The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1911-03-16
G0-BETWEEN
FOR THIEVES
He ADMITS
Former Chief Of Police al
Wichita Pleads Guilty 10 His
Part In Stamp Theiis

tBy Associated Pressj

Wichita. Kan, Mar 15--Ex-Chlef
Of Police Frank Burt Of wichita
pleaded guilty to the charge of sell
ing postage stamps when arraigned
IN Federal court Tuesday afternoon.
He will turn states evidence against
those implicated In the case with
him. i. y. Naftzger, former president
OF the Fourth National bank pleaded
no. guilty to the same charge, while
John Callahan. convicted bank rob
ber asked time to consult an attor-
ney. saying he had been denied that
opportunity while In Jail His attor-
ney stated that Callahan woulG plead
not guilty.
Burt's action, together with the al
legations made by two members oil
the September grand jury which iii
dicted the trio, that they had been
approached BY other members TO use
their influence against the Indictment
ol Naftzger. strengthened the states $
position in an unexpected manner.
The charges Of attempted corrup-
tion OF the grand jury were made by
Foreman Paul Rich and Jurors ), h.
Wills and A. s. Mattson They al
lege Grand Jurors Lewis Evans and
George w Smith approached them.
Smith telling Rich there was "sl0,-
900 In II for them"
Attorneys for Naftzger declare
Smith and Evans made oyertures for
bribes but that no efforts were made
TO corrupt the grand Jury. Rich, Wills
and Mattison reported the occurrence
10 Diatrict Attorney Bone, who caus.
ed warrants to be issued for Smith
and Evans.
4. s. Naftzger, r. S. Burt and John
Callahan were indicted at the Sep.
tember term Of the Federal court on
four separate indictments. on foml
counts, charging four transactions
covering about sl,700 worth of Stol
en- postage stamps from January to
August. 1910. from Kansas postofIices
81 II has been thought that Bur.
would plead guilty, throwing himself
on the mercy OF the court From
Burt TIE Federal officers received In
formation to run down Alexander Nc
pherson. alias Ray rumpleton and
Edward Earl alias Indiana Eddy,
and NaItzger. Burt pleading guilty
probably will be used as witness
against Naltzger.
Story Of the Crime
The Callahan gang including Cal
lahan, Mcpherson and earl we're ar
rested last September BY Federal AL
thorities for conspring TO rob thu
government and were indicted OF
counts charging the securing and dis
posing OF stolen stamps. Callahan'i
dump, In this city, used as rem
dezvons for receiving stamps ant
liquor. was raided by Mayor Davidson
and Chief Of Police Mcpherson las
September Callahan Is In the count,
JAIL Burt and Naftzger are out OF
bond Earl and Templeton are in IN,
county jail They are charged with
robhing nostotiices at Hope and Bur
dick, Kan. last August, taking S30l
worth Of stamps.
Callahan, charged with receiving
stamps from Earl and Templeton ant
from other postofiice rohberies ans
with assposinb of them TO Burt, vii
be tried first Next Naftzger will b,
tried for buying STAMPS aggregatinl
about $i.700 from Burt az rs cent.
on the dollar and selling to Profes
sor Samuels, doctor In this city
about 81 400 worth of stamps at 81
cents on the dollar and about s25l
worth OF stamps sold to the George
Innes Dry Goods company at par
Naftzger, II is charged, issued checks
to Burt In payment for stamps as
shown by records at the Fourth Ma
tional bank.
Federal officers have the stamps