Newton Edwards brought back to Chicago--Attempt to Induce a
Confession--A Visit to his Relatives--The Burglar Broken Down.
It was in the gray dawn of the morning when the party arrived at the
house of the constable, Daniel Bascom. Here breakfast was prepared, and
after full justice had been done to a bountiful repast, an examination
of the effects of Newton Edwards was commenced. Ever since his arrest
the young man had maintained a rigid silence, not deigning to notice the
detectives in any manner whatever. He partook of his breakfast in a
dazed, dreamy fashion, scarcely eating anything, and pushing back his
plate as though unable to force himself to partake of food. In his
satchel was discovered a roll of bank-bills, which on being counted was
found to contain a trifle over three thousand five hundred dollars.
Edwards gazed at this money with a greedy, frightened look, like a wild
beast at bay, but did not utter a word, as Robert placed it in a large
envelope and secured it about his person.
"Will you be kind enough to inform me," said Robert, when this was
completed, "how you come to have so much money about you?"
After a moment's hesitation, Edwards replied, doggedly:
"Yes, sir, I will. It is the proceeds of the sale of some property that
I owned in the west."
"Very well," replied Robert, finding it useless, at present, to attempt
to induce him to tell the truth. "You will have ample opportunity to
satisfy a court and jury upon that point in a very short time."
Nothing farther was said to him until the time arrived for departing,
and then the party, with their prisoner, walked into the village in
order to take the stage for the railroad station at Birmingham.
Before leaving Mr. Bascom's, however, Robert handsomely remunerated the
energetic constable for his valuable assistance, and after thanking him
warmly for his active and cordial aid in our behalf, requested his
company to the village.
As they approached the store, where the stage-coach was in waiting, they
found an unusual crowd awaiting their appearance. The news of the
robbery and arrest had by some means become known, and the eager faces
of nearly three score of curiosity-seekers greeted them upon their
arrival.
Old Jerry himself seemed to be impressed with an idea of additional
importance, as though he was about to be called upon to perform a noble
service of great responsibility to his country, in assisting to convey
such a distinguished company in his old coach. The farmers gathered in
little groups about the platform, and conversed in low tones, as they
furtively regarded with sentiments almost approaching a respectful awe,
the unwonted presence of the detectives and their charge. There was an
utter absence of the boisterous hilarity which had been manifested on
the preceding morning, and one might have thought that they had
assembled for the purpose of officiating at a funeral, so thoroughly
subdued and solemn did they all appear.
The journey to the railway station was made in due time, and without
accident, and the party were speeding on their way to Chicago. Robert
forbore to press the young man any further, and let him severely alone
during the entire day. During the night they all retired to their
sleeping berths, Edwards being securely handcuffed to one of my men, and
occupying the same berth with him.
In the morning, Robert noticed a slight change in the demeanor of
Edwards, and thought he detected a disposition to converse. He did not
encourage him, however, preferring by all means that the advances should
be made by the young man himself. Nor did he have long to wait. They
procured their breakfast in the dining car, and after the meal was
concluded, Robert, without uttering a word, handed Edwards a cigar,
which he very gratefully accepted. After sitting quietly smoking for a
few moments, he turned to Robert and asked: "Mr. Pinkerton, how did you
discover that I was in McDonald?"
"In the same manner in which we have discovered many other things in
connection with this robbery," replied Robert. "I may say, however, that
the man we came for was William R. Amos; do you know anything about such
a person?"
As Robert spoke he gazed scrutinizingly at the face before him, and
Edwards winced perceptibly under his glance.
"I can explain that all right," he at length replied, with considerable
embarrassment. "I got into some trouble at home with a young lady, and
thought it best to leave town for a short time."
"Edwards," said Robert sternly, "falsehood and impudence will not help
you in this case, and I wish to hear no more. I have only to say that we
have evidence enough against you to insure a conviction, and your only
hope lies in making your sentence as light as possible."
"How so?" he asked.
"By telling all you know about this matter. One of your accomplices, we
have got dead to rights, and if you won't tell perhaps he will."
"Who have you got?" inquired Edwards, anxiously.
"That I cannot tell you now; our business is with you for the present. I
want you to consider this matter carefully. You are a young man yet, and
though you have thrown away golden opportunities in the past, you have
yet an opportunity to reform your ways, and by assisting the officers of
justice in recovering the money which you and your companions have
stolen, and in arresting the rest of your associates, you may receive
the clemency of the court, and perhaps benefit yourself materially."
Edwards was silent for a long time after this, and it was evident that
he was seriously considering the matter. The words of the detective had
made an impression upon him, but with the craftiness of an old offender,
he was debating a plan by which he might turn his admissions into
account for himself. At length he turned to Robert and asked:
"Will I be able to escape if I tell what I know?"
"I cannot promise that. But you are aware that the giving of information
which leads to the capture of your associates and the recovery of the
balance of this money, will work to your advantage very decidedly in the
mind of the judge."
