The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-03-30
BATTLES is BACK.
Young Man Who Robbed Regis
tered Mail Released.
ParOled After Serving Term of
Fifteen Months.
HIS CASE PECULIAR.
People Raised 500 to Send Him
TO School.
Did Not Take Kindly to Plans
for Education.
HIS CASE PECULIAR

Did Not Take Kindly to Plans
for Education.
Ohio Battles has returned to Topeka
after serving 3 months in the federal
penitentiary in Leavenworth for rob-
bling registered mail pouches. He was
paroled. Probably not in years has
Topeka produced a greater living ex-
ample of ingratitude of public sympa-
thy than that shown by young Battles
who blasted the hopes of friends and
insisted on chance to hang on the
ragged edge of a crooked existence.
Young Battles short life has been
checkered existence. 1t was eight
years ago that Ohio Battles, bright
likable youth lost a leg while in the
government service, and received a
public benefit which he appeared new
er to appreciate. Battles was employ
ed to drive a mail wagon. One night
his wagon collided with the police
to the pavement. He was seriously
injured and the amputation of a leg
was necessary.
At the time of the accident Judge
John Guthrie was postmaster. He
took an especial interest in the young
man and started a fund for his as
sistance. Nearly $500 was raised,
which was to be used in giving Battles
good education and fitting him for
an official position. which his natural
cleverness made certain he could fill.
Gradually the boy, then but 16 years
old, recovered from his injuries. He
was entered at Washburn college.
Public sentiment was all in favor of
the lads advancement. At school he
was given every consideration. But
the halls of learning didn't attract Bat
ties. He remained in school several
months, then declared that he had as
much education as anyone needed.
Battles went back to the haunts of his
earlier youth. He spent his idle hours
on the depot platforms and compan-
toned with the crowd from the billiard
halls.
But Judge Guthrie insisted that Bat
ties should be a man. He persuaded
the boy to take course in Topeka
comm ercial college. But shorthand
and bookkeeping held few allurements
for the cripple. In a few weeks he
was back on the street Things drag
ged along in this manner for several
years and public faith in Battles fu-
ture began to wane. Gradually the
boys existence furnished excellent ma
terial for ideal Sunday sermons. Each
year Battles consumed more cigarettes
and became less useful to the public
at large.
1t was in the fall of 1909 that some
of the best secret service men in the
governments employ were called to
| 1OpOkd- IkeSlSleTeQ IHdl1 Was DelI1S
missed at the poStoffice with amazing
regularity. But there was no clue
to the robberies- Dozens of registered
packages addressed to the Topeka Of
flee, started on their journey in the
usual way. but they never reached
their destination. In fact the pack
ages never showed up at the local
postoffice.
Then the detectives began to watch
the depots. One of the drivers, 1lmer
j. Doyle. carried the mail from the
Rock Island and Union Pacific trains
to the federal building. Ohio Battles
was usually at these trains. His pal,
Merlin Reed, was also to be found in
the same locality. 1t was observed
that Doyle frequently allowed Battles
to drive the wagon from the Rock Is
land depot to the Union Pacific, gather
the mail at that point and return to
the Rock Island. Then Battles would
walk leisurely down the street and
disappear. One day Battles was ar
rested. In his possession the officers
found key to registered pouch
and SIS bill. which bore the mark
ings of a third class office from which
a package had been missed. Not I'M
til Battles was taken to Kansas City
for trial did he confess. Then he told
how he had looted the mail pounches
while in charge of the wagon and puz-
zled the government detectives It Is
presumed that Battles took between
$1,000 and $4,000 from the pouches
The young man never gave the fig
ureS. Several of the stolen packages
were later found in North Topeka.
Both Battles mad Reed were sent to
the federal penitentiarv for a term of
1S months. Doyle, who allowed Bat
ties to drive the wagon, was fined 800
for neglect of duty.
Immediately after his release. Bat
ties came to Topeka. He said he would
make his home with his mother, Mrs.
n. E. Spires, who operates q hot ia
male and chilli wagon in North Tope-
ka. Battles is now "a years old He
is anxious to secure the remainder of
the funds which was raised for his
education. William Macferran, one of
the trustees, stated that the money
would not be turned over except for
the purposes for which it was origin
ally intended.
There is still a chance for Battles
to enter school, change his habits, and
be a man. To be sure Topeka's faith
in the young man has received several
severe shocks. Judge Guthrie, who
started the fund to aid the boy, is
dead. The incident of eight years ago
'I haven't made up my mind vet
what will do said Battles, as he re-
viewed his short and rather stormy
career. 81 am going to try to get that
money first. It belongs to me and I
ought to have it. I have thought