The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-01-06
CHAPTER IXVH.


niscence.1
1t is to be noted in the Associated
Press dispatches today that Detective
w. ]. Burns, who has done such fine
work in connection with the arrest of
criminals, has been released from the
custody of the county attorneys at
indianapolis.
Technically, he was in jail, but prac-
tically, he was out on bond and the
bondsmen have today surrendered
him to the county criminal court,
where he stands indicted on the
charge of kidnapping J. J.. Mcnamara,
the man who confessed to the awful
crime and deliberate villainy of ma
Hciously blowing up the Office of the
Los Angeles Times and causing the
death of thirty innocent people.
Surely Burns will be acquitted of
the charge. Doesn't it look like a lot
of red tape to have Detective Burns
prosecuted in this manner? The editor
of this paper is a great admirer of
Burns. who has a good Scotch name
and who is worthy Of his Irish descent.
No one can read the wonderful
stories about Burns or hear him mar
rate his thrilling adventures, in the
modest way in which they appear in
print, or come from his lips. without
admiring the mans bravery and indus
try and success.
In the middle of the night in the
middle of the last month. December. in
the city of New York, the writer was
privileged to sit at dinner, or rather
late supper. at the side of Detective
Burns. The spread was an informal
affair given by the publisher of the
New York Times in his suite of rooms
on the twentieth floor of The Times
building.
Gathered about the tables at this re-
past. placed for sixteen people. were
fifteen newspaper men, representing
nearly every part of the United States.
Burns was the guest of honor
The Times man had taken the
newspaper men to the Hippodrome,
where they saw the evening perform
ance both before and behind the
scenes. And by the way, if you have
never seen this theater and go to New
York, you should see it, for there is a
marvellous performance in a wonder
full playhouse Many Topekans have
been there. The stage is large enough
to accommodate several elephants,
numerous camels. a score of horses
and two or three hundred men and
women all at the same time. and they
might almost be gathered on the
banks of what is a real lake in the
stage, upon which float ships, emerge
mernaids and into which and across
which a half dozen horses with rid
ers plunge and swim to the opposite
wing.
Upon their return from the theater
the napkins We're spread and oysters
served a little before twelve o'clock.
Mr. Burns was piled with many ques-
tons and he answered them by telling
his stories.
Burns had with him one of the in
fernal machines made by Mcnamara.
1t contained everything but the dyna-
mite It was simple affair: a thin
board about FOUR inches wide one
and one-half inches thick and two feet
long. upon which was placed at one
end a common alarm clock, such as
one can buy for s1.o0 at any of the
stores. Next to the clock, and about
the same height and width was thin
wooden box which covered the rest Of
the board. Attached to the key on
the back Of the alarm clock was a
small piece of metal about one and
one fourth inches long and the thick
ness of the lead in a coarse lead
pencil
Mcnamara made a score of these ma
chimes. Burns discovered that the
alarm clocks were purchased at Roch-
ester, New York. Many buildings,
bridges and structures of different kinds
in various parts of the country were
blown UP by these little contrivances
made by Mcnamara
The box contained a battery and
dynamite The clock was set to go of
at a certain hour, just as one would
set it to be awakened early.
The party who placed the box near
the structure to be demolished could
put it in position. say at midnight set
it for say 4 o'clock. in the morning.
and be many miles away in another
town before the explosion took place
When the hour set arrived the little
KEY which winds the alarm would re-
volve Just as it always revolves when
the alarm rings, and the little piece
OF metal, above described, would turn
over onto a metal plate connecting the
battery: instantly the place blew up.
Mr. Burns. what disguise do you use
in your work?"
well. [ do not put on false whisk-
ers.'' said he smiling; the principal
/ DISCUSSES I use are an old suit OF
clothes and a SLOUGH hat. That was the
uniform I used when I went UP into
northeastern Missouri to look after a
gang of counterfeiters.'
1T had been reported that counter
( felt silver was in circulation. 1 was
asked by the government to 60 and see
about it. In the little town of Prince
ton. Mo, up near the Iowa line, walk
cd into a saloon, may be I had giver
my mustache an extra twist upward
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