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About Morning Oregonian. (Portland, Or.) 1861-1937 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 22, 1902)
12 THE MOENING OEEGONIAtf, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 22, 1902. v THOMPSON OWNS UP He Is Notorious Slavin Road Highwayman. LONG LIST OF ROBBERIES He Tell Hovr He Terrorized a Whole Xelgrhfeorhood for Months, and How He Evaded Sea ck of the Police. The notorious Slavin and White House roads robber, who has probably held up over 30 people at the point of his re volver since November 9, and spread alarm over a -wide section of the country west of the Willamette River and south of Portland, has turned out to be Bennett Thompson, who was arrested Monday, along- with his bosom friend, Charles Wright, by Detectives Snow and Kerri gan. In the presence of Chief McLauch lan and the two detectives, Thompson made this confession yesterday: "I am the Slavin road robber. I don't remember how many people I have held up, as I've lost count, but guess I've done about 17 or 18 Jobs perhaps more. I did the work myself up to January 17. On that date Wright became my partner." It will be remembered that when he was interviewed Monday night Thompson denied that he ever held up anybody. Six weeks ago Detectives Snow and Ker rigan were sent out on the trail by Chief McLauchlan after the Slavin road rob ber. No "tips" were given by revengeful associates, anxious to see the mysterious highwayman jailed because he had not divided his spoils fairly, and the de tectives' sole Information was that the unknown Dick Turpln was a tall young man, who wore a mask, a slouch hat, and was often dressed in a long overcoat. Va rious tall young men around South Port land, Fulton, Oswego and other adjoining places began to get nervous, so hot did the chase become. Indeed, eeveral of these young men were brought to the po lice station by the detectives, now and then, after some daring act of highway robbery had been committed along the Slavin road, but the suspects were fortu nately able to prove an alibi In each case, and they were soon set at liberty. Chief McLauchlan got up early In the morning several times and drove along the dead line, but did not meet the robber. The Chief had no better luck at night. "Sure tip men" laid for the Chief in his private office, and the burden of their Invariable information was: "Hus-s-h. Say, I know who the Slavin robber is. Qf course I do not wish to be known in the matter, but in the interest of justice, the robber Is ," and some tall young man who re sided near the deadline visited by the robber was sure to be named. On one occasion several residents of Fulton urged the detectives to arrest a certain estimable young man who lives not very far from that suburb, principally because the young man referred to was about six feet tall, wore a soft hat and long overcoat, and was seen to take walks in the evenings to an unknown destina tion. The detectives made careful Inquiry after the suspect, but could find no grounds on which to make an arrest, and told the Fulton amateur detectives as much. They became angry and threat ened to send a deputation of Fulton peo ple to the police station to complain of the detectives conduct. Vnln Search for Robber. Policemen In plain clothes, and often dis guised as farm hands and peddlers, pa trolled Slavin road, looking for the rob ber. So did zealous Deputy Sheriffs. But the robber refused to be caught, and he continued to hold up people In defiance of everybody. It was a nervous time, and farmers refused to come Into town along the Slavin and White House roads unless live or six were together. There was even some talk of establishing an armed patrol. All the victims could do was to give a description of the robber and hope that they would not meet him again. When Thompson and Wright were ar rested Monday, the detectives thought they had the long and short highway men at last Wright Is six feet two Inches tall, and after examination it was seen that he was too sllmly built to be the Dick Turpln of Slavin road. The unknown