The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-02-08
Police Tell of His Earlier Mis-
deeds ON Fourth Street.
WAS FIRST HTENCED AT IA
Later Sent to Pen for Stealing
From Mail.
Says Blood on Coat Resulted
From Fight.

Charles Hedges, the man who is
being held by the police on informa-
tion which causes them to believe that
he was connected with the murder Of
Luetta Dorsett, is we'll known in To
peka- AS a boy, he lived with his
parents. Mr. and Mrs W. H Hedges,
in different sections of the city
He was better known on the East
side as a member of de Fourt Street
Gang in its palmy days and had
rather a questionable record here, the
police say. 1t is said that when but a
boy he frequently stole tools out OF
the workshop of his father that he
might sell them and secure money
which he spent lavishly.
His father, w. H. Hedges, was en-
ployed in Topeka as lock expert ana
as a pawn broker for number OF
years, but moved to Kansas City ABOUT
ten or twelve years ago. The JUNIOR
Hedges has a long police record IN
Topeka When wearing knee trousers
he was often arrested on charge OF
petty thievery and was sent to the
reform school when thirteen or four
teen years old.
went to Kansas City where he served
a mum Der of workhouse sentences
Following this he returned to Topeka
and was employed as a bell boy at the
ThroOp hotel. While employed mere,
he was caught stealing money and
money orders out of letters to guests
at the hotel He was sentenced TO
and served a term in the federal penl-
tenitary on this charge Following
thing he again went to Kansas City
He continued stealing Within Two
years after securing his release at the
federal penitentiary. he was on MS
way TO the state penitentiary after
having been convicted Of larceny in
Kansas City, Kansas
Paroled by Governor Stubbs.
On account of the health of his
kHx- T1rr1-
was paro1ed by Governor Stubbs that
he might support his mother Hedges
has kept out of the tolls of the police
until recently when he was arrested
as a suspect in the Dorset murder
case.
Charles Hedges was acquainted with
Mrs. DOrsett when she lived in Topeka |
She lived in Parkdale. He has been I
associated with her and her sister and /
other relatives since being paroled 4
from the state penitentiary, but to /
what extent is not fully known in
Topeka.
information which has been piled /
up against him causes many ac- /
quaintances of Topeka to believe he !
murdered Mrs Dorsett, but think that
he did it for the purpose of robbery.
Information which has been gathered /
by the police affirms this belief The
prints of the hands with blood stains
on and under the pillow of the muir
dered woman is one of the features
to substantiate this as are the blood |
stains on the stove poker and a num-
ber of other articles which have been
found in the room where the woman's
body was found.
The mem bers of the local police de-
partment who have been employed in
the department a number of years.
firmly believe that he committed the
murder with a hope of obtaining
money which belonged to the victim.
Tries to Explain 1t.
Kansas City, Feb. S.-ChaTles
W. Hedges. who is being held in
with the murder of
Mrs. Lucetta Dorsett, was brought
INTO the office of H. T. Zimmer chief
Of police, and a further examination
Of his clothing made, to see if more
blood spots could be made
IF you are looking for blood spots"
ne said. Il can easily explain that.
vas walking along Seventh street one
hight and spoke to girl. Some man
lit me on the nose and it bled pro- }
,usely. That accounts for any blood
spots you might find on my clothing .
The blood spots on the overcoat ]
we're the only ones found.
Governor Stubbs has revoked the
lis conviction of burglary in Karsas
parole granted to Hedges shortly afeer !
City Kan. Hedges. therefore, must :
erve a sentense of two years in the :
Kansas penitentiary-