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Show HOWK)00000JOKX000XK I .THE STORY OF A:. j hMAN-HUNTj XXKXKOOOCKCK0O0K By GU R DEN EDWARDS. Director. Public Relations Commission, American Amer-ican Bankers Association. " yT AN-HUNTINO for crlm-T crlm-T Inals, In mountains In-iJi In-iJi fsted with sure-shot yj, friends and relatives of ' Si-rM the tegitlves who hold vjf vfa human life lightly when It S JjT conies to defending their Vf'iKH' own, culls for a partleulur-ly partleulur-ly high degree of courage 4 and strategy. Here Is a first-hand story of such a hunt, as told In tin oflloltil and confidential report re-port accounting for his operations to bis superior olllcers by the leading detective de-tective In the affair, und It Is presented through the speclul permission of James E. Baum, head of the nationwide nation-wide detective service conducted by the American Bankers association to protect Its members ngnlnst bank criminals of all types. our guide, we ferried across the river and made a stop at O. X. S'.andson'fc home and requested-that he actompany ua to arrest Guy PropB. Standson't mother end wife cried and begged him lo stay at home, but Standson, heirs bloodthirsty and wanting to be able to bp 1 11 Guy Props or any of the Props family blood legally to even a score because one of them turned state's witness against him in a still case, decided de-cided to accompany us. We then, with Standson and Riper as guides, proceeded to cover the eight-mile eight-mile hike to the Props home. At one point In the trail, Stands-on called for a halt and togetner with him and Harkness we proceeded very cautiously cautious-ly to whire Guy Props hides out when not at home. At this place we found where Guy had his fire, the place where he spreads hlB blankets, etc. This was encouraging as it showed no evidence where Guy had slept out recently When within one-quarter mile of Props' home 1 then, after getting a description descrip-tion of position of house and its location loca-tion and buildings, borrowed a gun from Beul Knollton and armed Roper I then gave them all their Instructions and positions to play, placing R. Knoll- but were unable to find any given by Guy Props. I did, however, learn of a Jere Soars who had been heard to say-he say-he held one of Guy Props' checks. Deputy Ellon called for me with his i-ar and together we proceeded to the rural districts in search of more forgeries forg-eries due to activities of Guy Props. Also met Jere Soars who had a check given him on the state bank against account of C. Young, same which the bank returned to Soars on account of wrong signature. 1 asked Soars to gn before the grand Jury and have Indictment In-dictment made against Props. Being unable to find any more forged . hecks on Props, we returned to town where 1 called at the Jail with another package of cigarettes and presented same to Props. I had a very lengthy talK with Props who denies he ever krlled a negro in the coal mines In Wect Virginia but advised he had forged considerable checks .n a town In Kentucky Inst August, 1927 Prrpo then advised that he hated to squeal 1n anyone but believed the writer right in advising that "he can help himself if he helped the writer." He then advised that he met Chris Bach?l-ler Bach?l-ler while visiting In Flame Vallev and A bunk In the Cumberland mountains moun-tains had been swindled by a no'or Ions Guy Props by mentis of forged checks and the association assigned one of Its most noted man-hunters to go Into the mountains, get the crlm lnal and bring him to Justice. For obvious legal reasons names of places and persons are changed, but In all other respects what follows are In the words of the detective hlmseir as sot down each night during the progress of the hunt: J called on the state bank and mei the cashier who advised me of a deputy sheriff, Ned Harkness, who Is familial with the country around Ash county and had heard that Guy Props wo; running a moonshine still around Bald Cliff. 1 then met Deputy Harkness who ndvlsed of a R. Knollton who operated a general store and post office at Point where Props sometimes visit when he mails his letters. This R Knollton advised he was talking with Props less than two weeks ago and that Props lfl supposed to be running liquor there. I then saw Sheriff Jackson and we went over all details of possible ways to capture Guy Props. Jackson advised that where Props was rumored to be in the hills was In another county and that he could not cross the river tnd make arrests. Jackson advised of the reputation Props had, also his brothers with whom he sometimes lives, and then asked my plans. 1 advised Jackson that I would like to have Deputy Harkness and Deputy Elton accompany me and remain re-main with me until I caught Props or returned without him. I told him the Information I had was that Guy would only call at home for a supply of food, then go Into the hills and live, which would necessitate lying In wait for his return to the house. We then talked of transportation, which Sheriff Jackson Jack-son advised he was unable to furnish. There have been very heavy rains but with a car which was not slung low It was thought we could drive to Point and then walk the remaining distance. dis-tance. Deputy Elton was away but would return at noon, so I decided to wait so as to have him with us as I knew the caliber of person he was through working with him before; also learned that Harkness was much the same type of man. I met Elton and then with Harkness we laid our plans. Harkness advised that the Bald Cliff country was only penetrable over trails which are hard to follow If you are not familiar with them, as there are cross trails which would confuse one, and he did not know the route after crossing the county line, but at .