People's Pilot, Volume 2, Number 42, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 April 1893 — SENSATIONAL ARRESTS. [ARTICLE]

SENSATIONAL ARRESTS.

A. R. Sutton and His Bookeeper Jailed at Louisville on Charges of Forgery. LOUISVILLE, KY., April 1—A. R. Sutton and his confidential bookkeeper, William Becher, are at last in jail. Both are locked up, with bonds of $50,000 demanded for their release. All day long the victimized bankers were in consultation, but no action was taken until late in the afternoon. The arrests were looked for early in the day, but when no action was taken by the bankers it was thought that no arrests would be made at all.

Chief of Detectives Owens was closeted with the bankers. At 4:30 the chief emerged from the consultation room, and, accompanied by Cashier J. W. Nichols, of the Farmers’ & Drovers’ bank, made at once for the city hall. Reaching the office of the city clerk Cashier Nichols swore out three warrants against Sutton and Becher. Both were charged with the crime of forgery and issuing forged instruments. Armed with the warrants Chief of Detectives Owens, accompanied by two policemen, went in search of Sutton and Becher. Sutton was found in the office of Thomas H. Sherley, national democratic committeeman for the state. When told he was wanted he willingly agreed to accompany the officers. Arriving opposite the office of Sutton & Co. Becher was seen at work on his books. He was guarded by a detective, and at a signal from Chief Owens he was also arrested and joined his employer. The couple were hustled on board a street car and quickly conveyed to jail. The news of the arrest spread like wildfire and a mob followed the party to the jail. Arriving there the bond examiner was sent for and announced that the bond for each would be $50, - 000. An effort was made to get a bonsman for Sutton, but this proved unavailing. Both men were locked in separate cells, where they spent the night. Becher is believed to be weakening, and a confession is looked for. Sutton before his arrest had arranged and was preparing to turn over all his assets to T. Sherley & Co. to sell and pay his debts, as he still claims that he has sufficient whisky to meet all obligations, but no one believes this. So far as can be learned the holdings of the spurious collateral by various banks is as follows: Louisville Banking company, $20,000; Fourth national, $16,000; Farmers’ & Drovers’, $16,000; German security, $l4,500; German national, $20,000; People’s, $3,000; Western national, $15,000; Louisville deposit, $13,000.