The Burglar Returns to Chicago--Revelations by the Way--The Missing
Five Thousand Dollars.
As I had received no tidings of John Manning since his departure from
Minneapolis, it may be imagined that I was considerably relieved when
his brief but comprehensive telegram from Butte City was received. So
long a time had elapsed since he had been able to transmit me any
definite information about his movements, that I had begun to grow
alarmed, not only for the successful termination of his pursuit, but for
his personal safety. Now, however, all my fears were set at rest; the
daring and ambitious detective was safe and well, and in addition to
this he had succeeded in capturing the fugitive, who was now in his
custody. The chase had been a long and fatiguing one, but victory had
crowned our efforts, and the entire quartette of criminals were now in
the hands of the officers of the law, and would be held to answer for
their crimes. The pursuit of Duncan had been most admirably carried out
by my trusted operative, and Manning was deserving of unstinted credit
for the sagacious mind and untiring spirit he displayed. So thoroughly
determined had he been to secure his prisoner, that no consideration of
personal comfort, or even necessary rest, had been allowed to interfere
with his movements. With more than a month elapsing between the
commission of the crime and the commencement of the chase, and traveling
over a country thinly settled and semi-barbarous, I regarded the victory
which he had achieved as one deserving of the highest encomiums, and
reflecting great credit upon his skill, determination and pertinacity.
Mr. Silby and the bank officials were immediately notified of Duncan's
capture, and their satisfaction was unbounded; their congratulations
were unsparingly uttered, and their words of commendation were of the
heartiest and warmest character. They were now fully satisfied that the
vexing problem of the missing five thousand dollars in coin would be
solved, and earnestly hoped that the solution would inure to their
advantage. However, nothing could be done in the matter until the
arrival of Duncan, and we impatiently awaited his appearance.
The next morning after his arrest Duncan was placed on the train, and in
company with John Manning started for Chicago. The detective had
experienced no difficulty in disposing of the horse owned by the young
prisoner, and Mr. Livermore, the stable-man, became his purchaser for a
fair price. Having experienced quite as much of the discomforts and
fatigues of traveling by stage coach and on horseback as he desired,
Manning resolved to return to Chicago by rail, and he accordingly took
passage on the Idaho division of the Union Pacific railroad, which would
be both a more expeditious and comfortable mode of traveling, besides
being a safe method of conducting a prisoner.
Ever since his arrest Duncan had been sullen and uncommunicative. He was
evidently crushed by the sudden and surprising turn which affairs had
taken. In the moment of his triumph he had fallen, and when he fancied
himself the most secure, defeat and detection had overtaken him. It was
not long, however, after they had started upon their return journey, ere
Manning succeeded in breaking through his reserve, and in inducing him
to talk freely. To the young man's credit be it said, that the first
inquiry he made was in regard to the recovery of Miss Patton, the young
lady whom he had assaulted in the bank, and when he learned of her
speedy and complete recovery, he seemed quite relieved. He expressed the
most intense regret at having been compelled, as he put it, to treat her
so roughly, and he added, "I tell you she was a plucky little woman, and
had Eugene Pearson been an honest man and fought as well as she did, we
never could have got that money."
"She is certainly a brave girl," replied Manning.
"Why, look here," exclaimed Duncan, extending his left hand toward him,
upon two fingers of which the detective noticed several dark-looking and
freshly-healed scars. "I was compelled to strike her. She fastened her
teeth into my hand, and bit me to the bone. I never could have got loose
without that; as it was, my hand bled terribly, and was a long time in
healing, besides being excessively painful."
By degrees the detective led him to speak of his connection with the
robbery, and after a momentary hesitation he revealed the whole story,
which in every particular coincided with that already told by Newton
Edwards. He stated that being in Chicago without money, and without a
friend except Edwards, he had requested a loan from him, which was
readily granted. Then followed another drinking spree in company with
his friend, and during its continuance Edwards proposed the robbery, and
explained how easily and safely it might be accomplished. Lured by the
glittering prospect and intoxicated as he was, he gave a ready consent
to enter into the scheme, and almost before he was aware of it, and
certainly before he became thoroughly sober, the burglary had been
committed, and with his ill-gotten gains he was on the road, seeking to
escape from the consequences of his crime. He professed sincere
repentance for what he had done, and stated that this was his first
offense, which would now have to be atoned for by a long term of
imprisonment.
As they progressed upon their way, and when about fifty miles out,
Duncan informed the detective that he had met a noted rough in Butte
City who was known as Texas Jack, and that this man had told his cousin
that, if he desired it, a party could be raised, who would waylay the
train and effect his rescue.
"What would you have done if they had made the attempt?" asked Duncan,
jocularly.
"Well," answered Manning coolly, and with determination, "they might
have taken you, but it would have been after I had put a bullet through
your brain."
The quiet and resolute tone in which this was said, caused the robber's
cheek to turn pale, as he saw the determined spirit of the man with whom
he had to deal. It is needless to say that no attempt was made to effect
a rescue, nor had Manning any fears that such an effort would be made,
but he deemed it wise to give his prisoner a quiet but firm hint as to
what the consequences would be if a rescue was attempted.
During the remainder of the journey Duncan was as cheerful and pleasant
in his manner as though no thought of a prison entered his mind, and the
detective experienced no trouble or annoyance with him whatever.
Two days later they arrived at Council Bluffs, where they changed cars,
and, taking the Rock Island route, they were not long in reaching
Chicago. Manning brought his prisoner to my agency, where he was taken
care of until arrangements could be made for his transportation to
Geneva.
I cannot express the satisfaction I experienced when I realized at last
that our chase was over, and that a full and satisfying victory had
attended our efforts in this matter. All of the prisoners were now
taken, and, except for the solution of the question of the missing five
thousand dollars, our work had been successfully accomplished.
Another matter Duncan had related to Manning while upon their journey,
which, while unfortunate for us, at the same time did not detract from
the victory we had gained. It appeared that, while traveling from
Bozeman to Helena, Duncan had occasion to use his pocket-handkerchief,
and, in pulling it out of his pocket, he also drew out a small package
of notes which he carried loosely in his pocket, and which contained
nearly five hundred dollars. This was exceedingly unfortunate, and
accounted in some measure for the small amount of money which was found
upon Duncan's person at the time of his capture.
However, this was of comparatively trifling importance, when the
important features of his arrest are considered, and when even the
amount of fifteen hundred dollars had been actually recovered.
On the whole, I was very well contented with affairs as they were, and
as far as the bank was concerned, there was every indication of
thankfulness and rejoicing.