St. Louis Post-Dispatch
January 27, 1898

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.” the city thoroughly ang from their investi- ee $ wher: z ee rt ae ates 7; ¥ ge ae aes RRP AE a Ae of DEP oN 3 ies “ea = i Oe | a ae > 3 : are P Ng ? am - ttl Z ay a si a yey ‘ BP ett tae yaad) em ™ Lied ee San At alas th Fe ot Sele J . ee We Wr , « 17 = F e (COMPLETE, MARKET REPORTS.) TESLA ON LABOR. EFFECTS OF MACHINERY AND ELECTRICITY Who knows more about electrical science than any other man save, perhaps, Edison, writes for the next SUNDAY POST-DISPATCH ST.LOUIS POST-DISPATCH. THE ONLY ST. LOUIS EVENING PAPER WITH THE ASSOCIATED PRESS DISPATCHES, CIRCULATION SUNDAY, JANUARY 23, 1898. - TWELVE PAGES. 113,901, ST EDITION. (COMI’LETE MAHKET REPORTS.) ~ VOL. 49, NO. 171. THURSDAY EVENING—ST. LOUIS—JANUARY 27, 1898. Sp, ENEMA EM OE PRICE 3"; In St. Outside St. Louis, Two Cents, Louis, One Cent. EDISON Marks an era in the progress of the world. You know his accomplishments, but for his tenderer side see the next SUNDAY POST-DISPATCH LOVE AFFAIRS OF THE WORLD'S GREAT MEN. THREE MEN KNOW THIS MAN'S NAME. Attorney Jesse McDonald, Judge Madill and the Prisoner Him- self Guard the Secret of the Identity of the Mysterious Robber. HIS LEFT ARM HAS BEEN BROKEN BELOW THE ELBOW, NO MARKS ON HIS CLOTHING TO BETRAY HIS IDENTITY. Well oie Educated, of Refined Manner and Cool and Collected Under Examination. Jt Is Known That the Prisoner Is a Stranger Who Had Been in St. Louis a Few Days. As a mystery “John Smith” bids fair to : rival the ‘“‘Man with the Iron Mask.” The young prisoner in the Four Courts holdover, who demanded $6000 from Judge Madill, President of the Union Trust Co., offering him the alternative of death, has @o far baffled every attempt by those who have sought to identify him. The St. Louls police confess they cannot solve the puzzle; the police of other cities have been appealed to, go far without suc- cess, As an aid to a possible solution the camera has been brought into use, and eo has that clever system originated by Bertillion of Paris. The prisoner has been measured go that even the length of his ears, his jaw and his nose are known. The color of his eyes, the length of his hair have been noted, and these accurate ‘de- scriptions, in which every detail figures, will to-day be sent broadcast over the coun- try, providing strenuous efforts, made in other directions, fail to disclose that which justice demands—the name and history of the young man who planned and attempted to carry out one of the most daring rob- beries of record in this city. Aside from this mystery the prisoner a& the Four Courts igs most interesting. At- torney Jesse McDonald, one of two men who hold the key to a solution, and who is forbidden by professional reasons from furnishing it to the authorities, says his client igs of no particular consequence and that his family is not prominent. Yet this new mystery of the Four Courts is a young man of more than ordinary intelligence; his language, when he con- descends to speak at all, denotes a thor- ough education, and his manner refine- ment. , His clothing would indicate that he holds or once held a position in soclety—when it ts taken in connection with refinement of manner—and this hypothesis bars of course the theory that he {s a criminal and has figured before in police affairs—and to this Mr. McDonald has entered a positive de- nial This clothing consists of a white fedora hat, a blue-black overcoat of melton, a dlack frock suit of dark goods with a light stripe, tan shoes, oxbiood color, and point- ed toes, On his hand are two plain gold rings. This clothing is comparatively new. Yet he does not wear it as one unaccustomed to new things; rather as one who wishes to always appear neat and dressed in the Jatest style This “John Smith” is young, not possibly over 2, perhaps not that age. Why, his up- per lip and chin indicate that he has never used a razor. Yet he has the self-confidence of a voteran, and is as cool and self-pos- sessed under the most trying circumstances @6 a man could be, seated In his library, en- joying a good cigar and a novel. Some of the most desperate criminals hav been broken down in the police ‘‘sweat- box."’ This room, where by bulldozing, ca- joling and threaténing, detectives worm se- crets from those who defy the laws, evi- dently had no terrors for “John Smith.” He answers such questions as he wants to, and to others he pays no aitention. Those he has answered have furnished no ciew. Chief Harrigan thought “John Smith's” hands might furnish a start for detectives, who are ready to commence on the slightest foundation. and somewhat coarse. “What are you?’ asked Chief Harrigan. “A laboring man,” replied “John Smith.’’ “Let me see your palms? The -Mystery held out his hands and laughed. The palms were soft. « Buch redness of flesh might have been caused by acid; it might have been caused by excessive use of soap. The latter clew Was cast aside. The former was hugged in the belief that John Smith might be a medical student. The bottle of castor of] and the scissors fe.ad on the prisoner strengthened this. A reporter for the Post-Dispatch .visited ev- @éry medical college in St. Louls, ‘John Smith’ was not known by the professors or students and no student was mysteriously missing. Added to-the mystery is the peculiar ac- tion of the person most interested in the case, Judge Madill. He ts in frequent con- 6ultation with Attorney McDonald. Hie evades with a lawyer's cleverness all direct questions. He saya he will prosecute the prisoner, but will not #tate when or how. Post-Dispatch reporters have canvassed gations it haa been oréven almost beyond dispute that “John Sm! * ie not a 8t. Lou- a SIDE VIEW OF “JOHN SMITH’S” FACE. (From a Photograph.) AY yaya Bs Veet, 3 be cre Bho saa ies ts oes LAr? Vf s aL Mehavs Ton wt * » 1% THIS IS THE MYSTERIOUS The Post-Dispatch will pay $25 reward to the first person who identifies the prisoner. - on, . ~~. oe ~~. ~~ » - \ ee ee + oe ee ~~ | myself. Judge Madill will be forced to ap- “JOHN SMITH.” Madill had been a coward he would have given up the money.’ “Well, there is nothing before me. Why do you want to anticipate what I would do? If the officers who made the arrest come before me I will decide what I will do. I will do what I think is right, as I do in every case.”’ “Cannot a warrant be issued and Judge Madiil forced to testify?” ‘There is a etatute covering robbery and attempted robbery. You go to the Circult Attorney, who has control of the grand jury, and see what he has to say. This is only a preliminary court anyway.” Ghief Desmond was next seen. At the first question he wanted to refer the re- porter to Chief Harrigan. “T have seen the Chief,”’ the reporter said, “and now I want to ask you a plain ques- tion. Mr. Johnson says if the detectives who made the arrest come before him he will decide about issuing a warrant. Now your men arrested him. Will you send them to the warrant office?” “What does the Chief say?” “The Chief says he hag not made up his mind.” “Well, you come back later and I will give you a dgfinite answer.”’ But in spite of this general waiting on Judge Madill ‘John Smith” will be held and prosecuted The reporter sought Circuit Attorney Eg- gers and laid the case before him, “You bet he will be prosecuted,” Mr. Eggers with emphasis. him sure.” “When?” “As soon as the grand jury comes to- gether on Monday.” “But what will hold him in the mean- time?’ “Why, hasn’t a warrant been issued?’ “No. Judge Madill has not sworn out one, nor has the Police Department.” “Well, in spite of Judge Madill, be indicted. said “I will indict he will I will swear out the warrant These hands are large, reddish | following results: rings on third finger of left hand. Property—Had one small Manner—He is shrewd, enue.”’ They are as follows: Small burn on front of left wrist. Small cut left first finger. brow. received. Small cut left thumb, second joint. Small cut left thumb below the tip. Small cut middle finger rigut hand. Small round scar above left eye- WHO IS THIS MAN? DESCRIPTION OF JOHN SMITH. The mysterious man was measured by the Bertillon system with the Description—Age, 22 years; weight, 156 pounds; build, medium stout; height, 5 feet 10 1-4 inches; hair, dark brown, cut close; eyes, lignt hazel; nativity, American; wears new gold-rimmed spectacles. Clothing—Sack suit of dark ground, shoes, stained ox blood color, with pointed toe; long blus black Melton cloth overcoat, with black velvet collar; white Fedora hat, nearly new, and for disguise a black cloth peaked cap; high standing collar, with turned down points; white shirt, small four-in-hand necktie, wears two narrow plain gold with a narrow white stripe; tan Features—Sharp, prominent nose; fresh, fair complexion, somewhat