The Sylvester Family of Plainview, Minnesota*

Carelessness led to Edwin Sylvester's arrest; came back to Biloxi

January 30, 1926 - February 1, 1926

PAGE 182

Mrs. E. L Sylvester, was not so certain at noon that he would agree to a postponement. He declared, however, that if the request was made on reasonable grounds, and if the reason put forward were sufficient, he would agree to it.
Herbert M. Bierce, bankruptcy referee, could not say definitely at noon what might happen to the hearing when it opened at 1:30. "Of course I do not know," he said, "but there are indications that a postponement will be sought, and perhaps it will be granted."

Mrs. Sylvester Silent
At Winona today Mrs. Sylvester remained in seclusion, refusing to see reporters and refusing to give out any statement.
If it is true that E. L. Sylvester wants to be present at the bankruptcy hearing, which has already been postponed several times, there is every assurance that when it is ultimately held, there will be many startling disclosures.
The revelations made by Senator Carley several months ago, when made public a statement showing where much of the bank’s money had gone aroused considerable excitement.
Doubt, however, was expressed in some quarters today, that Sylvester would ever take the stand in the bankruptcy case.
February 1, 1926– Winona Republican-Herald
Carelessness of Sylvester Led to Arrest
Return to Biloxi After Warning That Officers Were Training Him, He Says
Jumped From Place to Place Getting Letters
Mind is Hazy of Wanderings
Gulfport, Miss., Feb. 1 – Carelessness in his method of concealing his whereabouts led to Edwin L. Sylvester’s arrest here last Friday evening. If he had followed the method that had given him his liberty for ten months since the time of warrant for his arrest was sworn out by the Minnesota banking department he would still be a fugitive from justice.
However, Sylvester made his fatal mistake by becoming careless in his plan. He had come back to Biloxi after being warned that the officers were on his track again and after he had once moved on.
Sylvester revealed this today to Sheriff Frank Duckworth of Harrison county, the man who arrested him while he was shoveling coal in the engine room of the Avon Hotel Friday night.
Mind Hazy on Wanderings
"Since I have been away," Sylvester said, "I have received letters from relatives in Minneapolis, St. Paul and Plainview, but I moved as soon as I got a letter. My family did not know where I was. I was in Biloxi two months ago but I left when I learned that officers were on my track again. I have lived for months watching the faces of others. I came back here two weeks ago and went to work at the hotel. That was where I made my mistake. However I am glad it is all over."
Sylvester would not discuss where he had been since he boarded the Pioneer Limited at Winona, Minn. on the evening of Feb. 28, a year ago.
"I can hardly tell where I’ve been al these months that the Wabasha county authorities have been searching for me," he said, "I went first to Chicago but learned that the officers were on my track. I do not remember where I went, I was so weak and ill when I left Plainview. My only thought was to get away and forget it all. I had been in hell for months, knowing the shortage was there and was bound to be discovered."
Sylvester’s plan which was successful for months in throwing Burns detectives off his trail, was one followed by many criminals. As soon as he came into

Previous: Page 181.
Next: Page 183.
Initial: Table of Contents

* SOURCE: Manzow, Ron (compiler), "The Sylvester Family of Plainview, Minnesota - a collection of information taken from the Plainview News, other newspapers, letters, and diaries beginning in 1884": Plainview Area History Center, 40 4th St. S.W., Plainview, MN 55964. Compiled in 2001.

NOTE: from Ron Manzow, December 2001: "Feel free to reproduce the pages for anyone who wants a copy. It was compiled to be shared... All I ask is that they consider sending a check to the [Plainview Area] History Center to help us out. That should be enough."