one was vaguely described as a tall young, man, but of a "chunky" build. That de scription fitted Thompson, but Monday night and yesterday morning Thompson was the picture of injured innocence when the subject of the Slavin road robber was mentioned. Then he wa6 put into what is called the "sweat-box" in police cir cles, and he was sharply interrogated by Chief McLauchlan and the two detectives. The Chief afterward came out of his pri vate office and said: "Thompson has con fessed being the Slavin road robber. He has promised to show the detectives where he hid the mask he wore somewhere along the Slavin road and his revolver as well." The two detectives and Thompson took the street-cars and walked along' the Slavin road to find a tree where the pris oner said he usually hid the revolver, but he got confused and could not find the par ticular tree. Thompson next said he would show his captors the place wliere he had thrown his mask the last time he had oc casion to wear it, about three weeks ago. He led the way to a piece of brushwood and said: "This looks like the place," but a solemn-looking goat stood In the way to receive the party, and he was medltatlngly chewing something. Search was made for the crape mask, but it could not be found, and the opinion was expressed that the goat had eaten it. Thompson Orrns Up. Thompson was afterward Interviewed at the police station, and The Oregonlan man began: "Thompson, you have evi dently changed your mind since last night, when you stated you did .not know anything about the Slavin road hold-up artist?" "That's so," replied the prisoner, "I have made up my mind to make a clean breast of the whole affair. So. here goes. I'm the highway robber who did business on the Slavin and Whltehouse roads, and I guess I've stuck-up about 17 or 18 people." "Did you keep a list of the people you robbed?" "No. I did not keep books. What about the folks names? Oh, I did not ask their names at the time, and I did not keep track of the names, when they appeared in the newspapers." "Now, since November 9 there must have been about 30 people held up along the Slavin road, or in that section. Did you not hold up CO people?" "No, sir," with deep conviction. "Did you hold up Road Supervisor E. A. .Moses, about the middle of last month, when he had to give up his watch and chain, and 75 cents in money, on Mar quam Hill road?" Detective Kerrigan broke in: "Mr. Moses is the man with the whiskers who called here about an hour ago. You spoke to him' Thompson laughed and said: "Oh, I remember now. Yes, I stuck him, and I hung his watch chain on a near-by tree. Mn Moses did not recognize me at first when he called at the police station, and I said to him: 'Have you ever seen me before?' and then he said the same thing to me. So I talked some more to him, and he recognized me but said he did not know where ho had met me. I told him." ttld 'ot Rob Trolley-Car. "What about robbing a trolley-car, early in December, near Oregon City, when the passengers were forced to part with $8? Did you do this?" "I did not." "Another question. Are you the man who robbed W. C. Alderson. principal of the South Portland school when he lost $40 on the Slavin road near the Southern Pacific crossing? That was on Janu ary 12." Thompson thought for a moment and said: "No. I never did that Job. I quit the Slavin road business about Decem ber 24, when I tried to stick-up a fanner on the road going to Carson Heights. The farmer threw a hatchet at me, when I pulled my gun, and I ran. That scared me. Say, my revolver was only loaded two or three times, when I used It. If any of the guys had put up a fight be fore that, I would have had to run. The cartridges were 'fixed' anyway, so that they would not harm anybody If the gun did go off. I never had occasion to shoot at anyone. When I pulled the gun on them, up went both hands. I usually lay on a bank and when a team ap proached, I would pull the gun and the guy would throw what money he had on the ground, and then whip up the horses. Men on foot would run for their lives, after I stopped them. Until I