Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1919-05-26
TWO FUGlTIVES BEING
SOUGHT BUT HAVE
NOT BEEN CAUGHT
ALL PROVE AL|B|S
WILLIAM LOWE, HARRY COUl.
TER, CLARENCE LEOPOLD AND
GEORGE KoENlG OF LASALLE
ARE FREED FROM CUSTODY.

With all six Of the men arrested
Saturday as suspects in the Megatlr
shoe story robbery released either OF
bail, their own recognizance or en-
tirely freed of suspicion through per
feet alibis, Ottawa's latest sensation
developed today into more or less o
a false alarm.
The case, which began with the all
charged on all sides by speculation,
and runors, went up into smoke this
T'Ining with the release of twC
youths held as suspects. granting one
freedom yesterday and freeing other.
on their own recognizance, which yir
tually means they are dropped as pos
sibilities in a solution of the crime.
As it now stands the two remain
ing suspects. Gus Gebhardt and JOE
Kelly, must bear the brunt of the rob
berry II they are apprehcnded, All in
formation received by Sheriff Ayers
and Chief Grove connects these two
with the robbery But their data. SC
far, begins and ends with the pair
still at large, Reports that a line
had been secured upon the fugtves
at Joliet, were emphatically denied
bp otficialdom today.
Proves His Innocence.
With the discharge from custody
OF William Lowe, one of the young
men arrested Saturday who since
proved convincingly he was not as
sociated with the robbery, and George
Koenig, another absolyed from blame
the sensation following Saturday $
raids on four Ottawa homes and the
arrest of five in connection with the
Megaffin burglary, developed into new
phases today.
William Lowe. eXOnerated by of
fetal inquiry proved cOnvincingly he
was not a member of the gang Of 10
cal talents who entered the La Sale
street footwear store Friday night
March 16 He was closely examined
and had perfect aIibi in support OF
his innocence. When the officers fail
ed to trip him up under rigid exam
inaton, he was ordered released frou
the county Jail Friends of the younl
man stuck stoutly to the theory tina
while he may have associated witt
the crowd accused of the robbery ht
would not permit his liking for th'
others to lead him astray 50 far a
to stoop to burglary. Koenig, who i,
no relation to Justice George KOenig
while reputed to be a professional
gambler was released on his owl
recognizance, when he promised t,
remain within reach of the officials
in case they should need him II,
was taken from his room at the Ven
dome hotel in La Sale, where. it wa.
learned, the loot was stored SATURDAY.
before being removed to the Romen
ofski junk sheds.
knutson Gives Bail.
Arthur Knutson. charged by the
police with having furnished his auto
bile to transport the boxes o
shoes to Ottawa to La Sale, secured
his release from custody Saturda!
night Harry Frank furnished S1,00t
bail with which to secure him his TEN
porary release from Jail, after tn,
father of the young man posted ;
$500 cash guarantee.
Knutson stoutly maintains he hat
nothing whatsoever to do with tht
burglary. contending he, like William
Lowe, is a victim of circumstance
brought about by his occasional assC
citation with the others accused of tn,
crime
Look Up La Sale End.
Not content with the stories eman
ating at La Sale, where the loo
was stored. apparently for peddlin
out to fences" Chief of Police Crow
and Sheriff Ayers are determined t
conduct a thoro inquiry into event
that happened at that end of the ser
sation. Solomon Romenofski, tn
lunkman, informed Sheriff Ayers h
was tipped off, at O'Clock the Sa
Continued on page 3, col. 81