The Confession That Stunned the Bench: A Stevedore’s Shameful Theft

Tacoma, June 7. Judge Lawrence sat in his court this morning, waiting with all his magisterial dignity for the calling of the case of the Territory against Fred Wells, charged with stealing from John Riker, $165.

Fred came in after awhile and the case opened in due form. "What have you to say in this matter?" asked the Judge, as is his custom.

"Nothing, except that I am guilty," said Fred.

The Judge wheeled round in his chair with a suddenness that almost caused him to fall, so great was his surprise. "What!" he exclaimed.

"I plead guilty," said Fred.

It seems that Fred had been sleeping with Riker in the barn of the Puget Sound Transfer company and that he thought that Riker had money which he kept in his inside vest pocket. He also saw that Riker hung his coat and vest very artlessly on a beam above him. When he was asleep Wells went quietly absconded the money from the pocket and went forth to enjoy it.

He played the part of a prodigal rather than a frugal person, loaning money to friends and spending more recklessly. As he had never figured as a man of material interest suspicion fell on him and he was arrested. A negro who also worked at the stables, and who had borrowed one of the money and spent accordingly, was also accused and he went with the officers and succeeded in finding several sums of the money against the stable, that backing the charges against him.

But Fred, after at first denying any knowledge of the money, afterwards sent for his attorney Counsel and confessed what he had done, and repeated it in court this morning, greatly to the surprise of the judge, who, when he recovered, held him under $500 bonds for court.