The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-10-15
HIS WIFE'S LETTER
Diggins Had Better Have De-
stroyed 1t.
Incrimihates Him as Member of
Gang of Diamond Thieves.
is IN TOPEKA JAIL,
Wife Works in Nickel Theatre
at Wichita.
Sent Husband Sc in That Fatal
Letter.

Developments today which followed
| the arrest last night OF Jacob Diggins,
aged %, tend to show that the police
F., here have been successful in capturing
one of an organized band engaged in
the theft of diamonds. The clue con-
tanned in letter written by Diggins'
wife from Wichita where she is cash
Ter in a nickel theater was responsible
for the knowledge that a band is or
ganized for that purpose.
Diggins was arrested last night by
Officer England and taken to police
headquarters. An investigation charge
was lodged against him until this
morning when Chief Eaton and De-
tective Hutton gave him sweating.
This followed an investigation of his
effects which disclosed a letter from
his wife written in Wichita and mailed
to Hiawatha, where Diggins said he
had been working. and where his
wife's parents live. The epistle warned
him against going to Wichita via kan
sas City and contained the admonition
that "They know you were there Tues
day night and are hot on the TRAIL
Further than that the woman said
that on her way to Wichita where she
had gone only recently she succeeded
in finding four chip diamonds and an
opal in the toilet room of the train.
The letter also mentioned the start
that had been made as good one and
warned Diggins to destroy the epistle
as she did not want any of her ac-
quaintances to find out what they were
doing and what were their Intentions
Mention was also made of the boys"
in Kansas City, and in numerous places
suggestions followed with regard to
are largely responsible for the belief
of the authorities that they have cap
tured one of an organized band of dia-
mond thief operatives.
1od hi inc
said that his home was Chicago which
place he left over two years ago He
had been a jockey he said, and when
his leg was broken in a race contracted
the morphine habit in a hospital where
the drug was injected with a hypo-
dermic. DigGins was unable to do
without the drug when he left the SAM
tarium and began it's use in sulphate
form after that, according to his own
statement.
Questioned closely along this line he
broke down and tears streamed from his
eyes. Despite lines of dissipation on
ance and is we'll dressed. When ar
rested . "phony" diamond. and pearl.
the latter of considerable value, We're
found upon hlm.s
The pearl he said was given him some
years ago by a friend. However, the
authorities are not so sure about this
and are Investigating his case thor
oughly. They are of the belief that
while a part of his tale may be true
that is more which is yet to be learned.
Diggins' wife was Marguerite Buckley
of Hiawatha before she married Her
husband claims to have been cook,
and to have worked in Kansas City,
Wichita, Denver. and other surround
ing points. When arrested he had
stopoveT ticket from Hiawatha tol
which he had purchased with
money sent him by his wife. Mention
of Sc enclosure was made in her letter,
and the receipt of the amount was ac-
knowledged by the prisoner.
1t is largely due to the fact that he
did not destroy the letter as his wife
admonished him. that .Diggins is held
here as that epistle furnishes the bulk
of the information on which the police
are holding him pending further in
XeStigatiOn.