-. , Point we could get a responsible guide w-ho also would be handy with a gunr this being one R. Knollton. We also decided on picking up Beal Knollton and his brother Luke while enroute and taking them along because we would need more men as there are twelve or more Props Including In-cluding the women who are dead shots with firearms. We then talked of equipment and decided on fifty round." of ammunition apiece, each to be equipped with a flashlight and pistol, tobacco for several days, also that the writer dress In the garb of the mountain moun-tain boys, such as blue denim, cap and yellow farm shoes. I then had Sheriff Jackson engage a car from the livery man and after dinner, din-ner, in company with Deputy Elton and Deputy Harkness, we departed, first circling the town, to throw off any suspicions as to where we were heading head-ing for. At we picked up Beal Knollton. We left after having refreshments re-freshments and made our next stop at Point where we put the machine up and took supper at R. Knollton's. R. Knollton was requested to come along with us as a guide, but he refused re-fused to do so unless 1 would keep him absolutely under cover, as he was afraid of the Props family, also suggested sug-gested they woul-d burn his store and buildings down if they thought he was in our party. R. Knollton was not so sure of the trails to the home of Props but could take us to Bald Cliff post office. 1 then asked as to anyone else who lived close who would be in position posi-tion to direct us to Props' home, also who could Identify Guy. as none of out party knew him. Gans Roper's name was suggested, so as It was on our route to the river, 1 called a stop at Roper's home where I talked with him He told of his fear of the Props crow.) and did not care to go. 1 then advised Roper, from information I learned from Eeal Knollton, that he could have his choice to act as guide to props' home where 1 would dismiss him and give him a chance to leave as Boon as 1 had captured Guy or that 1 would cause his arrest immediately on warrants he knew about In the county With Roper unarmed and acting ton and Roper to cover barn, Deputy Elton to cover the left rear and Stand-son Stand-son the right rear, both where thev could command the rear and side ot house at same time, Beal Knollton ti cover the front and Deputy Harkness and self to enter house by front door. We advanced on house together, eac h taking up position designated and Harkness and 1 to porch door where I knocked and called 'Andy.' Pell Props opened the door and Harkness and self Immediately had him covered, padded him down quickly and turned him over to Beal Knollton Harkness and self turned our lights on Inside of house and cuvered the Interior where we found seven men and an equal amount of women. As was arranged as soon as Beal Knollton saw us safely Inside, he signaled the rem lining guards and they entered house, and R Knollton and Roper would depart for their homes. Harkness and self kept all In house covered until the other boys entered en-tered and covered the crowd. As was prearranged, I had Standson remain outside for fear he would want to kill some one and h''le behind the law. There was none In our crowd could Identify Guy Props. I made inquiries for Frank James and was told he was not there. I then asked who all the men were and was told all seven were brothers. I asked how many boys in family and was told seven, so I knew Guy was in our presence. I tnen searched for a person with a scar on forehead and in this manner found Guy. 1 immediately had him handcuffed hand-cuffed to Deputy Harkness and made hasty search for pistols, finding two leaded shotguns and a rifle but no pistols. I then started Harkness, Beal Knollton Knoll-ton and Standson back to town and with Elton remained in the house with the Props, assembled all in one room, and told them that we arrested Guy In a fair manner and Intended to act fairly with him, but that I had ordered him to be kept covered over the entire en-tire course by two guns, also that 1 ordered if one single shot were heard from these hills, whether it be directed at us or elsewhere, that Guy should be dropped In his tracks. I asked If I had made myself thoroughly understood under-stood and if there was any doubt In any of their minds as to my meaning. All answered that Guy was our prisoner pris-oner and they would not interfere. Elton and self caught up with the party and covered the distance back to R. Knollton's home, where we remained re-mained until dawn, when we had Mrs. Knollton prepare brealffast for my party and prisoner. After breakfast and at break of day, we left enroute to town, where after encountering much trouble with machine, due to the terrible condition of the roads, and after breaking the running board and tearing a fender due to falling In a rut, we arrived at 2 p. m. and placed Guy Props safely in a cell in the jail j tljen advised the court that Props advised he would plead guilty and the judge on my request arraigned him immediately. The commonwealth attorney at-torney and self held conference In the Judge's chambers and agreed on a two-year two-year sentence on each of the indictments, indict-ments, which at this time totaled five Commonwealth attorney advised the Judge that the bank and the state would oe satisfied with nothing less than a ten-year sentence. Props then was called before tin-Judge tin-Judge who advised him that in accepting accept-ing his plea of guilty he would give him the minimum of ten years. Props, who figured on getting less than one year, would not make a plea until he saw his father whom he sent for. The judge deferred the case four days ami requested I try to secure more evidence in the form of checks. Also to be presented at trial as the commonwealth may