Broughn, the broker, is a man of a different stripe, according to
Detective Barry, who arrested him. When he was informed of his arrest
he is said by the detective to have replied:
"Come down to the saloon next door. I will settle the case
at once. Name your price."
When arraigned before Justice Cochrane the cases were continued until
September 24. All the men were released on $1,200 bonds each, with
the exception of Broughn, whose bail was fixed at $800. The bonds
were signed by a professional bondsman at the Harrison Street Police
Station.
C. F. McGuire forfeited his bond and fled to New York City, where he
was apprehended and arrested by New York authorities at the request
of John M. Collins, the Chief of Police. The information which led to
his arrest was secured by Detective Wooldridge, WHO WAS MADE A SPECIAL
MESSENGER BY CHARLES S. DENEEN, GOVERNOR OF ILLINOIS.
C. F. McGuire was a powerfully built man, weighing 240 pounds and
standing over 6 feet tall. He was turned over by the New York
authorities to Detective Wooldridge, who slipped on him a pair of
handcuffs and crossed over to Jersey City on a ferry, and from there
took a section in a Pullman car on a fast train on the Pennsylvania
Railroad.
McGuire was put to bed in the upper berth, after he undressed.
Detective Wooldridge told him he was bringing him back like a
gentleman, but the first law of nature was self-protection. The
detective then requested him to turn over all his clothes except his
night shirt, which was done. Wooldridge then placed the clothes under
the mattress in the berth below, which he was to occupy. He then took
out a pair of leg irons, tied a strong cord to them, placed the leg
irons on McGuire, threw the cord back behind the berth below, and
this was tied to his hands after he had buttoned the berth curtains
and pinned them with safety pins all the way down. The curtains were
then stuffed in under his mattress. After all this was done Wooldridge
then laid down with his clothes on and laid awake until morning, but
managed to get some rest by laying down.
Chicago was reached in safety. After taking McGuire to the bureau,
where Bertillon measurements were taken and his finger prints
recorded, he was turned over to the sheriff of Cook County.
The trial was set, which lasted five days. Witnesses were brought from
the banks in New York City and Philadelphia which had been victimized.
February 7, 1908, found guilty.
CHECK "KITERS" HEAVILY FINED--GEORGE F. JOHNSTON AND C. F. MCGUIRE
ASSESSED $2,000 EACH.
A jury in Judge Kersten's court later returned a verdict finding
George F. Johnston and C. F. McGuire guilty of swindling and imposed
a fine of $2,000 each. If the fine be not paid the defendants will
be compelled to serve the amount at the rate of $1.50 a day in the
Bridewell. Chester A. Broughn and A. H. Hessley entered pleas of
guilty at the last minute and their cases will be disposed of later by
Judge Kersten. State's Attorney John J. Healy and Assistant State's
Attorney Barbour expressed themselves as pleased over the outcome of
the trial.