The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1910-05-06
Crimes of Youth Strip Fame and
Honor From Aged PhilanthrOpiSt
Once a Criminal, Always a
Criminal, is Verdict of
German Judge Against
Chas. May, One Time
Brigand. Who Has Won
Fortune and Respect
After Penal Term.

BERLIN. May 6.-Thc story Of
Chas, May. yesterday one Of the
foremost public men In Germany
today an ontcast from society. a
branded criminal. shorn OF his hon.
ors changed from famous TO imam
ous. rivals IN point ot interest that
Of Jean Vatican. hero Of Huge's
les Misorahles." and In some ways
closely parallels tho life 81 VIM.
January &C. ". kudersonl, the
Kansas City escaped convict
AZ 20. May has been Identified as
the man who some 40 years ago was
a hrigand chief So the Saxon high
lands. the perpetrator Of many
crimes and deeds of violence.
HIS father was weli-tOdo citizen
of Dresden. who gave his son an
excellent education and a careful
INFRINGING TO qualify him 90 enter
tha government service as teacher
IN 4 state school. and az the aga OF
III Young May vas drawing a salary
OF Ss5 month % Instruct the YOUNG
boys Of the district.
Just ut this time his father died
and Charles went 20 lodge with an
old frsend OF the family. Notwtth-
standing the ties binding him to his
host. he stole various articles about
the house and WAS sentenced To six
weeks imprisonment.
On emerging from prison after
this short term. May made no az.
tempt to resume an honest life. lie
plunged more and more deeply Into
crime. At this period he WAS Just
a common burglar and within few
months he was caught entering 4
house and was senterced to four
years penal seryitude.
II was after this that May en-
harked on the romantic period OF
his criminal career. Taking flight
to the mountains and highlands he
established himself as hrigand
chief. Al first he operated single.
handed and carried out many bold
robberses. Generally he left a Eor.
geously decorated proclamation an.
nouncing that Chas- May. monarch
of the highlands. had levied tribute
on his subjects
His picturesque and romantic
personality attracted other young
men, like himself ex-convicts. Grim
finals and outcasts from society. One
by one they enlisted as his follow
ers. MAY possessed absolute author.
fly over bis men and they ooeyed
him without q unurnur. lawless and
undIsciplined AZ they were
The headquarters OF the band
was a cave In the Riesen noun
tains. where they met at regular
intervals and INDUCED In riotous
living on the profits OF their bril-
xandage. They established a vert.
table reign OF terror: they attacked
and sacked farm houses. held up
conveyances. robbed poor peasants
and women. stole horses and cattle.
Their operations were widespread
and always audacious.
The local authorities. unable 10
capture the brigands or to check
their raids. appealed TO the govern
ment for troops TO hunt them down.
Infantry and cavalry were rushed
20 the scene Of operations. and a
persistent chase began tn earnest
Now Chas. May put forth all his
efforts to eiude capture. His dash
and energy and daring were demon
strafed afresh day by day Once.
after the chase had lasted many
weeks. the troops encircled him and
felt sure Of his seizure. but May OBJ
tanned the uniform of gendarme