sun- burned; thick lips; a deep, heavy chin; downy growth of mustache and beard. Marks—Left arm shows an old fracture, which has been imperfectly set. bottle of castor oil; $5.45 in changes; a pair of small scissors similar to those used by surgeons; a new hammerless, double-action Smith & Wesson revolver, with pearl handle and nickel barrel. cool and an intelligent talker. Clew—He carried a memorandum giving the address “4238 Evans av- hands large and reugh; very slight Scars and Identifying Marks—A close examination of the prisoner re- vealed a number of slight scars, all of them well healed, and not noticeable, except on close scrutiny, but which may help to identify him. . Small round scar at root of nose. Small round scar on left cheek. Two small scars, close together, on right jaw. Slight cut below lower lip. Slight cut under point of chin. Two back teeth on the left side are filled. “John Smith” refused to give any history of how these various scars were Special Notice—The man disappeared from his usual environments a. 11:50 Tuesday morning, when he was arrested while attempting to rob President Madill of the Union Trust Co. of $5000. carry hie identity with him to the peniten- tlary if necessary. The prisoner says the same. Will he? a a JUDGE MADILL’S PLANS. ce ED Says He Will -Prosecute and Adds More Mystery. Judge Madill and Attorney Jesse McDon- aki had a conference in the office of the Union Trust Co, Thursday morning at 9:30 o’elock. The judge was good-natured, but manifestiy implacable, for when the attor- ney had departed the judge said: “Certainly I intend to prosecute the case. Why shouldn't I?’ “Will you swear out a warrant to-day?" he was asked. isan, *awyer MoDonald | “I think » man is @ great fool who jill ee _-—-—_—— tell what he ts going to do about anything: don’t you? Wait and see, I have my own opinion as to how this case should be con- ducted. It is the business of the news- papers to satisfy public curiosity when it can. I admit that; but at the same time, [ propose to have more information on which to proceed, in order to make success a certainty.” “Will you make public now the contents if u le letter handed you py the young fel- low" “T willl be not. "T do not know.” “Will the Police Department prosecute him if Judge Madill refuses?” ‘T have not made up my mind.” “Ts {it not a dangerous precedent to let a man go who holds up bankers for lack of prosecution?” “tt. has committed no offense for which we can hold him without Judge Madill oe: ‘annot a warrant be sworn out and Pte: Madill be forced to subpena as a witness?’ “It has been-done, but not often. My ex- perience is that when a man does not wish to prosecute, no case is made.’’ “Will you take action to prosecute him?” “I think I shall be largely advised by Judge Madill’'s wishes in the matter.” “How long will you hold him?” *‘f@ cannot say. Long enough to establish his tdentity if possible.’’ “Will his picture be sent out and his de- scription to other cities for purposes of identification?’ “f do not think enough Interest w'll be felt in him in other cities, but his picture will be sent out?” ‘ ‘May he not be a dangerous criminal?’’ ‘He may be.” ‘Does the Police Department know the ore “T cannot answer for the Police Depart- ment. We have about 7% men on !t.”’ “Do the heads of departments, yourself and Mr. Desmond, know?” “I do not know, and I am satisfied Chief Desmond does not.” Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Johnson sought. In the shooting of young Davison by Dr. C. F. Simmons Davison re- fused to prosecute. Mr. Johnson took the position that the offense was a menace to the public safety, and that ff the police would apply he would issue a warrant. The warrant was issued on the testimony of the police, who did not see the shooting, but who gave the names of witnesses. A Post-Dispatch reporter called Mr. John- son's attention to his position in the §S!m- and asked him If this was nota parallel case. “I had not thought of this case tn that ilight,’’ said Col. Johnson. “‘The difference y. ia this, that these shootings are of dally occurrence, and the men shot at do not wish to prosecute. In this case {t seema to can act without Judge Madill.”’ “Rut if one such offense goes unpunished is notany and every banker exposed to such attempts?" asked the reporter. , a “No gun was fired and no money was ob- tained.” “But the attempt was made, and if Judge pear and testify. You may state positively that I will have the man indicted.” Sorry He Cannot Give a Good Story, the holdover Thursday morning, and he again refused to give any information of himself. prised that tnformation !s sought, will not commit himeelf. answers a question, significant, appear by a place of birth and residence, Poe simply no formation from me. give you a good story, because you are an | terprisin ou man en But K young ———— TALK WITH THE MYSTERY. but Is Unable to Do So. “John Smith” was interviewed again in and is not sur- | but he He is courteous, He is never off his guard either and never HACK LOADS OF STULEN JEWELRY, Trusted Clerk at Bolland’s Arrested for Theft. —_— -——> IS FRED HIS NAME URFER. HAS BEEN STEALING COSTLY GOODS FROM THE STORE FOR A LONG TIME. PLUNDER FOUND AT HIS HOME. Thousands of Dollars Worth of Stolen Jewelry Found in a Store Kept by the Prisoner’s Grandfather, — Fred Urfer, a trusted employe of the Bolland Jewelry Co., Seventh and Locust Streets, was arrested Thursday morning at the instance of Furlong’s Detective Agency. He is charged with having systematically robbed his employers of many thousands of dollars worth of goods, some of which were recovered from his home and from the jew- elry store of a relative. Urfer is only 22 years old. @ had been in the employ of the Bolland Jewelry Co. about ten years. “I practically raised him,” sald John F. Bolland, president of the company. “No man in our employ had our confidence so im- plicitly. Of late we have missed articles of so much value that we at last retained Mr. Furlong, in the hope of tracing the thief, whoever he might be, to his place of hiding. Urfer was the last man we would have sus- pected.”’ The young man lived with his mother and sisters at 1529A South Ninth street. His father died when Fred was only a boy and he went into the employ of Mr. Bolland as a messenger. Since then he has been stead- ily promoted, but it seems he Whs steadily pilfered from the firm until his etealings became noticeable. In this respect the case resembles that of young Rogers, who was arrested two years ago for similar conduct: in gon tion With the Mermod & Jaccard Jeet Co, In Urfer’s case the detectives began a system of shadowing that led them even- tually to put a closer watch upon the young man. It was learned he wore fine jewelry when not on duty and thac he nightly car ried small bundles to his home. It was further discovered that he had disposed of some jewelry and silverware to his grandfather, J. J. Martin, who keeps aemall jewelry store at 2100 Gravols avenue. A search was made early Thureday morn- ing of Urfer’s home, and the gooda disposed of to Martin were !dentified by Mr. Bolland. It took a long while to get all the rare and costly goods together, and they more than filled all the available space in three large hacks. There was enough silverware alone to stock a small retail jewelry house, besides valuable jewels which could be carried in the pockets of the officers. “TI cannot yet tell the value of the goods recovered,” said Mr. Holland, as they were being unloaded. “It will take some hours to appra'se them. “At a rough guess the value will exceed at least $10,000. How much more than that [ am not willing to say, as I do not want to make any misstatements. “The robbery was systematic, and from all I can learn it has been going on for years. That fact is indicated by the char- however apparently in- without pausing to consider. and the detectives The Chief of Police acter of the goods.”’ Mr. Bolland appeared greatly depressed over Urfer’s downfall, and mentioned fre Eo | FRED URFER. Accused of Stealing $20, 000 Worth of romnany From the Bolland Jewelry Ca ee eee —_— ~~ am ve oe | ee een eee have e consequentiy not caught him napping ; quentiy and he has compié¢tely baffied them. After refusing, as usual, to give his name, he sald to a -Dispatch reporter Thursday: “It ia | use you trying to get any in- Il am sorry I cannot my frst consideration ‘a for mys i most raised the boy, | trade and business and Was in ali reepects ihile friend.” and slaters since work. ee _@s though to himeecif: “Yes, I al- taught him the jeweiry Urfer had been the support of his mother he was old enough te The young man waa taken directly to the Four Courts, and at noon a warrant was =~ CONTINUED ON PAGE UREEL ' a ee an’ ar ; . Tk om “ CONTINUED OX RAGR buRs —~——