The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-07-24

Nearly two years ago James l. Pun
phrey, a salesman, who was wanted for
embezzlement. disappeared from Wash
lngton. and yesterday he was arrested in
Baltimore, after leading detectives through
a hundred towns and cities in four States.
The chase will go on record as one Of
the most peculiar in the history of the
Central office although IN point Of time
and distance covered by the fugitive it Is
not unusual.
On as many rs twenty occasions the de-
tectives were close behind the fugitive.
with the probability of capturing him at
any moment. out on each occasion Pun
phrey eluded the snare laid for him. or es-
capped by a combination Of good luck and
daring
Mueller Charged Embezzlement.
It was IN October. 1907. that Carl G.
Mueller. I'm the manufacturing business at
S3s Pennsylvania avenue northwest, re-
ported TO the police that an agent had
embezzled $500.
Inspector Robert Boardman detailed
Detectives Evans and O'Dea to the case
BY the time the detectives found clew
to tho whereabouts of Humphrey and
were ready to take the man in custody
he disappeared.
Months passed while detectives shadow
ed his residence in this city. and watched
friends here in the hope OF again picking
up the lost trail, but winter was turning
TO spring when they learned Humphrey
was working IN small town in West
Virginia Evans and O'Dea boarded a
fu ha u fnrr
hous to learn when they reached their
destination that Humphrey had been
warned. resigned his position. and fed.
Long Chase Begins.
Then the chase began. Through West
Virginia. Virginia Maryland. and Penn
sylvania IN big cities and small towns.
led Humphrey. followed by the detectives.
who were sometimes an hour. sometimes a
week behind. The continual chase ex-
hausted the detectives and they took
turns, one resting a week or more, while
the other followed the trail and then
alternating
They learned Humphrey was at work in
Pittsburg and then heard OF him in Cum
berland, Nd. Next he appeared in Ha-
gerstOwn. and from there went 10 Win
chester. Va. He was seen In Brunswick.
Nd. Fredericksburg, Va. and next IN
Charlestown. W Va. To follow the
course taken by Humphrey would be al
most similar to drawing a line from
town TO town IN the four States in which
he beat back and forth on his trail
n June Evans and ODea were given
another tip. They disappeared for a
week but returned to Washington with
the same story FellOw-detectives IN the
Central office grew interested in the man
who could so successfully elude Evans
and O'Dea, known as two OF the shrewd-
est detectives In the city
Caught I'm Detectives Trap,
About a week ago Evans and O-Dea
again found trace of Humphrey, ana
learned ne intended going TO Baltimore.
Instead of starting for the town where
Humphrey was hiding. they remained IL
Washington and waited until be boarded
a train for Baltimore. Then they left for
Baltimore. and arrested him a few min.
utes after he reached the city.
Humphrey consented TO accompany the
detectives TO Washington. lie reached
police headquarters yesterday afternoon
about o'clock with Evans and O'Dea-
and was questioned by Inspector Board
man. Humphrey was removed to the
First precinct station. where he spent the
night in a cell.
= According to the police. he admits the
charge. He was arrested on a warrant
charging the embezzlement Of 1885, but
the police allegc he stole more than 500.
Humphrey is fOrty-fouT years old. and Is
married. He gave his address as 1723
Hanover street Baltimore.