Evening Republican, Volume 17, Number 26, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 January 1913 — BRAKE, OPERATOR, MADE BAD BREAK [ARTICLE]

BRAKE, OPERATOR, MADE BAD BREAK

Drew Salary From Money Drawer and Took French Leave—Caught at Delphi—Squared Up. ■* - ■ William Brake, the Monon operator whose wife recently died here, after a sickness of a month, during which time it was alleged she suffered very much from the neglect of her husband and father to care for her, took a sudden notion to leave Rensselaer Wednesday night, following a day during which he is alleged to have drank considerable whiskey. Brake worked at nights, his hours being from 11 at night to 7 in the morning. Just as passenger train No. 31 pulled out of Rensselaer this Thursday morning, Brake threw the keys to the ticket money drawer to “Billy” Frye, the busman, and told him to hand them to some one; Brake was on the steps of the train. Seeing that he had left town and neglected his post of duty Mr. Frye at once notified Agent Beam, who hurried to the depot and telegraphed for Brake’s arrest He was apprehended before Delphi was reached and was placed under arrest and later tu'rned over to “Bulger” Hayes, one of the Monon’s special agents. Hayes brough him back to Rensselaer on No. 32, due here at 10:12, less than six hours from the time he had taken French leave. Brake had left a note for Agent Beam, which read: ‘I took what the case is short and left on 31. Please pay Mrs. Barnes a week’s board as soon as you get my time check. Too lonesome here for me.” Agent Beam found upon investigation that Brake had taken $19.06 and left $2.13 in the money drawer. He had about $24 due him from the company and evidently had aimed to take what was due him less a week’s board. He had matje no provision for settling his doctor bill not a grocery account of $13.49 When arrested he had the money with him, also about $25 besides. He turned the company’s money over to Agent Beam and it was decided not to hold him longer and he was released. He went to Barnes’ restaurant and arranged to have hig board paid when his cheek comes to Agent Beam, and the grocers have also filed their bill for collection. Brake’s break might have landed him in jail and he was -"mighty badly frightened when he was taken into custody and also mightlyglad to procure his release so easily. His associations here have been with a bad class and he evidently is from the class of undesirables that Rensselaer is glad to part company with. He will not be employed by the Monon again and it is probable will have difficulty in securing employment any place as an operator.