New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-10-22
DIR. R. c. FLOWER
CAUGHT AT LAST
Mine Swindler Prisoner in
Toronto After Eleven
Years Chase.

More than eleven years after the
date of his crimes Dr. Richard c.
Flower, notorious mining swindler and
bail jumper, sponsor for some Of the
most remarkable stock fakes ever per-
petrsted and a man whose operations
are said to have netted him millions
Of dollars, was arrested last night in
Toronto by detective who has tracked
him all over the country for years.
Fowler has been missing for six
years. Prior TO that he had been sought
for year, before that detectives had
traced him for three years. On each
occasion he obtained freedom by Jump
ing his bail. He was located all over
the country-once in Mexico Once a
wall Street banker, his criminal record
is one Of the most remarkable in the
history of New York.
One OF the most noteworthy feature.
Of the Flower case is that almost from
hrst to last the name Of a single de-
tective has been linked with his career.
Barney McConviile arrested Flower p
dozen times between 1908 and his last
disappearance, in 1908, and it was Nc
Conville, hired by District Attorney
Whitman, who went 10 Toronto on
Wednesday for the famous criminal
when word came from the Pinkertons
that he had been located.
Late last night McConville wired no.
lice headquarters here that Flower had
been caught.
Got Flower; might start with him
Tor New York tomorrow" read his
telegram.
Although the notorious refugee is re-
ported on the edge of physical break
down, McConville has announced that
ne VIII not rest until he lands his man
in the Tombs.
Flower, now seventy years of age, is
said TO be a broken man and q hopeless
drug fiend. Unchanged in one particu-
lar, he had organized company, called
the Standard Radiating Company. With
him when McConville placed him under
arrest was woman who claimed TO be
his wife. Flower was divorced by his
former wife several years ago.
Operating at various times under
the names of Oxford, Dainey, Montgom-
cry, Cortland and numerous aliases, the
notorious Flower duped thousands upon
thousands of persons with fake mining
stock, schemes for manufacturing dia-
monds and other swindles. His connec-
ton with the Hagaman will case in this
city FURNISHED New York with one of
the greatest sensations in its history.
Flower was then in business as r. c..
Flower Co, bankers. at 80 Wall st.
With the death of Theodore Hagaman,
a New York millionaire, and the col
lapse of the Lone Pine mine, Flowers
financial operations and his dealings
with Mrs. Hagaman were first brought
TO light.
He was indicted in 1908 for his con-
nection with various mining enter
prises, including the Arizona, Eastern
and Montana Mining Company. There
were five grand larceny complaints
against him. When the day arrived
for his trial he had vanished. At that
time he was out OF bail of $4,000,
which had been put up by Mrs. Cor
nelis Storrs.
In October of 1904 he was discovered
in Mexico, again floating mining
schemes. Mrs. Hagaman. against whom
judgment had meanwhile been OBJ
tanned in this city, was reported to be
with him. While in Mexico Flower
posed as a priest, and pretended that
he was trying to secure money to pay
back his New York victims.
Nearly three years lster-Janusry A.,
1907 DIR. Flower was found in Phila-
delphia, where he called himself "Pro-
fessor Oxford" and was engaged, he
said, in making artificial diamonds and
chemical bricks. McConville made the
arrest, and the doctor was refused bail.
Through political channels, however,
Flowers e1tradition TO this city was
delayed, and ne was released on bail of
$4,000. Given his freedom, he dissp-
peared Immediately, once more forfeit
ing his bail.
Flower was heard of again in 1908,
when a gigantic swindling game in
Richmond was found to have him as
is leader. BY that time Mrs. Haga-
man had joined him in his operations,
calling herself Mrs. II. F. Lindsey.
While a detective slept in an sdjoin-
ing room, Flower, his identity un-
known at that time, skipped out, Notn-
iEg more was heard Of him until his
arrest in Toronto last night.