The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-06-24
CHARLTON A PRISONER
CLEARS LAKE MYSTERY

the fellow over, but the bank people re-
fused. Then he happened 10 think that
if he could set the young fellow TO write
his name he could compare it with the
signature Of the letter in his pocket. He
ran back 20 where he stood with the
detectives and asked MIN 10 write his
name.
Said He Was Jack Coleman.
Certainly" said TIE boyish-iooking
person. taking the captains pen. and he
wrote his name, Jack Coleman" The
captain noticed that the ~ Of the first
name was pretty much the same sort of
''J'' he had used in the letter
Isn't your name Porter Charlton?''
asked the detectives. but the young fell
low insisted that it was not They told
him, however, that they thought he had
better come along TO the Office of the
chief OF police Charlton at this was
seized with a NJ or nausea This con-
WINGED Capt. Scott he had made no
mistake.
In the chiefs Office they asked him TO
write his name This time he wrote
Porter Charlton"
I thought you said that wasn't your
name" said the chief looking at him
hard.
no. that isn't my name" said the
young fellow, a bit dustered. but
thought you wanted me 10 write that be-
cause that's the name you have been
asking me-"
He wrote a second time Jack Cole
man" That was the name on the pass
enger list.
Finds Name in Suit Case.
Leaving him a minute Chief HAYES
opened one Of the dress suit cases The
| first thing he drew out was a laundry
bag On the bag was a tag. It bore the
name ''P. Charlton" There was some
underwear with the same tag. Rummag-
ing still futher they pulled out some
typewriter pieces of poetry to which
Charlton's full name was signed
How about this?'' said the chief, walk
| ing into the adjoining room where sat
the shaking Charlton and holding I'D the
laundry bag tag. The boy looked for a
second and then it seemed as If he was
about to slide off the chair
well, I'm the man you want" he
said family, while the perspiration rolled
off his face and he shook like leaf.
| ''Will you tell Us about your wife's
death?" asked the chief.
Capt. Scott was standing opposite the
creature clinging 10 the chair who had
| just announced himself as the murderer
Of the captains sister. lie had made no
| move. but was looking at Charlton hard.
| The latter noticed the captain and
cringed
'I'n make a statement" he blurted out,
but not in front of Mr.. Scott there"
The chief took Capt. Scott gently by the
arm. I guess Wen have to ask you to
step aside a minute. captain" he said.
| The captain, who had perfect control of
himself wheeled around and walked out
! of the chiefs inner Office. carrying him.
self like the soldier he IS. The chief
walked out with him.
Outside the chief asked the captain If
he had a revolver. Capt Scott said he
| had. and produced from his hip pocket
the usual army weapon, which he turned
over TO Chief Hayes. He said afterward
that he had brought the gun with him
| simply because he thought he would
nave to board lot Of ships on a strange
errand and that IL might be q good thing
to have along in case any one resented
his mission, but that he had never had
any idea Of using it on Charlton.
Quiet During Investigation.
He remained quietly outside. while
Charlton. in the presence of the chief
and the detectives. made the statement
TO which he signed his name.
Charlton seemed to get his nerves back
after he had admitted that he was his
wife's murderer. He had another III Of
nausea IN the chiefs Office, but later be-
came cool and collected. He watched the
police search his grip with some inter-
est When they pulled out some of the
poetry. he said with show Of pride that
| be had written it himself
They were only some thoughts I had