Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-05-21

was in Rock Island county ON the
night of the Silvis bank robbery.
claiming he was under arrest in Chi
cago. The fact of the mater is that
Stratton was not incarcerated at the
Windy City until December 30.
Thomas jefferson, who is now in
the county jail, states that he met
Stratton in Davenport FIVE days before
the Silyis job was pulled, and is posi-
tive that Stratton was a member OF
the gang that beat up the late Lee
Crowder.
HOOTs At WEBB.
Stratton talked at length this after
neon regarding his past exploits.
Sure ! know Teddy Webb and that
auto bandit bunch from Chicago" he
said. Il owned the machine they
used for all those Jobs II was a big
ard-Dayton. Stratton does not
think much of Webb. That fool" he
snorted. Hes a cocaine fend. he's
rot a bandit. The only time he has
the nerve 20 90 any stealing is when
he is full of dope. He loads up with
the drug and then makes a $50 haul
of some grocery store or a helpless
woman. Hes a jelly-back." Stratton
was taken in a raid by Halpins men
and was captured in the north side
/ fiat. but the Chicago police could not
/ ge. the goods on him for the auto jobs.
/ He was also arrested as a suspect in
/ the Logue diamond murder, but was
able to prove an abb.
SHOWS NO REGRET.
Stratton is an excellent example oil
the cold-blooded, businesslike, con
scicusless burg ar who is an avowed
enemy OF society and pits his nerve
and brain against the law. AT no time
since his ares has he shown the
least ccmpunction for any Of his
deeds Stealing is his business, ne
says. and he is not sorry that he is il
the business. He steals and runs this
risk OF the guardians of the law catch
ing him at the trick. During the las
decade he has stolen and spert thOus
Glds OF dollars for which he served tn,
price Of two years behind the bars.
I'm W. ever Tel lEt-ltL lOl NOu
way CT life and hare you no desire tt
start over again." he vas asked.
What's the use?" came his reply
i've got the name, why not &c; tn
game. I'm gene now, and can't turn
back The police want me all owe
, the middlewest. l couldn't be a dc
cent citizen now if ! wanted TO be
cause my pas. would always b
thrown up 10 me-
TELLS OF ESCAPE.
: Str2ttCn ted CT his escape from tn
, Leavenwcrth federal penitentiar
which he affected after an impriso.
, monc e two weeks.
, There are any number of sewer
. leading from the peniten.ary." h
, said, but there was only one SAT
way. Some OF the big pipes had trap
IN them. and others were flushed vii
% scald.ng water. The Cnly way to u
t sure q gaining liberty was 10 get
? blue print Of the sewer system"
Z Fhis is what Stratton claims he d,
p and starting with MS two companion
+ who Lost their nerve ana we're recal
r tured, re dropped IS feet into ma
5 hole and crawled over half mi
through cd wa.er At places IN
cewer vas Ca!y Is inches in diamete
2 End St-atton Rad to shed part CT h
e clothing before ne could make all III
! turns IN the course.
TRIAL IN july.
u StrattCn was taken into court
i Fektl on Monday OF this week
answer to a robbery charge, but h
attorney prayed a continuance, {
l the around that several important vi
nesses were necessary. The case W;
put over until the September term
D., court. An agreement was then reac
J ed between Sheriff Fluegel and State
l. Attorneys W. ]. Reardon Of Pekin a:
e Floyd Thompson Of this city, to allo
d Strattcn to be brought here on a mu
s der charge the Rock Island a.tOrnt
/, promising &c bring the case UP +
/. trial By July. If Stra;ton is not co
p victed OF murder here. he will aga
e be taken back TO Pekin.