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Show 0KK000KKKXKXKMKKKKKKKK00(KW O . THE STORY OF A I 1 MAN-HUNT 1 XXXCK 0KO0-0-CK0K OOOOOO (CKX By GUR DEN EDWARDS, Director. Public Relations Commission, American Amer-ican Bankers Association. E tan-hunting for crim-nas- iD mountains In-"fl In-"fl fested with sure shot JSL fl friends and relatives of rl the fu'tives who hort Tjitej humaD life lightly when It jfevyfiy comes to defending their own, calls for a pnrtlculur- y1 ly high degree of courage 4 and strategy. Here Is a first-hand story of such a hunt, as told In an official and conhdentihl report re-port accounting for his operations to his superior officers by the leading detective de-tective In the affair, and it is presented through the special permission of James E. Bauin, head of the nationwide nation-wide detective service conducted by the American Bankers association to protect m Its members against bank criminals of all types. A bank In the Cumberland mountains moun-tains had been swindled b a notor Ioub Guy Props by means of forged checks and the association assigned one of its most noted man-hunters to go into the mountains, get the crim Inal and bring him to justice. For obvious legal reasons names of places and persons are changed, but In ail other respects what follows are in the words of the detective himself BS set down each night during the progress of the hunt: I called on the state bank and me' the cashier who advised me of a depuly sheriff, Ned Harkness, who is familial with the country around Ash county and had heard that Guv Props wn running a moonshine still around Balrt Cliff. I then met Deputy Harkness who advised of a R. Knollton who operated a general store and post office at Point where Props sometimes visits when he mails his letters This R Knollton advised he was talking wi'h Props less than two weeks aero ard that Props Is 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 tc In the hills was in another county and that he could not cross the ri ve-and ve-and make arrests. Jackson advised of the reputation Props had, also his brothers with whom he sometimes lives, and then asked my plans. I advised Jackson that 1 would like to have Deputy Harkness and Deputy Elton accompany me and remain re-main with me until 1 caught Props or returned without him. I told him th information I had was that Guy would only call at home for a supply of food, then go into the hiMs and live, whirh would necessitate lying in wa it 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, eo 1 decided to wait so as to have htm with us as I knew the caliber of person he was through working with him before; als. learned that Harkness was murh the tame type of man. I met Elton and then with Harkness re laid our plans. Harkness advised that the Bald Cliff country was only penetrahle over trails which are hard to follow if you are not familiar with them, as there aro cross trails whirh would confuse one, and he did not know the route after crossing the rounty line, but at Point we could get a responsible guide who also would be handy with a gun, this being one Ft Knollton. We also decided on pirking lip Eeal 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 cJ equipment and derided on fifty round? of ammunition apiece, each to bp 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 'arm Bhoes. I then had Sheriff Jackson engage a car from the livery man and after dinner, din-ner, in "ompany 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 Meal Knollton. We left after having refreshments re-freshments and made our next strip at Point where we put the machine op and took supper at R. Knollion's. R. K noli ton was req uested to come along with us as a guide, but he refused re-fused to do so unless I would ket-p him absolutely under cover, as he was afraid of the Props family, also suggested sug-gested they woukl burn his store and buildings down if they thought he was In our party. R. Knollton was not ho pure of the trails to the home of Prop but could take us to Bald CI iff post office. I then asked as to anyone flu who lived close who would be In position posi-tion to direct us to Props' home, also who could identify Ouy, as none of our party knew him. Cans Roper'p name was suggested, so an It was on our route to 'he river. I calk-d a stop at Roper's home where 1 talked with him He told of his fear of the Propp crowd and did not care to go. I then advised Roper, from information I learned from Deal Knollton, that he could have his choice to act as guide to Props' home where 1 would dismiss h'im and give him a chanoe to leave as noon af I had captured Guy or that 1 wou Id rn us his arrest Irnrned ia t'-ly on warrunls h knew about In the county With Roper unarmed and acthiR our guide, we ferried across the river and made a stop at O. X. S'andson's home and requested that he oceompanv us to arrest Guy Props. Standson'e morher and wife cried and begged him lo slay at home, but Standson, beins bloodthirsty and wanting to be al'le to spill 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 Roper as guides, proceeded to cover the eigh'-mile eigh'-mile hike to the Props home. At one point in the trail. Standson called for a halt and togetner with him a'id Harkness we proceeded very cautiously cautious-ly to where Guy Props hides out when not at home. At this place we found where Guy had his fire, the place where he spreads his blankets, etc. This was encouraging as it showed no evidence where Guy had slept out recently When within one-quarter -mile of Props' home I then, after getting a description descrip-tion of position of house and its location loca-tion and buildings, borrowed a gun from Beal Knollton and armed Roper 1 then gave them all their instruelions and positions to play, placing R. Knollton Knoll-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 ol house at same time., Beal Knollton tr cover the front and Deputy Harkness and self to enter house by front door. We advanced on house together, ep-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 ovei to Beil Knollton Harkness and self turned our lights on Inside of house and covered 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 rerr lining guards and they entered house, and R Knollton md 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 tr-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. 