The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-01-27
DOES NOT FORGET
Alexander McMichael Tells of
Success at Swindling.
Remarkable Memory for Faces
Saved Him From Arrest.
TRAILED BY OFFICERS
Trouble at Philadelphia to
Dodge Them.
Explains His Operations at
Cleveland, Ohio.

Although his capture came in Topeka.
after he had operated in many larger
cities, Alexander McMichael, the swind-
Ter, had some close calls and several
times narrowly escaped arrest. Even
in Topeka he out-talked Detective Per-
ney, and as he says, had he known the
way out Of town, would hardly have
been arrested. His failure to find a
way out Of Topeka kept him in town
until apprehended at $50 o'clock Tues
day afternoon.
McMichael freely discusses his past
and enjoys telling of how he has fooled
officers. At the city Jail this morning
he told the officers just where they were
located while they were seeking him,
where he passed them on the street, the
moves they made and how he avoided
them from time to time.
His remarkable memory Of faces
helps McMichael He seems never 10
forget them nor where and under what
circumstances he saw them Strange
policemen who were in the chase the
day he was arrested he remembers per-
fectly, and he places each mans part in
the chase in a way that astonishes the
DRY, and seldom forgets a face, and he
has all the confidence in the world in
himself.
His First Escapade.
81 knew I was. just as smart as they
were,'' he said, telling of his escape
from the Cleveland authorities.
McMichael had rather close call in
Cleveland. Stopping at a leading hotel
he. gave the proprietor check on
Winnipeg bank. Later he went to the
Cleveland Trust company and deposit
ing a draft for collection drew $50. Re-
L 4-1l L. ~
man to return him the check and he
would pay in cash. The hotel man had
taken the check to the bank and the
bank had promised to wire Winnipeg
to learn if the check was all right. Nc
Michael told the hotel man to get the
telephoned the bank of his request.
Meanwhile McMichael had deposited a
draft for collection with the bank, and
had drawn some money.
He expected to leave for Pittsburg in
the afternoon and after checking his
grip at the hotel went to the home of a
woman whose acquaintance he had
formed, and returned to the hotel in q
taxicab for his grip, the woman with
him. While checking his grip the CASH
| Ter of the bank appeared and told
| him that he believed the draft was all
right, still he would like security If
some kind until they heard from Win
| nipeg McMichael told the cashier he
Euclid avenue, that he would leave
him his check for his grip and $50 and
bring him personal security for the
amount in half an hour. He took the
woman home, caught trolley car and
left for Pittsburg by way of a suburban
station.
Pittsburg Was Easy.
At Pittsburg he went at once to the
First National bank, the biggest bank,
he says, west Of New York. deposited a
draft and drew $50 and buying another
suit case, some shirts, collars, etc, left
for New York.
On the train he saw that he was be-
ing watched. The man watching him
first appeared. he says, wearing a stiff
hat, and red tie. Next he came
through the car wearing soft hat and
a green tie. Next time he had changed
his hat, wore the same tie and another
overcoat. His shadower stood on the
platform in the rear of the car and
watched him. To make sure he was be-
ing watche. McMichael says he left the
train at several stations and each time
the alleged detective left the train also.
Before reaching Philadelphia Nc
Michael says woman entered the
car and, although there were plenty
of seats, sat down beside him and
began conversation He told her he
was travelling for whisky house
and after more conversation she told
him of a friend who had done up"
a Pittsburg bank. He at once con-
Guided she was working with the de-
tective and there was nothing doing
along the line of bank discussion. He
knew no more about a bank, than he
did about South America.
Arriving at Philadelphia McMich-
ael left the train and the detective
left it also. He conversed. according
to McMichael, with two more men,
supposed to be plain clothes men. At
ter asking the conductor what time
the train left for New York McMich-
ael announced his intention to sit
in the waiting room for awhile. En-
tering the waiting room he saw his
shadowers watching from across the
hall. Leaving his grip in the seat he
went into the toilet room. The
Shadows watched the grip. Nc