The Elusive Dr. Pillsbury Caught in Spokane
A notorious swindler wanted for crimes across Washington and Idaho faces a legal battle over his extradition.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
Dr. L. C. Pillsbury, who swindled several business men of this city last summer and is also wanted for burglary in Idaho, is held by Sheriff Pugh, of Spokane, for the latter crime pending the issue of habeas corpus proceedings. Pillsbury was arrested on February 10 at Spokane upon requisition papers signed by Gov. McGraw. A writ of habeas corpus was taken out, and leave was asked by the defense to introduce evidence to prove that Pillsbury was not a fugitive from justice. Dr. Pillsbury's reputation in this city is not of the best, and when Sheriff Woolery heard of his detention he wrote to Sheriff Pugh to hold him on an information charging him with obtaining money under false pretenses.
“Dr. Pillsbury's reputation in this city is not of the best.”
The 'medical specialist' swindler was a recurring stock character in late 19th-century newspapers, often selling fake cures while dodging local warrants. This case highlights the complexity of 1890s interstate criminal justice and the era's reliance on public notoriety to track down con artists.
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