Murphy, Fugitive From

Justice Admitted To

Bail In Mo.

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FAILS TO RESPOND WHEN CASE IS CALLED

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Hearing Continued Until Friday Of This Week.

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Sheriff William J. Julius returned Saturday morning from Kansas City, Mo., without Charles Murphy who was indicted by the grand jury of Brown County for pickpocketing and who is now a fugitive from justice, having failed to appear at the December term of the district court when his case was called for trial. After his arrest he had furnished a bail bond for the sum of $2,000 and was given his liberty. This was declared forfeited and a bench warrant was issued for his arrest.

Wire Received Feb. 3rd.

Sheriff Julius immediately sent out circular letters to all the police authorities in the United States and on February 3 a message was received from I. B. Walston, Chief of Detectives of Kansas City that Murphy was in custody, that he refused to sign a waiver and that the sheriff should secure extradition papers. Sheriff Julius immediately made preparations to leave for St. Paul to get the extradition papers when County Attorney Streissguth received a wire from the Chief of Detectives that Murphy had been arraigned in the fugitive warrant charge and that his hearing had been set for February 17 and the officer should be there at that time.

Murphy Admitted to Bail.

On the strength of this telegram the Sheriff did not leave until February 13, arriving at Kansas City the next day. He was accompanied by Co. Com. Herman Polkow. He immediately called on the Chief of Detectives and was informed that Murphy was out on $3,000 bail. The next day,(Sunday) the Sheriff armed with a letter from Attorney General Hilton to the Attorney General of the state of Missouri proceeded to Jefferson City to see the Governor of Missouri. The attorney general informed him that his office could not function and that he should see D. W. Peters, a member of the Legislature who might be of assistance to him. The Sheriff next called at the Governor’s office and was told by his secretary that a hearing had been demanded by Mrs. Murphy and that no date had yet been set for the hearing. When the Secretary was informed that Murphy was to appear before a justice of the peace in Kansas City on the 17th of February,the Sheriff was told that the justice had no legal authority to fix any date and that he (the Secretary) would set February 18 for the hearing on the extradition papers. Monday the Sheriff returned to Kansas City to be on hand at the hearing set for the 17th. When the case was called the bondsmen of Murphy appeared in Court and asked for an extension of time to produce Murphy and the hearing was continued until the 20th.

Extradition Granted.

Then Sheriff Julius wired to County Attorney Streissguth, asking for further instructions, Streissguth immediately left for Kansas City, arriving there Tuesday afternoon and on Wednesday they went to Jefferson City to be present at the hearing before the Governor. No one appeared to oppose the granting of the extradition papers and they were granted.

Hearing Continued by Justice.

When the case was again called in justice court February 20 the bondsmen appeared thru an attorney and stated to the court that Murphy’s wife had died and that another continuance was necessary which was granted to February 27, County Attorney Streissguth and Co. Com. Polkow had left for home Thursday afternoon and when another week’s continuance was granted the Sheriff concluded to come home also and not wait for the hearing.

Murphy Old Offender.

From all the Sheriff can learn, Murphy is an old offender, has been arrested at least twelve or fifteen times and that he has served time again and again. What will develop at the hearing Friday is problematical. It is very doubtful if Murphy will show up. If he should show up, contrary to all expectations, then the Sheriff will once more proceed to Kansas City and bring Murphy back to New Ulm to stand trial here on the indictment returned against him.

New Ulm Review,

February 25, 1925

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