The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1922-10-18
CAPTURE Three
Who BROKE OUT
OF COAST JAIL

VI VVnOl JILL
(Continued from First Page.)
ments of the United States and
Mexico make imperative treaty
agreements for the extradition Of
criminals
Arthur Burch Involved.
Wilson. who appeared to domin-
ate the affairs Of the jails where he
has been a prisoner and to WELD
unlimited power over the otner
prisoners and guards as well, was
wildly cheered as he was fighting
his way to freedom and Arthur
Burch, the Northwestern univer-
sity student, indicted jointly with
Madalynne Oberchain for the muir
der Of J. Bolton Kennedy, is report
ed to have acted as cheer leader
and also is alleged to have been
deeply involved in the plot to en-
able Wilson to get freedom.
Wilson has a most extraordinary
history and is regarded as real
master criminal product of the
times and a leader in the studied
warfare of crookdom against pres
ent day civilization. He and tis
two brothers originally came from
London, Ontario. He studied to
become a minister and was Or
dained to the pulpit. He held the
pastorate of a church at Browns
vile, Ore, and appeared studious
and devout. Later he became an
evangelist and was last known in
this role at San Diego.
Stole $2,50O,OO0.
His career as an uplifter Of his
fellows brought only slender pay.
Four years ago he deliberately
planned and entered upon a career
Of crime, after he had been thrown
into contact with Herbert Cox, a
leader in the underworld. Wilson
is declared to have involved mis- two
brothers in some of his enterprises.
Robbery of the United States
mail by these men, with Wilson as
the directing genius, netted them
more than 81. 100000 in two years.
Herbert Wilson is credited with
getting the major portion Of the
loot and to have invested it wisely,
he being known to be owner of one
of the largest apartment houses in
this city.
Murdered His Pal
Ho~h4~$ vEi1c1r y,
his home here shortly after his
pal, Cox, had been apprehended.
The latter made a partial confess
sion to the authorities and they ex-
pected that eventually he would
come clean" and turn states evil
dence. Immediately on being locked
up Herbert Wilson began to plot to
escape. A turnkey, to whom he Of
fered a bride of $1,000, divulged
what was going on. Together with
Cox and man named O'Brien, he
started to break out only to be con-
fronted with guards armed with
rifles. AS they retreated back into
the cell there was the sound of a
shot and Wilson, with a gun in his
hand, was found standing above the
dead body of Cox. The latter, in a
dying statement, accused his pal
and the authorities held that Will
son, fearing that Cox would tell all,
had shot him to keep his mouth
shut,
When Wilson was brought to
trial for the murder of Cox it was
! found that an elaborate defense
had been prepared for him in the
Jail. His money and influence had
worked wonders but eventually his
deliberately worked out alibi was
shattered and Cronin, the chief
jailer at the time, now is facing
dismissal on the ground that he
aided the murderer in his efforts
to escape and cheat justice.
TruSty Aids Wilson.
On Saturday Arthur Burchan. a
trusty in the commissary depart
ment, sent turnkey to the infor-
nation desk of the First National
bank to get box of candy that had
been left there. Through a miscal-
! culation, this box instead of going
direct to Burchan, fell into the
hands of jailer. 1t was found to
contain an automatic pistol, fully
loaded together with extra clips OF
cartridges. 1t was intended for Will
son and as a result of the discovery
Burchan was placed in solitary
confinement for his part in trying
to smuggle the pistol into the Jail
Monday turnkey was called to
the big cell occupied by Wilson and
a large number of other prisoners.
When he opened the door Wilson
Ward and Spigola, all armed with
automatic pistols, attacked the
guard. After he had been thrown
| back into the cell the trio assailed
and overpowered three additional
guards, seized their keys and made
a dash for liberty. Previously
Wilson had fired but missed fol-
which he was called" by 1.-THE
mouse"
Jail Doors Open.
| At the front door Of the Jail a
postal employee was alighting from
a small car but was compelled al
the point Of a gun to re-enter and
drive the three men away at tor
speed. Prisoners left in the Jail
in their demonstration of rejoicing
| over the eScane Of Wilson miscod