Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1910-10-06
box contalnlng the ;ewels -wltaout Ie-.

as one wanted for q former offense
and was arrested. This has spoiled
the game. Taggart was to have sailed
on the ship Pequot on date that
should bring him into this harbor with
in q few days. The European govern
ment has offered a reward of $4,000
for the recovery Of the jewels. Inter
cept Taggart and you viii have been
repaid for your kindness to me and
my husband"
On the receipt of this information
John Brainard suddenly became new
man. IL he could secure this reward
he would be able to lift those de-
pendent on him from suffering to com,
fort
That was day when ocean liners
came over under canvas and required
some thirty days to make the. transit.
Had the matter occurred today John
Brainard might have feared that some
one acting under information receir
by cablegram would get ahead of h. 80
But there were no cablegrams int use
days, and if criminal secured an o.
barkation he was pretty sure tha 10
What Brainard had to conside' vas
to make good his capture with 1T CIV
ing away his information to any one.
He succeeded in getting himself ap-
pointed a deputy constable. then went
down New York bay to quarantine
and waited for the arrival of the man
and the jewels In Il few days the
eli -n m
confirmed Mrs. Nolan's story Still,
John had been twice duped by Grim
inals. and he was not yet sure but that
new trap had been laid for him.
Brainard made the acquaintance of
the health officer whose business it
was to board incoming vessels and
secured his permission 10 go with him
when he made his inspection of the
Pequot. His informant had given him
a description of TagGart He was
small. thicksct and an especial mark
on him was the absence of q part of
one ear, which he had lost in a fight
with the French police When the
Pequot moared the quarantine station
boat bearing yellow flag. the doc
lie
pulled out 10 her and the two climbed
a ladder that had been placed for
them over the ships side. Then the
former made his medical inspection.
while John began to inspect the pas.
sengers.
The work was not as arduouS then as
it would be among the several thousand
persons coming in on an ocean liner
today. There We're but twenty in all.
John saw no one on deck answering
the description Of his quarry, and on
asking the purser if there We're no
more the officer counted noses and
said that one man was missing. Johns
face fell. Had Taggart escaped? Ali
| hands were started on hunt, and q
| short. thickset man with one ear near,
| ly gone was dragged out of the hold
| where he had gone to escape observa,
! tion till he might find an opportunity
| to step ashore
John showed his badge and made
the arrest, Since there was no tel.
egraph by which he could summon as.
| sistance on his arrival ut the slip where
| the ship was to be docked he was
| obliged to wait till he came within
sight Of the Battery. Then the cap,
tain sent the message by signal. As
soon as the ship was docked John
turned his prisoner over to the police
and his effects were placed in bond
| In a hatbox with false bottom the
| jewels were found.
1t was months before John received
the reward for his capture. but in time
So, 1000 was paid him.
| Meanwhile he had been quietly
| working upon the matter nearest bis
heart, his vtndication, and the day aft.
! er the payment OF the money Huyser
& Co. were sued for false imprison-
| ment and their books placed in the
care of a custodian appointed by the
court. Then Mr.. Huyser sent for John
to come and see him.
| "What does this charge mean" ask,
ed the head of the firm.
1T means that you imprisoned an
| innocent man, who mt the time knew
| not which way to- turn to exonerate
| himself He is now about to move
heaven and earth to prove that he was
! used as a catSpaw
WHO used him.
Your bOokkeeper. Coulter. now a
member OF the firm"
uuyser sent for Coulter. who ap,
peared pale and trembling. John told
! the story oc how Coulter had assisted
| him in his trial balance and how he
| doubtless cooked II up 10 serve his
own purposes. Coulter. knowing thai
| the pending suit would reveal his pee
| ulations broke down and confessed
Soon after Johns arrest some specu
lative investments Coulter had made
! had turned from ebh to food tide anC
| given him considerable funds. He
then-generously. it was supposed
| offered to make up the deficiency or
condition that John was not prose
cuted The firm. being in need Of cap
ital, at the same time admitted hin
! as q member.
An arrangement was made by which
John withdrew his suit. Coulter wa:
| put out of the firm, and John wa:
taken in in his place, Later he became
| senior partner