met the fellow who threw the hatchet at me, I was not afraid of being shot. Say, I remember holding up four fel lows at Elk rock, near Oswego, and I did another Job near Guild's Lake, when I struck a man who sold milk and anoth er who drove a grocery wagon, but they did not have a cent." Had to Hnxtlc to Get ATvay. "What about your method of getting to the scene of your robberies, and get ting away agtin?" "In doing work on the Slavin road, I hustled as "hard as I could, and tried to hold up two or three people, perhaps more. In succession. Then I ran iver the hill and came Into town over the Marquam. Hlll, In the White House road business I used to lay around the water tank near the cemetery, and when I did the trick I walked 100 feet or so north and struck an old wood road until I got to the top of the hill, and then worked my way until I got to the end of the Third-street car line, I roomed usually In lodging-houses along Third street, and when I went out to do these stick-up Jobs I took the Third street trolley "car and went with It to Its destination, and walked the rest of the way. When I lay In the brush waiting to do business I often saw men I-suspected to be policemen and Deputy Sher iffs, but I laid low these times.'' "How much money did you get In your hold-ups before Wright Joined you?'' He Didn't Get Over ?10(). "I didn't get over $100," replied Thomp son. "It was soon spent; it went on drink." "Did you attend school when you were younger?" "Yes." "Sunday school?" "Never." "When did Wright Join you In the hold up business?" "Last Friday, when we held up the farmer and the Chinaman on the Barnes road. I used to know Wright when we were at the Reform School together. I was sent to the Reform School because I was a bad kid. I am 20 years old, and was born In Washington County. Say, Wright and I talked of holding up a cer tain fellow near the Falling School, but we thought when we met him that he didn't have the stuff (money), and we didn't touch him." WrlKht'H Partial Confession. Wright was seen again, and after con siderable persuasion he said: "I only knew Thompson a month. I never helped him on the Slavin road robberies. We became partners on the Barnes road robbery- That was our first Job together. I have disgraced my family by what I have done. I wish I had never listened to Thompson. He led me off my feet." The police think, however, that Wright will soon make a full confession, show ing the prtrt he took in his partnership with Thompson. OLDS. IRT1N HI FOR TWENTY-FOUR YEARS OUR GREAT ANNUAL CLEARANCE SALES Have been spreading broadcast the fame of this great Bargain Temple. The keynote of it '-all' is lowest prices for which superior goods can be sold. r " . BEST TIME-TO BUY HATS Don't try to make the old one do when stylish $6.50 to $14.00 Hats are here AT HALF PRICE. House Furnishings Thrifty people are taking ad vantage of these prices daily. Hemstitched Pillowslips, 45 x 36 inches, at - - 12ic ea White Crochet Quilts, full size,- at 85c, $1.05 and $1.25 ea Heavy Bath Towels, bleached' or brown, 20x40 in.. .12k ea Little Tilings at Littler Prices Fancy Toilet Soaps, worth to 50c, at 10c cake 13c Whisk Brooms . - . .9c ea 15c Shaving Brushes -. 9c ea 35c Hair Brushes . ..19c ea 19c Witch Hazel, at 14s Sample Curtains SLIGHTLY 3IUSSED. Worth.$1.50, at 97c pr Worth $2.25, at $1.42 pr To $12.50 grade, at . . $8.12 pr These prices are moving them rapidly, butpicking'sgood yet. Nine styles. One or two pairs -of a kind. Dinner Set Specials Haviland's Decorated China 100-piece sets .$22.00 set $72.00 Haviland Sets of 100 pieces . . - $48.50 set Austrian China Decorated Dinner Sets of 100 pieces, now $15.60 set "1847" Rogers Bros. Knives - and Forks $3.00 set HgEgJ9QSKB9HRHg&gSjB H Arbuckles' Coffee I G$gr"'et& t ill f Ell tBMrllfTa Sam ffi i mmmW Thousands or pounds of Arbucklss' famous Arlosa Coffee being sold at. nc Pound cfe?- &tefcb. 