Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1922-06-29
SMOOTH CROOK
SLIPS ONE OVER
CLEVER DIP IN DETROIT DIPPED
OUT OF SIGHT WHEN Will
LERT WASN'T LOOKING.

Under two column feature head
the Detroit Free Press of Tuesday
used the following story about "a clev
er crock and Earl Willert, Gratiot
county undersheriff, who is also a
candidate for the nomination on the
Republican ticket for sheriff at the
coming primary
Earl Willert is undersheriff of
Iratiot county. Ithaca is the county
seat Sometimes a city crook will
sneak into Ithaca, but he has to be
"gol-derned" slick to escape the cam
era eye of Undersheriff Willert.
We'll, seems as how about six
weeks ago, Seth Washburn drove TO
town, sold load Of beets and started
over to the bank to put the money in
When he got to the bank, blamed if
his wallet wa'ant gone. Seth ran
right out, bumped plump into Earl
ana told him how his pocket had been
picked.
Earl knows just what to do in a
case like that He and Seth hustled
right down to the railroad depot. The
undersheriH spotted suspicious
looking stranger waiting for the De-
trolt train and took him in. He said
he was Sam Lewis, of New York
City. That seemed to Willert lust
about to clinch the case. He took his
prisoner before the justice Of the
peace who made him put up cash bail
before he'd turn him loose for trial.
When the trial day came around Sam
was nowhere To be found. Earl al
lowed he was the most dishonorable
pickpocket he'd ever heard tell about
and vowed he'd catch him if it took
10 years. He got out circulars and
sent en- broadcast. The Detroit DO
lice got one.
Last Wednesday Detectives O'Grady
and iiurczyk, looking over arrivals on
train at the Michigan Central sta
ton, copied an old acquaintance. He
was none other than Sam Lewis,
known far and wide rs one of the
country's most expert dips" The
detectives gathered him in. Word was
dispatched to Ithaca. Monday Under
sheriff Earl Willert came to Detroit
to get his man.
Inspector Amos Kunkel had Sam
brought up from his cell He ordered
a police flyer" to take Wllert and
his prisoner TO Union station, where
they were TO board train for Ithaca.
Now, be careful Of this bird,
KunEel warned. He'll make a get
away if he has half chance. You
better handcuf him to yourself and
keep him handcuffed until you get
home
Il reckon he'll have to go some to
give me the slip, said Earl, and away
they went.
They arrived at the Union station
half an hour before train time.
Say, GULL the prisoner asked in
Of Willert, let me get a
shave and a haircut while we're wait
ing, will you. haven't been cleaned
up since they showed me in stir"
last week
Guess that'll be all right, the
said after considering the
question a moment, whereupon he
COX Sam into the barber shop.
"Willert took a seat while he wait
ID for Sam 10 get his haircut and
shave. In a few minutes he got up.
Might as well go and get the
ickets, he remarked and beckoned
he barber to one side.
'Undersheriff Of Gratiot county,,
Re announced, displaying his badge to
he shears manipulation That's
prisoner I'm taking up to Ithaca. You
watch him close until | get back.
Keep your eye on him because he's
Ticker
Sure said the barber.
when Earl got back from the
icket window, the barber met him
xcitedly at the door !
No sooner was your back turned
e explained, than this teller jumps
- from the chair and beats it.
ried to catch him, but | couldn't
"The undersheriff turned wither
lg eye Ct disdain upon the barber. !
hen he telephoned Inspector Kunkel
t headquarters and told him about it.
Can you catch him for me
gain 2 Willert asked.
"kunkel said he'd try" =
,