|
St. Louis, Mo., Nov. 6 – The police today made
another important arrest in connection with the
Great Northern Express robbery of July3 last, near
Wagner, Montana, and secured a valise containing
between $30,000 and $50,000 of the notes of the
National bank of Helena, supposed to have been part
of the proceeds of that haul.
A
woman who had registered at the Laelede hotel as
“Mrs. Rose.” Was taken into custody today by city
detectives and escorted to Chief Desmond’s office,
where she confessed that she had forged the
signatures of officers of the Helena National bank
to the notes. Beyond that statement, the woman would
not say a word, other than to deny any knowledge of
the man named Arnold, whom the police arrested last
night in connection with the robbery.
The arrest was made just as “Mrs. Rose” was leaving
the hotel. She carried a back in which was a mass of
20 dollar bills. This, with her trunk, that was just
being loaded into an express wagon, are now at
police headquarters, and the contents are now being
examined. “Mrs. Rose” did not know how much money
the valise contained. When she counted it last she
said there was on hand something between $30,000 and
$50,000. She had spent much money since her arrival
in St. Louis.
“Mrs. Rose” was remarkably calm when she reached the
Four Courts. At first she refused to make a
statement, insisting that she had done nothing, and
the authorities were holding her without warrant of
law. She maintained that she had been out West and
knew nothing of any Montana robbery.
She said she came here with her husband, direct from
Vicksburg, Miss., and in response to Chief Desmond’s
questions said the latter place was her home.
She knew nothing of any man by the name of Arnold.
When questioned as to her purpose in trying to leave
the city so hurriedly, she said she intended to get
away anyhow today. Asked as to the bank notes, she
said they belonged to her. Chief Desmond questioned
her at length and finally she broke down and
confessed that she had forged the signatures of the
officers of the Helena National bank to the notes.
John Arnold, alias Harvey Logan, alias J.W. Rose,
and Mrs. Rose registered at the Lacede hotel
last Friday. They were assigned to room 100 on the
second floor.
“I seldom saw them about the hotel,” said Clerk
Green. “Usually they were away in the evenings.
There was nothing about them to indicate that they
had a great deal of money. Mrs. Rose dressed rather
neatly and carried herself with perfect dignity.”
The couple gave their address as Vicksburg and told
the clerk they would probably remain two or three
weeks. Mrs. Rose is small and slender. She
apparently is 23 years old.
The arrests came about through information filed
Tuesday afternoon at police headquarters by Max
Barnett of the Globe Loan agency. Mr. Barnett said
that a man had entered his place of business and
bought a watch, the price of which was $85. The
stranger proffered four new $20 bills. They were
accepted without question. Barnett later took them
to the Mechanics bank for deposit but the teller
would not accept them as he believed they were a
part of the bills stolen from the express train at
Wagner, Mont. Barnett went to the Four Courts and
related what had occurred to Chief of Detectives
Desmond. He gave an accurate description of the man
wanted and detectives were at once detailed to find
him. It was after 11 o’clock last night when the
detectives located him in a Chestnut Street resort.
The man was taken by surprise. He attempted to draw
a pistol, but the officers overpowered him before he
could draw either of the revolvers he carried. In
his pockets was found $400 in new bank notes which
police believe to be a part of the proceeds of the
express robbery. He also carried a valuable watch
and jewelry.
Longabaugh was in Chief Desmond’s office for several
hours today and was photographed. Secret Service
agent Murphy and H.J. Hoffman, the local agent for
the Pinkertons, were present. Longabaugh was
identified though Pinkerton circulars issued
immediately after the robbery, describing him.
Longbaugh would make no connected statement to the
chief. He declined to answer questions.
The only statement he would make was that he had
obtained the money in a gambling game in Memphis.
When arrested at the hotel the Rose woman is said to
have told Detective Shevlin, who reported it to
Chief Desmond, that she forged the names of bank
officers to the notes. She denied this to Chief
Desmond afterward. In answering questions, the woman
told Chief Desmond that her home was in Kentucky and
that the money found in her possession was given to
her by a man named Williams. She would not give the
name of the town in Kentucky or any further
information about the man or the money. |
