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.