11 FIVE NEW SUBSTATIONS POSTJIASTER REQ.UESTS THEIR CREATION IN PORTLAND. will report to "Washington, and If favor able, permission will' probably be granted in a short time. THOUGHT HE SAW A PREACHER MATINEE TODAY, NcIII Company "Will Present "Bar bara Frletchle" at the -Mnrqnani. The Nelll Company will give their sump tuous production of "Barbara Frletchle" at a special matinee at the Marquam tnls afternoon at 2:15. At the evening per formance, which will conclude the en gagement here, the curtain will rise at X o'clock promptly, as the company will leave the city -after the performance, and Mr. Nelll Is unwilling to cut the play In the slightest particular. To prevent the spoiling of the beautiful opening of the first act by confusion In the house, it has Expcnue Will Be Small, and They. Are Necilvd to Handle Local ainil and Business. postmaster A. B. Croasman has asked the Postmaster-General to authorize the creation of five more substations in differ ent sections of the city, and IT. H. Flint, of San Francisco, who Is In charge of this division of the Posioffice Department on the Pacific Coast, recently spent several days here looking over the situation. The success which the substations already es tablished have attained, and the small expense of their maintenance has been gratifying to Postmaster Croasman, and he wants to extend similar conveniences where the greatest benefit will accrue. The substations will not handle mall of any description except outgoing. The principal accommodations furnished will be In issuing money orders, registering letters and the sale of postage stamps. The cost of maintenance will average 5100 a . month for each substation, which Is paid to the appointee to take charge of the ofllce. Usually the stations have been established In small stores or offices, and no rent has been paid for the space oc cupied. As a result the five stations asked for can be operated at an aggregate expense less than the salary of an ad ditional clerk. The volume of business transacted In the registry, money order and stamp divisions of the local postoflicc is Increasing at an astonishing rate, and It will not only be u convenience to the citizens to establish the substations, but will lighten the labors of the clerks employed In the main post- J. McGrnth Strikes Policeman for 10 Cents LaudH on Roclc Pile. Polco Sergeant Church was taking a walk around AVhltechapcl yesterday morn ing, when he was hailed by J. McGrath, who asked: "Say, have you got 10 cents handy? I haven't had a drink today." "Well," said the sergeant, with delibera tion," I haven't 10 cents for you, but I've got a rock pile. Come along." "Great Scott. What have I struck?" remarked McGrath. In astonishment. "I thought you were a Methodist minister." McGrath was taken before Municipal Judge Cameron, when he was greatly surprised to learn that Church was a ser geant of police. "Let me go. Judge," pleaded McGrath. 1 "I was working on the Vancouver Rail- road, and when I struck town I had 26, but I had to buy socks and a necktie, and the money soon went. If you let me go now, I will leave Portland In half an hour." "You seem to have bought rather ex pensive neckwear," commented the Judge, "Your hands are shaking now. and I don't think It would be wise to allow you to go Just yet. You might go on another j drlnkink bout. Try five days In jail." FUNERAL OF DR. H. K. HINES "Willamette" and "Etdredge B" Sewing Machines at Clearance Sale Prices (2d floor.; Immense variety of new Valentines, ranging in price from lc to $5.00. Very low prices prevailing on Crockery and Kitchen Goods (Basement.) The Clearance Sale This store was never more inviting in mer chandise, assortment and profit-sharing than' it is this third week of the great Annual Clearance Sale From a dull, uninteresting period we have changed the first month of the year into one which every housewife looks forward to with the keenest pleasure Every article in this mammoth estab lishment may be purchased at a considerable sav ing from regular prices The duty of the Clearance Sale is to reduce stock to the lowest possible point, hence the great sacrificing on all lines of wearing apparel and household necessities. Services Will Be Held at Taylor Street Church. Today. The funeral services of Dr. H. K. Hlnes