The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1928-11-30
:. THE STORY OF A :.
IN AN-HUNT-

but were unable to find any given by
Guy Props. l did, however, learn of
Jere Scars who had been heard to saw
he held one of Guy Props checks.
Deputy Elton called for me with his
car and together we proceeded to the
rural districts in search of more forg-
cries due to activities of Guy Props.
Also met Jere Scars who had a check
given him on the state bank against
account of c. Young, same which the
bank returned to Scars on account of
wrong signature. i asked Scars to go
before the grand jury and have In
dictment made against Props
Being unable to find any more forged
checks on Props, we returned to town
where / called at the Jail with another
package of cigarettes and presented
same to Props. / had very lengthy
talk with Props who denies he ever
killed negro in the coal mines in
West Virginia but advised he had
forged considerable checks in town
in Kentucky last August, 1927. Props
then advised that he hated to squeal
on anyone but believed the writer
right in advising that he can help
himself IL he helped the writer" He
then advised that he met Chris Bache1-
Ter while visiting in Flame Valley and
it was there the suggestion was made
cries, Bachelor to split $3.50. Bach
eller's duty was to go to the bank
and get blank checks and to scout
around for merchants who would, he
thought, cash same. Then Props was to
write checks and get the cash. Props
was unable to advise where Chris
Bachelor was at present but sug-
gested the name of man who. would
be the person who knows, as he COM
municates with Bachelor.
I called on the commonwealth at
torney and advised as to this person
Chris Bachelor. The attorney adj
vised he would see Bachelor ride for
long time If l would indict him and
be able 10 find him. l then appeared
pei sonaIly before the county grand
jury as witness and requested they
hear Guy Props and return an fndict-
ment against Bachelor. l drew a men,
tai picture OF Props TO them and was
assured that an indictment would be
returned. They requested l produce
Props as another witness against Bach
eller.
1 then called at the Jail and had the
taller bring Props to the grand jury
room and after a while returned Props
to his cell where i remained and talked
with him. Props feels, although receiv-
ing no promises, that he will get
light sentence, due to his turning
states witness. Props also advised
Of the political influence his father
carries as does his brother and had
hoped they could do some good with
the judge. Props next advised of the
reform movement he had taken, ad-
vsing he had secured the Bible and
was going to put in his time studying
to be a Methodist clergyman.
| then called on the Circuit court
clerk and requested him to issue a
subpoena for certain witness so as ]
could find if possible location of Chris
Bachelor. This was done. ! next called
on the commonwealth attorney and adj
yised him of the supposed influence
of Props people, and was advised that
Props is in the wrong county to bring
any pressure.
At $50 p. m. the fire alarm sounded
and we learned the Jail was on fire,
Elton and self rushed for Jail and in
event they released prisoners, we would
be there to take Guy Props. The fire
which was started in cell by drunk
was confined in the one section OF
the building and although prisoners
were turned out of cells, they were
kept in the Jail proper. After the fire
Props was safely lodged in his cell.
Next day | met the Judge and was
brothers were in town and had called
on the Judge. The judge advised M
Props that the only one who could
help him would be the writer and sug-
gested that he see me. / called at tfe
state bank and from the cashier learned
that Mr.. Props had called there ard
offered i, compromise of paying the
loss of the bank through forged checKs
If the bank would influence the writer
to accept a two-year sentence which
could be arranged for with the court
The cashier asked my opinion and
advised I thought it best to make an
example of the subject, calling atten-
ton to the fact that not only is the
state bank being protected by placing
Cup Props in Jail for ten years but
all banks.
The cashier then made me acquainted
with the president of the bank, VINO
was not so familiar with the case and
thought IT would be satisfactory to ac-
cept the banks loss and have Props
sentenced to two years. | then called
his attention to the fact that Props had
committed forgeries on another bank,
also called his attention to the charac-
ter of Guy Props and told him 1T was
only an act of Providence that Props
was taken without any OF my party
being shot.
| then called at the courthouse anu
there met Mr. Props who offered me
compromise as mentioned above. ! ad-
yised Mr.. Props that when Guy was
arraigned last week that i had oniV
FIVE indictments returned against him
but since then 1 have had two NOR,
making a total of seven, that sentence
on each was two to ten years, that
was going to insist on Guy being tried
on each indictment and advised him,
IL Gus were tried, the best he could
hope for would be the minimum or
fourteen years. Props then tried to
get to the commonwealth attorney, also
the Judge, and on each occasion was
referred back to me.
Mr.. Props then suggested we don't
try Guy but that he accept the ten
wear sentence. This message was con-
viewed to me by the commonwealth
attorney and met with my approval
The jury was called and instructed
by the Judge that by mutual agree
ment with all concerned that Guy
Props would be sentenced to ten years.
The foreman of the Jury, female, signed
the papers finding Guy Props guilty
and sentenced ten years in the state
napifaufiary