1 then asked who all the men were and was told all seven were i" rot her3. 1 asked how many boys in family and was told seven, so I knew' Guy was in our presence. I men searched for a person with a scar on forehead and in this manner found Guy. I immed;at"ly had him handcuffed hand-cuffed to Deputy Harkness and made hasty search for pistols, finding twe -cae'.ee) shotguns and a n fie but no pistols I then started Harkness, Beal Knollton Knoll-ton and Standson hack to town and with Rtton remained in the house with the Props, assembled all in one room, and told them that we arrested Guy n a fair manner and intended to act fairly with him, but that I had ordered rr.m to be kept covered over the entire en-tire course by two guns, also that 1 ordered !f one sincle shot were heard from these hills, whether It he directed at us or elsewhere, that Guy should be dropped in his tracks. I asked if ! had made myself thoroughly understood under-stood and if there was any doubt In anv 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. knoilton'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 encounterlnn much trouble with machine, due to th 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 I then advised the court that Prop" advised he would plead guilty and the Judge on my request arraigned him immediately. The commonwealth attorney at-torney and self held conference In th-Judge'a th-Judge'a 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 stale would oe satisfied with nothing less than a ten-year sentence. Trops then was called before the-Judge the-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. Th.-judge Th.-judge deferred the case four days aim requested 1 try to secure more evidence In the form of checks. Also to r.f presented at trinl as the commonwealth may want me for witness Props asked if he turned state's evidence If he would receive a l.ghter sentence anil on be ing adviHed In the negative, he did n"1 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 had In his mind In regard to state's evidence, t hlnk ing It was perhaps implicating one Chcii. Baehcllcr. Politics play a very l.-inrc part here In this locality Deputv Elton El-ton advised that Props had a tVv-friends tVv-friends here In the fiirrn part or count and It would be wise to get us muih on him as possible Also the (uilge knows Props' father nnd thinks well of him and terms him n very honent man. although I know that the entire-family entire-family Is on the either side of the law and that Gu.v'B brother Pell was Hi rested for forgery a while back and he father fixed It O K with the IucIk .met I got out of It. 1 then had .She-rlfT Jackson detail El tun to assist me. Ellon and I then car cleil on an extensive search of lociil merchants for those holding bud checks- but were unable to find any given by Guy Props. I did, however, learn of a Jere Soars who had been heard to sax he held one of Guy Props' checks. Deputy Elton called for me with his car and together we proceeded to th 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. I asked Soars to go before the grand Jury and have Indictment In-dictment made against Props. Being unable to find any more forgel ihecke on Props, we returned to town where I called at the lail with another package of cigarettes and presented same to Props. I had a very lengthy talk with Props who denies he ever killed a negro In the coal mines in West Virginia but advised he had forged considerable checks .n a town in Kentucky last August, 1927 Pri prj then advised that he hated to squeal on 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 Bachel-ler Bachel-ler while visiting In Flame Valley and it was there the suggestion was made by Bacheller that they commit forgeries, forg-eries, Bacheller to split 50-50. 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 peisonally before the county grand Jury as witness and requested they hear Guy Props and return an Indictment Indict-ment against Bacheller. 1 drew a menial men-ial 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 could find If possible location of Chris Bacheller. This was done. 1 next called on the commonwealth attorney and advised ad-vised hm of the supposed Influence of Props' people, and was advised that Props Is In th wrong countv to bring any pressure. At 9:30 p. m. the fire alarm sounded and we learntd the Jail was on fire tlton and self rushed for jail and in event they released prisoners, we would ne 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 1 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. I called at the state bank and from the cashier learnei that Mr. Props had called there and -.ffered 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 whlcn could be arranged for with the court The cashier asked my opinion and I advised T thought It best to make an example of the subject, calling attention atten-tion to the fact that not only Is tbo stale bank being protected by plnclng Gup Props In Jail for ten yenrs but all banks. The cashier then mnde 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 hank, also called his attention to the character charac-ter of Guy Props and told him It was only an net of Providence that Props was taken without any of my party being i-hot. I then called at the courthouse and hue met Mr. Props who offered me compromise as mentioned above 1 advised ad-vised Mr Props that when Guy was .irraigncel last week that 1 had onlv Ove Indictments returned against hlrn. nut since then 1 have had two mnr-, making a total of seven, that sentence on each was two to ten years, that 1 was going to Insist on Guy being tried i,n each Indictment and advised him. If Gun were tried, the beat he could hope for would be the minimum of finirle'en years. Props then tried to get to the commonwealth attorney. al-o the Juelge. and on each occasion wa refer r eel back lo mo. Mr Props then suggested we don't try Guy hut that he accept the ten vear sentence This messnge was con-veyeel con-veyeel to me by the commonwealth alien ne-y and met with my npproval I'he Jury wus called and Instructed by the Judge that by muti.nl agreement agree-ment with all concerned that Guy Props would be sentenced to len years. The foreman of the lury, female, signed i he papers finding Guy Props guilty jnd sentenced ten years In the tnt nenitenl iary. " " I |