"Very well," said Edwards, with a dogged sullenness, "your advice is
very good, but I have no confession to make."
"Take your own course," said Robert, carelessly. "My advice was for your
own good, and as you don't seem willing to accept it, I have nothing
more to say."
Although he had not accomplished very much as yet, Robert was still
hopeful of inducing Edwards to unburden himself; but he resolved to
attempt nothing further with him until they arrived in Chicago, where he
could be managed more successfully by those who were more fully
conversant with the facts in the case. He well knew that we already
possessed testimony amply sufficient to convict Edwards of participating
in the robbery, but what we most desired was to obtain information
concerning his partners in the deed. However, he decided to allow him
ample time for reflection and said no more to him upon the subject until
they reached Chicago, when he was at once conducted to the agency.
A consultation was immediately held in order to devise the best means to
be pursued to induce Edwards to reveal who his partners really were.
William at once resolved upon a plan which he was hopeful would lead to
good and immediate results. Calling a carriage, he directed the driver
to take him to the residence of Edwards' sister, Mrs. Andrews, on Logan
Place. On arriving at the house, he found that lady and her daughter at
home, and he was immediately ushered into the parlor by the pretty
servant, Mary Crilly. Without unnecessary preliminary, William informed
the lady that we had succeeded in arresting Edwards for the robbery of
the Geneva Bank, and that he was now in custody. He also stated that
from information which he had obtained, he was led to believe that his
family were perfectly aware of his actions in this matter, if indeed
they had not aided him in accomplishing it.
At this point both mother and daughter burst into tears and sobbingly
denied any knowledge of Edwards' crime until after he had committed it,
and then they could not act as his accusers. Mrs. Andrews finally urged
him to visit Edwards' brother, who resided on Freeman street, and hinted
that he could tell something about the matter, although she asserted he
took no part in it, and knew nothing about it until it had been
completed.
Taking it for granted that they had told him all they knew about the
robbery, William next hurried to the place of business of Edwards'
brother, whom he was fortunate enough to find in his office, and
disengaged. He at once stated who he was, and what he wanted to know.
Mr. Edwards was at first disposed to deny all knowledge of the matter,
but on William's informing him of his brother's arrest, and hinting that
he had made a partial confession, he changed his mind and became quite
communicative.
The brother then stated that for years he had been troubled with
Newton's bad habits and extravagances, although he had never known him
to commit a crime until the robbery of the bank at Geneva. He remembered
hearing his brother boast once when he was intoxicated, that he could
get plenty of money without work; but as Newton gambled a great deal, he
imagined that he had alluded to that means of obtaining his money.
"Well," said William abruptly, "I want to know what you know about this
robbery."
"I will tell you all I know," answered Mr. Edwards. "Some three or four
weeks before I heard of this robbery, Newton was at my house, and was
intoxicated. He boasted in his maudlin way that he had an opportunity to
rob a bank, and that the cashier was a party to the affair; but I
attributed all this to the wild utterances of a drunken man, and paid no
further attention to it. On the Saturday night before the robbery took
place, however, he came to my house during my absence, and had a
companion with him, for whom he made a bed upon my parlor floor. In the
morning they went away, and I have not seen him since. My wife informed
me afterward that Newton, who was drunk at the time, had told her that
the man with him was the one that was to help him to rob the bank, and
that she had then ordered both of them out of the house. I did not at
any time know where the bank was located, nor did I ever seriously
entertain the idea of his attempting anything of the kind; but when I
heard of the robbery of the Geneva bank, I at once suspected my brother,
and although humiliated deeply at the thought, I could not take any step
that would tend to bring disgrace and ruin upon my own family."
Without entering into the question of family honor, William inquired:
"Do you know the man who was with him at your house, and who was to
assist in this robbery?"
"No," answered Mr. Edwards. "I never heard his name, and all that I ever
knew of him was that he came from Denver, Colorado."
"Can you describe him?" asked William.
"Yes, I think I can," said Mr. Edwards, and he then gave a description
of the man, which agreed perfectly with that of Edwards' companion on
the day of the robbery.
Having now obtained all the information that was possible to be gained
from this source, William returned to the agency, and entered the room
where Edwards was confined. He found the young man sitting with his
face buried in his hands and evidently in sore distress.
"Mr. Edwards," said William in his quick, imperious manner, "I have just
had an interview with your brother and sister, who have told me all they
know about this matter. You will readily see what little hope there is
left for you if you persist in keeping from us the information which we
desire. Whether you confess or not will make but little difference to us
now, as sooner or later your associates will be caught, and your refusal
to help us will only make it the harder for you. If you don't confess,
Eugene Pearson will."
As William uttered this last sentence Edwards started to his feet, and
exclaimed:
"My God, you know more than I thought! I will tell what I know."
At last we had succeeded in breaking him down, and there was a gleam of
satisfaction in William's eyes as he requested the presence of Mr.
Warner and my son Robert, while the story was being told.