want me for witness. Props asked if he turned state's evidence if he would receive a lighter sentence and on be ing advised in the negative, he did not mention what he Intended to turn state's evidence on. 1 then purchased some cigarettes and gave Guy Props a package and tried to learn what he hod in his mind In regard to slate's evidence, thinking it was perhaps implicating one Chiit Bacheller. Politics play a very larjjf part here in this locality. Deputy Elton El-ton advised that Props had a ff friends here in the farm part of count) and it would be wise to get as rnuc li on him as possible. Also the Judge Knows Props' father and thinks wen of him and terms him a very honest man, although I know that the entire family is on the other side of the law and that Guy's brother Pell was ai rested for forgery a while back and (he father fixed it O K with the ludg. ind PpII got out of it. I then had Sheriff Jackson detail El ton to assist me. Elton and I then car ied on an extensive search of locnl merc hants forlhose holding bad rhecki- It was there the suggestion was made by Bacheller that they commit forgeries, forg-eries, Bacheller to split 60-50. Bach-eller's Bach-eller's duty was to go to the bank and get blank checks and to scout around for merchants who would, he thought, cash same. Then Props was to write checks and get the cash. Props was unable to advise where Chris Bacheller was at present but suggested sug-gested the name of a man who would be the person who knows, as he communicates com-municates with Bacheller. I called on the commonwealth attorney at-torney and advised as to this person Chris Bacheller. The attorney advised ad-vised he would see Bacheller ride for long time If I would Indict him and be able to find him. I then appeared personally before the county grand Jury as witness and requested they hear Guy Props and return an Indictment Indict-ment against Bacheller. I drew a mental men-tal picture of Props to them and was assured that an Indictment would be returned. They requested I produce Props as another witness against Bacheller. Bach-eller. I then called at the Jail and had the Jailer bring Props to the grand Jury room and after a while returned Props to his cell where I remained and talked with him. Props feels, although receiving receiv-ing no promises, that he will get a light sentence, due to his turning state's witness. Props also advised of the political Influence his father carries as does his brother and had hoped they could do some good with the judge. Props next advised of the reform movement he had taken, advising ad-vising he had secured the Bible and was going to put in his time studying to be a Methodist clergyman. I then called on the Circuit court clerk and requested him to issue a subpoena for a certain witness so as I could find if passible location of Chris Bacheller. This was done. I next called on the commonwealth attorney and advised ad-vised h-m of the supposed Influence of Props' people, and was advised that Props Is In tht wrong county to bring any pressure. At 9:30 p. m. the fire alarm sounded and we learned the jail was on fire Elton and self rushed for jail and in event they released prisoners, we would be there to take Guy Props. The fire which was started in a cell by a drunk was confined In the one section of the building and although prisoners were turned out of cells, they were kept In the Jail proper. After the fire Props was safely lodged in his cell Next day I met the Judge and was advised that Guy Props' father and brothers were in town and had called on the Judge. The judge advised M-Props M-Props that the only one who could ' help him would be the writer and suggested sug-gested that he see me. 1 called at the state bank and from the cashier learned that Mr. Props had called there and offered a compromise of paying the loss of the bank through forged checks if the bank would influence the writer to accept a two-year sentence which could be arranged for with the court. The cashier asked my opinion and I advised 1 thought it best to make an example of the subject, calling attention atten-tion to the fact that not only is the state bank being protected by placing Gup Props in "Jail for ten years but all banks. The cashier then made me acquainted with the president of the bank, who was not so familiar with the case and thought It would be satisfactory to accept ac-cept the bank's loss and have Props sentenced to two years. I then called his attention to the fact that Props had committed forgeries on another bank, also called his attention to the character charac-ter of Guy Props and told him it was only an act of Providence that Props was taken without any of my party being shot. 1 then called at the courthouse and here met Mr. Props who offered me s compromise as mentioned above. I advised ad-vised Mr. Props that when Guy was arraigned last week that I had onlv Ive indictments returned against him. nut since then I have had two mor-?, making a total of seven, that sentence on each was two to ten years, that 1 was going to insist on Guy being tried on each indictment and advised him, if Gus were tried, the best he could hope for would be the minimum of fourteen years. Props then tried to get to the commonwealth attorney, also he Judge, and on each occasion was referred back to me. Mr Props then suggested we don't try Guy but that he accept the ten veai st-ntence This message was conveyed con-veyed to me by the commonwealth attorney ind met with my approval. The jury was called and instructed by the judge that by mutual agree-nen: agree-nen: with all concerned that Guy Props would be sentenced to ten years. The foreman of the lury, female, signed the papers finding Guy Props guilty ,i nj sentenced ten vears In the stal-r pen i t on t in ry. |