The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1920-11-05

Op0C 6U u~-~0IssUOVNs
~
AS l pondered over 1t ! decided that
my chance meeting with Barbara Brad
ford In the park had upset the plans
OF a Matchmaking band. and that they
we're avenging themselves IN me for
my unwilling part. was certain that
Wick and Lefty Moore's wife were In
connivance with them, and that the
gang possibly included Claire Brad
fOrd's ex-husband. Wick had q pass
key that enabled him to enter the Lu-
tan apartment. Undoubtedly he could
also enter mine as well. But Wick
could have nothing to do with the
planting of the revolver in my rooms.
I was positive about that. He had
not been out of my sight for a single
moment from the time that we had dis
covered the body. The only way that
1t seemed possible to involve him in
that was on the theory Of a prear-
ranged plot to make me appear the
murderer. Was 1t possible that Claire
Bradford had participated in this7 !
knew she had been in my rooms after
the murder. It must have been she
who put the revolver there.
One Of the detectives who had ar
rested me appeared at my cell door.
"Coms along" he commanded
grufiy.
AS l came out l was again shackled
and led to the patrol wagon that was
waiting. had supposed that ! was
| being taken to court to be arraigned.
but such was not the case. l found
myself at police headquarters. where
beth my photograph and my finger
| prints were taken. 1 refrained from
giving any information about myself.
beyond giving my name and age. be-
Ing careful to have my name recorded
40 John 8. Nelson. Out in my home
town everybody for years had known
me BY my middle name "Spaulding."
and l was hopeful that they might
fail to identify me IL they read any
thing about me-.
When everything that might serve to
identify me had been recorded, I was
taken into 4 large room where perhaps
0uix u lOAuACO HE WClC ASSNAADiCus
most Of them wearing masks. l looked
about with curiosity. l had read Of
this ceremony. l was being "lined up
before the members Of the city's detec-
tive force to see II any of them could
identify me md to give them an oppor-
unity to familiarize themselves with
my features In case 1t should eve be
necessary to arrest me again.
"Nevcr saw him BEFORE" | heard
one OF them say. "Guess he must be
. western crook"
HES no amateur" said another.
THAT Job up at the Granddeck was
done by q professional"
Many sighting comments were
made, too, on my personal appearance.
learned for the first time that I had
4 bad ear" and that my eyes were
shifty. The only emotion these COM
ments aroused in me was q feeling Of
pity, not for myself but for all poor
| u~nfortunates who fall afoul Of the
law. Even though a man is presumed
| to be innocent until he has been con-
victed ! had observed that since the
| flrst moment Of my arrest everybody
lind taken It for granted that I must
lie guilty and had treated me with
| little respect or consideration.
From headquarters l was taken to
| the police court and without further
| delay brought before a magistrate.
"John 8. Nelson. arrested for the
murder Of Daisy Lutan." said the de-
tective.
@Have you ~counsel?" asked the mag
lstrate.
mo" l replied.
II win assign Mr.. Myers as the pris-
oner's counsel" he announced.
A young chap. evidently just out OF
law school, stepped forward. and drew
ne 4 little to one side.
"Plead Not guilty." he directed.
land be careful to say nothing MORE"
"Of course" / replied. I'm not
guilty. l had nothing to do with It."
l could e by his face that he did
not believe me and as ! turned again
to the court l made up my mind that
ven II the court had assigned him
- my counsel ! would tell hin moth
Ing.
"How do you pleadr' asked the
court.
mot guilty" I replied.
"Remanded without bail for further
examination until Thursday morning"
sna pped the court. and l was led back
into m ant room. Mr.. Myers and the
detective accompanying me. The lat
ter there surrendered ME to some off,
cial, presumably . prison keeper.
Looks pretty bad for you." said
Myers. q We were left alone for con-
oultati0n.
II suppose It does look that way" I
laughed.
"N0 chance to make It self-defense."
- went on. plainly amazed at my
manner. mo jury'd yer stand for q