will be held today at 1:30 P. M at Taylor-Street M. E. Church. The services will be under the direction of Dr. Tal bott, the pastor. The casket will not be opened at the church, but will be open from 10 to 12 A. M. at Flnley's undertaking parlors. mwMmmmt&Ei3& ilK?HaR&Bx!9i&4L.T: 'jRafflifiT'Tn rBsKMsslss ' 1 I J been decided to seat no one from the rUe of the curtain till the end of the act. At the Baker Theater "East Lynne," the drama which has been playing to big business all the week, will be the matinee attraction. The play is one which every one wants to see, and there will undoubt edly be a large house. Magrlc. The way Salvacea Vifm pdlc, office. The exact locations for the new stations have not been determined yet, and will not be seriously considered until word Is had from Washington Indicating the pleasure of the department In disposing of the request. Mr. Croasman Is anxious that stations be located so that they would be accessible to persons in South Port land, In the neighborhood of Thirteenth and Gllsan, and in the residence section locally knpwp a "Npb BHL" Mr, Flint where any friends desiring will be per mitted to view the remains. He will be burled in Lone Fir cemetery. The Hot Sprlnjr of Arkansas. Owned and controlled by U. S. Govern ment. The Nation's health and pleasure re sort. Splendid Winter climate. Golf. Ele fanthotcls Arlington, Eastman and Park, 'or Information address hotel managers, -or K M. Fletcher, P. C. P. A.. Mo. Pac By., 12 Caljfornja nU, San Francisco, Cal. Groceries Phone Private Exchange 4. Arbuckles' Coffee, nclb. Hickmott's Asparagus . .22c 1-lb. ground Chocolate . .25e Postum Cereal 22c Figprune, package 20c Gal. Loj Cabin Syrup . .$1.25 2 cans sliced Pineapple, ,15c 1-lb. can Shrimp 3 10c 9-lb3. Rolled Oats 30c 1- qt. C. & B. Vinegar 25e Boiled Cider S5e 1-lb. ean sliced Bacon . . .25c Pettyjohn's Breakfast Gams 10c McLaren's Cheese, 2 for . .25o Uneeda Biscuit, package . .5c Red M Soap, bar 2c Oystereites, package 5c (Basement.) Silks Dress Goods Liveliest kind of silk and dress goods selling going on here Clearance Sale Prices are down to a point where the economical can't resist buying Everything reduced You can't go wrong no mat ter what you buy. Cheney Bros.' 1902 Fou lards, 89e and $1.09 yard. Table Linens We're selling more fine Table Linens (John S. Brown & Sons) than ever be fore in our history Because shrewd housewives have learned to know that there's only one brand of Al servicea ble table linens, and that's the "Sham rock," made by John S. Brown & Sons Every new design Only the best qualities Clearance Sale prices are prevailing on all of John S. Brown & Sons' linens. Bedspreads at very low prices. Sheets and Pillow cases marked way down. Towels and Toweling at pleas ing pricas. Cloak Dept. Haven't a great variety of merchandise to show you in our cloak department Bui what there is you can buy at your own price almost Probably you are the lucky size Suits, Jaekets, Walking Suits, Waists, Petticoats, Eiderdown Sacques, Wrap pers, etc. Great values in Waist Flan nels Pretty styles. Great values in Percales, Ginghams, and other .wash fabrics. Boys' Clothing Everything in our seeond floor clothing store can be bought at a big saving It will surprise you how cheap ly you can satisfactorily out fit your boy here Suit3, Overcoats. Reefers, Pants, ! Waists, etc. Boys' flannel Blouse Waists, all sizes, $1.25 val ues, at Boys' Knee Pants, all sizes, exceptional value, Tr Hen's and Boys' Furnishing Goods The entire stock at Clearance Sale Prices. 85c MEIER & FRANK CO. MEIER & FRANK CO. 'gSfnfBJvmmfmmmmmmiiaKtfammmaBmm Ljf WILL MEET FEBRUARY 8 REPUBLICAN STATE CENTRAL COM MITTEE CALLED TOGETHER. State "Will ' Be Reapportioned anil Date for State Convention Will Be Plied. 