Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-01-01
RECOVER BANK CASH
But Richmond, Va, Police Fail
to Arrest Webster Morton.
ONLY $16O IS MISSING
Washington Southern Bank to Get
Back Nearly All Of $4,000.
PRISONER MAKES HIS ESCAPE
Runner While Awaiting Arrival of
Patron Wagon Breaks Away
From Police.
ONLY $16o IS MISSING
PRISONER MAKES HIS ESCAPE

j. Selwin TAFT, president of the Wash
ington Southern Bank at 1413 G street
northwest, was the recipient this morning
of a happy New Year greeting from
Lieut. James Hartley, night chief of de-
tectives. which meant something more
than words. The greeting was in the ma
ture of a message telling him that $3.50
of the $1,000 alleged to have been carried
away yesterday by Webster Morton, col
ored, employed as runner for the bank,
had been recovered by the Richmond.
Va, police.
Morton was arrested in Richmond by
Detective Wiley and another policeman,
Maj. Sylvester having telegraphed the
Richmond authorities that the bank run
ner probably would appear at his grand
mothers house, and shortly after
o'clock this morning Detective Wiley
telephoned Lieut.. Hartley that Morton
had been located, and most Of the money
recovered
1t was explained by the Richmond de-
tective that Morton had assaulted him
while under arrest and made his escape.
A number of shots were fired at the flee
ing colored man. but none of them took
effect. and at an early hour this morning
the Richmond police said Morton was
still at large.
Police Quickly Notified.
AS soon as President TAFT notified the
police that his runner had disappeared
with the $4,000 the detectives sought in
formation as to the places of residence
of his Out-of-town relatives, and soon
learned that his grandmother resided in
Richmond. They also learned that he
had many friends in Philadelphia, where
he ho6 for. onr11- mil q
report placing him aboard Washington
Baltimore and Annapolis car suggested
that he had gone in the direction of the
Quaker city.
Philadelphia and New York, While the
Richmond police were told he probably
would come there, and later Detective
Wiley told of the arrest and escape of
Morton. Morton was arrested and a
satchel containing the money recovered.
HE seemed as meek a mouse,
Detective Wiley telephoned Lieut..
Hartley. and showed not the slightest
inclination of wanting to get away.
We took him to a patrol box. and when
the patrol wagon got about half
block away he struck me and ran. We
fired several shots at him. but he dis
appeared, and l suppose was not shot"
Leaves Wife and Children Here.
Detectives yesterday afternoon visited
the home of Morton at Burrville, near
Benning. where his wife and three
children reside with his mother. He
had not been there SO far as the pO
lice were able to learn. and his wife
and mother seemed distressed over his
reported absence.
Morton. the local police We're told,
was found in what is known in Rich
mond as the black belt" He took
his arrest as matter of course, the
police say. and seemed so willing to
go to the police station that the
thought never arose that he would at
tempt to escape. 1t is said that OFF,
Gals of the Washington Southern Bank
had been warned that Morton's con-
duct had been such that no harm would
be done by watching him. Today In
spector Boardman communicated with
the Richmond police, and the money
will be returned here by express.