boarding
Pasadena bound car when arrested
He was taken at once to the district
attorneys Office, where he was closeted
in. Mr.. Brownies room and unbosomed
himself of much information which Is
expected to be of material benef1t tc
the grand jury in it's present work.
Later he was taken to Justice Steph-
ems court, where the complaint, charg-
ing him with criminal conspiracy In
attempting to evade service of sub
poena to appear before the grand jury
was filed. bonds We're fixed at $1,000
which were furnished Immediately, the
American Bonding company. by it's at
torney, f. J. Hughes, acting as surety
Vetter will appar again in Justice
Stephens court at 2 o'clock Monday,
when the date for his preliminary ex-
animation will be set.
Oswald Still at Large
Oswald is still at large, but the be-
lief is expressed he will be In custody
within twenty-four hours; that immu-
nifty will be offered him IL he makes q
clean breast of past transactions In
the tenderloin; and, after his accept
ance of this consideration, his release
on bonds will follow.
If 1t is possible to communicate with
the members of the grand jury in the
intervening time, a meeting of that
body will be held Tuesday, and 1t Is
probable both vetter and Oswald Will
be witnesses that day.
Vetter reached Los Angeles Friday
night, but officers are reticent con-
cerning his whereabouts prior to that
time and since the time he left the city
hurriedly two weeks ago. Haunts
which he naturally would visit have
been watched since his disappearance,
and 1t was comparatively short time
after his arrival that Detective Browne
was notified Vetter was in town.
yetter spent the night at the United
States hotel. conducted by oneSof Os-
wald's relatives. The fact he vas about
to go to Pasadena was communicated
to the district attorneys office early in
the afternoon, and at 2:30 o'clock the
detective and Deputy Mccormick left
the International Savings Bank build
ing, going to Sixth and Main streets.
vetter. Arrested
A half hour later later Vetter ap-
peared and was placed under arrest.
oh - m
even If he wanted to do so, as three
officers from Brownies Office were
standing nearby ready to follow If he
started TO run.
Browne, Mccormick and vetter went
to the formers office in the Interna-
tional Savings Bank building. and here,
1t is understood, Vetter gave informa-
tion which proved to the deputy that
he will become a valuable witness to
the grand jury. A half hour later the
trio left the office and went to Justice
Stephens court, corner of New High
and Franklin streets. Justice Stephens
was in waiting having received sum-
mons to be on hand, and Vetter was ar
raigned in the office of the court clerk.
The bond of $1,000 was signed by +. j..
Hughes, attorney for the American
Bonding company, and Vetter was re-
leased.
Oswad's associate manifested no
fear regarding the outcome of the pro-
ceedings on the conspiracy charge or
his Appearance as witness in the
grand jury room. He was dressed
neatly in dark blue, the only evidence
he has recently neglected his personal
appearance being observable in q pair
of soiled cuffs and a faded carnation
in the lapel of his coat.
Refused to Talk
When asked concerning his move
ments since he disappeared two weeks
ago vetter refused to give any infor-
nation.
"Never mind where I've been,' he
said. "Tia Juana is beautiful place,
but that does not prove I've been
there"
.'sDo you know where Oswald is?"
he was asked.
'I refuse to talk on any subject"
he replied.
Although vetter would not talk for
publication, 1t is understood he was
more than voluble during the confer
ence in Detective Brownies office. From
statements made by him the officers
now feel positive they can place their
hands on Oswald at almost any time.
That the former king of the tenderioin
is within ten miles of Los Angeles is
not denied, and 1t is surmised he only
awaits the confirmation of. immunity
assurance to make Lis appearance,
give bonds and place himself in readi-
ness to respond to a grand jury sum-
mons. Vetter's purpose in going to
Pasadena, it is believed, was to get
into close communication with Os-
V Id, whose retreat is said to be in
the mountains.
The grand jury will meet again
Tuesday morning. unless 1t Is found
impossible to communicate with the
nineteen members of the body in the
meantime. That further indictments
will be returned after the jurors hear
the Oswald and Vetter stories there
seems not the slightest doubt. and
the only puzzling question looming up
to disturb the equanimity Of several
citizens of Los Angeles concerns the
identity of the man or men agains.
whom charges will be made.