'The fact 1b not generally known to Multnomah County Republicans that a call has been-issued by "Chairman George A. Steel for a meeting of the State Cen tral Committee In his ofllce In the Cham ber of Commerce building at 10:SQ A. M. .February 8. The call was sent out to members of the committee January 18, and was signed by Mr. Steel as chairman, and had appended the name of "W. S. Dunlway as secretary. While there was probably no intentional secrecy Intended. Mr. Dunlway was not aware of the call having been sent out until notified of the fact yesterday afternoon by an Orego-1 nla.i reporter, nor had the Information reached local leaders of the party, except .the news columns of papers published outside of the city. Mr. Steel said yesterday that he had neglected to Inform Mr. Dunlway that the notice? had been sent out, and pre sumably by the same token he forgot to remember the local press. Mr. Steel said yesterday that one of the subjects that would be discussed at the sesslqn would be the reapportionment of the state, based on the vote cast for President Mc Klnley In 1900. The chairman was of oDlnlon that most country members of the committee wouU be In favor of a I new adjustment of representation, based j on the customary ratio of one delegate for each 150 votes cast at the last Presiden tial election. Of course, the outside mem J bcrs will not oe movea to oppose me usual reapportionment when they discover that thereby Multnomah will lose three delegates. Mr. Steel not only said that he expected the question of reapportionment would be before the committee, but that a mo tion providing for the same would be car ried by a large majority. As to the prob able date for holding the state convention. Mr. Steel said that some date about April 10 or 12 would be selected, which Is practically the same time as two years ago. , Following Is a list of the members of the State Central Committee: Cralrrean George A. Steel, Portland. Secretary Willis Dunlway. Portland. Assistant Secretary J. P. Kennedy, Portland. Baker O. M. Dodson, Baker City. Benton J. W. Crawford. CorvaUl Clackamas 3 eorge A. Steel, Portland. Clatsop C W. Fulton. Astoria. Columbia F. C. Watts, St. Helens. Coos John Morgan. Marsbneld. Crook J. N. "Williamson, Prinevllle. Curry P. Hughes (deceased). Port Orford. Douglas E. D. Stratford, Boseburg. Gilliam O. B. Dukek. Mayvllle. Grant C G. Guernsey. Canyon City. t Harney I. S. Geer. Burns. JackEon H. E. Ankeny. Jacksonville, Josephine C. E. Harmon. Grant's Pass. Klamath R. S Moore. Klamath Falls. Lake L. F. Conn. Lakevlew. Lincoln B. T. Swope, Toledo. Lane A. C Woodcock. Eugene. LMnn J. B. Whitney, Albany. Malheur C. H. Brown. Ontario. Marlon E. M. Crolsan. Salem, i - . f Multnomah.-?, y. .raxion. muana. - GREAT 5 ALE Every Article Reduced The very latest Black on White CHIFFON VEILING Heretofore 50c London Trefousse Suede Pique KID GLOVES Consuelo Overseam KID GLOVES Value $1.75;pair Value $1.75 pair All-Wool FJINCY FRENCH FLANNELS . Value 75c 39c $1.39 $1.39 48c BEST MUSLIN UNDERWEAR, at lowest prices. Reduced prices on LA VIDA and W. B. CORSETS. Arnold, Constable Guaranteed TAFFETA SILKS, at reduced prices. HOUSEHOLD and TABLE LINENS, at lowest prices. Morrow G. W. Phelps. Heppner. Polk M. D. Ellis. Dallas. Sherman W. H. Moore. Moro. Tillamook B. L. Eddy, Tillamook. Umatilla J. S. Gurdane. Pendleton. Union M. Baker. La Grande. Wallowa George W. Hyatt, Enterprise. Waseo H. L. Kuck. The Dalles. Washington G. W. Marsh, Centervllle. WheMer W. W. Stelwer. Fossil. Yamhill W. A. Howe, Carlton. j M. Michael, George T. Howard, "W. A. .tiunuey, a. tfoDertson. u. Adams. A res olution was passed, offering to pay the -Standard Oil Company dn increase of ono cent per gallon if the company will put In a ubtation. Merchantu' Protective Association. OREGON CITY. Jan. 21. The Retail Merchants Protective Association last night elected the following offlcera for the ensuing year: President, Frank T. Barlow; vice-president, D. C. Ely; sec retary, C Schubel; treasurer, Frank Busch; directors, Frank T. Barlow. D. C. Ely. Frank Busch, Charles Albright, A GOOD INVESTMENT. A B. B. Rich Cifcar ItsKnll Size ana First Selection. Purchasing power has enabled us to give you In all our cigars first selections and. full factory size only. Our chain of stores are located conveniently Sixth and "Wash ington, 103 Third, Fifth and Morrison, Portland Hotel and 66 North. Third street.