The Telegraph Operator Who Recognized the Face on the Wanted Circular

One of the three men who broke out of the county jail a week ago last night was caught yesterday afternoon, thus leaving only bunko man Frank J. Hart and counterfeiter C. H. Brown at liberty. It was Charley Williams, the alleged burglar, who fell into the hands of the officers, and had it not been for the descriptions together with the pictures that Chief of Police Rogers sent out, he would probably have gotten away.

As it was, he reached Leavenworth, some hours from Seattle, and was making his way by train when captured. One of the circulars that Chief Rogers sent out fell into the hands of Harry Stewart, the Northern Pacific railway telegraph operator at a small place a few miles from this city. He kept a sharp lookout for men answering the descriptions and, being materially assisted by the pictures attached to the circulars, had no trouble in picking out his man yesterday morning, when he took freight train No. 16.

Stewart showed the picture to Williams, who appeared very nervous, but would not give himself away, and immediately boarded the car and left on the train. The telegrapher reported to Seattle as follows: "Williams, an escaped prisoner, boarded train No. 16 at 8:35 o'clock this morning. Train due at Leavenworth at 2:30 o'clock this afternoon. Identify positive, as I had his picture and showed it to him. He appeared very nervous. Had two grips of blankets and was bumming crumbs."

The operator at the local office sent the news to the county jail, and Chief Deputy Crabtree immediately telegraphed the officers at Leavenworth to capture Williams when the train came in. These were promptly carried out, for before 4 o'clock a dispatch was received from Jordan Webb saying that Williams was locked up and awaiting instructions from Sheriff Van de Vantér. Deputy Sheriff Tom McCory left last night to bring the prisoner back to his old boarding place.

Williams is an ordinary criminal, and in police circles is recognized as a chronic petty larcenist. He has a record in Oregon, and, according to the best information at hand, has an unserved term in that state.

He was arrested in this city in October by Officer Dexter for stealing an article of small value and sentenced to three months in the county jail. On getting out he attempted to burglarize a store on South Third Street, near Washington, and was caught in the act by Officer Williams. The preliminary examination came before Justice Court Rinehart, and although Williams claimed he was drunk and simply mistook the door, he was bound over to the superior court for trial.

Meanwhile Hart and Brown are believed to be near Mount Vernon. A late dispatch said two men were under arrest there, one answering the general description of C. H. Brown, who is about 5 feet 7 inches tall, weighs about 140 pounds, and is about 36 years old.