Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-02-10
ROBS ONLY TO LOSE
Companions Hold Up Highway
man and Take Loot.
ADMITS THEFT AT RECTOR'S
Even Thief Isn't Safe in Chicago
Declares Prisoner-Police I'm.
ravel Conspiracy.

CHICAGO. February 1o.-"Even a thief
isn't safe in Chicago" is the plea Charles
Willard made to the police today. when
he confessed that he. in conspiracy with
two employees. held up Rectors restau
rant last Sunday morning and stole $500.
lie said another conspiracy had made his
possession of the money brief. for. as he
was leaving the cafe. he was greeted by
three men. who. with a revolver pressed
against his side. forced him into an alley
and robbed him.
Willard says he confided to an outsider
the conspiracy to rob Rector's. He be-
i1eVed that he was victim of con-
spiracy devised by this friend and two
other men.
The story. incredible as it al first seemed
to the police, was corroborated by them
They recovered $500, and arrested Will
liam Lotus, a saloonkeeper. and charged
him with being an accessory to the rob-
berry and with having received stolen
property. Lotus was held today in So
600 bond for the grand jury.
The original robbery occurred in Rec
tors restaurant Sunday morning. when
a bandit entered as John Adams, the
| cashier, and Ray Saislne, assistant head
waiter. were near the cashiers desk.
Pointing a revolver at the men, he pro-
ceeded in true holdup fashion to procure
$500.
Woman Gives Clue to Police.
The police searched vainly for the des-
perado for many hours. Then a note from
an unidentified woman gave them a clue
as to the nature of the "hold-up.''
Saisline was arrested. He confessed that
he had arranged with Willard to commit
the robbery. He advised Willard as to
the most opportune time to appear.
Adams was not party to the con-
splracy.
Saisline named Harry Anderson, a co.n-
panion, as one Of the conspirators. and
both denounced Willard for his failure to
| meet them later and divide the spois.
Willard was arrested. He denied compile
ity. but finally admitted the robbery and
told of why he did not divide with the
walters.
Willard was in the habit Of spending
much OF his time in Lotus saloon. When
the plot to rob the restaurant developed
Willard confided in his friend Lotus and
borrowed two revolvers Of him.
I Pretty soft for me- said Willard to
LOTUS, according to his confession.
"Pretty Soft" Agrees Lotus.
"sure. pretty soft" replied Lotus, who
seemed to be thinking over some project,
according to Willard.
When 1 came out Of the restaurant
with the money in my pocket" said
Willard. three men were waiting for me-
We want you, Charley said one, and
he pressed the end of a revolver against
me.
Il thought they were detectives called
by other walters, and that 1 was under
arrest They joked me about getting
away so easily. With a revolver pressed
into my coat they walked me around
policeman to an alley back of the Ham
| ilton Club, half block from the cafe.
In the alley one man covered my mouth,
one pressed the revolver against my ribs
and the third took the money from me.
They kept on joking about now soft it
| was
Pretty soft. Charley said the one
with the revolver, and then the three
walked away. 1 couldn't make any COM
paint about it, but had to hurry away
| to keep from being arrested"