Evening star., 1934-08-01
'TR|-STATE' GANG
MEMBER BROUGHT
HERE FROM COAST
Arthur Misanas Declared to
Have Attempted Suicide
En- Route.
GUNMAN is TRACED
TO SAN FRANCISCO
Alleged to Be Ready to Confess
to Part in D. c. Mail Truck
Robbery.

Arthur Misanas, 81. last Of the So
called "Tri-State' gang TO be ar
rested. was returned TO Washington
today. after a Trip here from San
Francisco that was marked by what
was described SIS an attempted su-
icide.
MiSanas arrived at Union Station
in the custody of Detective Sergt
Floyd Truscott and Post once In
spector Leo De Ward. Misanas.
called Dutch" by his captors. was
handcuffed by his left wrist to Tru-
scott.
His right wrist was wrapped In
gauze. and although officially he had
"a skin infection" 1t was learned
that he had cut 1t with a safety
razor blade before reaching Chicago.
He was in a state room with Tru-
scott and De Ward when the futile
attempt was made.
Ofiicials Silent.
Officially, however, T. M. Milligan,
post Office inspector in charge, and
Capt. Bernard w. Thompson, assist
ant chief of detectives, denied know
ledge of the incident. Thompson said
he observed the wrapped wrist, but
did not know why 1t was swathed in
gauze. Milligan simply said he knew
nothing about it,
Misanas, traced by his mail to San
Francisco, was picked up by city po-
lice there July "a at the request of
the Post ONCE Department.
Upon the arrival Of De Ward and
Truscot. in the coast city, he waived
extradition and returned willingly.
II was also learned that he con-
fessed participation in some of the
series of crimes charged against the
Tri-State" gang, and although Off.
cials refused TO allow MIN to be in
teryiewed, it was learned that he
Indicated willingness to plead guilty
here to charge of participating in
the hold-up of a mail truck at Union
Station last April.
Misanas is under indictment with
four others at Richmond, charged
with the murder of E. M. Huband,
driver of a mail truck for the Fed
eral Reserve Bank there. The others
involved were William Davis, alleged
leader of the gang, after the shoot
ing here of William B. (Big George
Phillips by Policeman John A. Caton !:
Herbert Myers, killed two weeks ago
in New York by detectives: Robert
Mais, shot and wounded in Phila-
delphia and afterward returned to
Richmond, and John Kendrick, now
in the District Jail, awaiting return
to Richmond or to q l0-year SEN
tence at Lorton Reformatory, from
which he escaped.
Met by Detectives.
Misanas was met at Union Sta
ton this morning by a detail of
Washington detectives under COM
mand of Capt. Thompson and a half
dozen rostal inspectors under COM
mand of Milligan.
He was taken directly to police
headquarters and after nearly three
hours of questioning there was re-
moved to the first precinct and held
ineommunicado.
At headquarters police said the en-
tire case had been turned over to
Milligan and postal authorities.
II was learned that no plans have
been made to arraign him here and
that he probably will be kept in
Washington for several days while So
Spectors continue their Investigations.
MiSanas is also wanted in Balti-
more for series of robberies, in Phil
adelphia and in Upper Darby, Pa,
where Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Fontaine,
81. alleged sweetheart of Phillips, was
shot shortly after Phillips was killed
here.
Misanas is described by officers as
"the least known and most dangerous"
member OF the gang. Nearly feet
tail, he weighs close TO ITO pounds,
and is active on his feet.
Maintains Defiant Position.
When he was hurried through the
Union Station this morning. he kept
his head up and was defiant of the
gaze of the crowd that Immediately
surrounded him when photographers
flashlights were set off
Truscott. tall but thin, appeared
small by comparison, as the two.
cutfed together, rushed through the
station. They halted for moment,
however. when Dutch" expressed a
desire for his own brand of cigarettes
and De Ward took time TO appease
him.
Once in the police car. Capt Thomp-
son gave his place to Milligan. and
escorted by two other cars, the pris-
oner was sped directly 10 police head
quarters,
There Misanas was allowed to relax
for few minutes; his handouts were
removed and he was left alone for 6
time.
After the long questioning, con-
Quoted by postal inspectors. with po-
lice as spectators, he was removed tc
the first precinct and given additional
medical attention.
1t was learned that he viii be QueS-
toned again later today regarding
the activities of his alleged associates
The trip back to Washington iron
San Francisco was completed in 81
hours and As minutes, using regular
train connections There was no diff
hcaty encountered transferring from
train to train, the officers reported.
Capt. thompson was elated with
the success IL capturing and return
ing Misanas To the Capital.
But We are by no means through
he said. we have plenty more work
TO do. but We are mighty pleased that
we've got the last member Of the
gang"
Fall From Roof Fatal