“POLICE HOLD RICH MAN'S SPOUSE,” Winnipeg Tribune. December 27, 1911. Page 1. --- Wife of Texas Millionaire and Fort Worth Clubman Spent Last Night in Winnipeg's Humble Lock-up - No Charge Laid ---- Within the humble avails of the Rupert street police station, where Inebriates, robbers and bad men of every description repose, there are today two representatives of United Slates society. The man is Albert G. Boyce, wealthy clubman of Forth Worth, Texas. The woman is Mrs. J. B. (Lena) Sneed, wife of a millionaire Texas contractor.
The couple were arrested last night in the Royal Alexandra hotel upon information received by. the local police, from the Burns Detective agency of Chicago. Detailed information of their crime is lacking though the report circulated last night was to the effect that Boyce had enticed Mrs. Sneed away from her husband. In the Police Court In the police court this morning, no charge was preferred against either party. Crown Prosecutor Craig merely asked for a remand until tomorrow. This was strenuously opposed by T. J. Murray who appeared for the prisoners, but Magistrate Macdonald granted the request. Unless definite steps are taken against the prisoners by tomorrow application will be made for a writ or habeas corpus to secure their liberation. Bail has been declined both Boyce and Mrs. Sneed.
It is reported today that should the police not advance any charge, the immigration department will investigate with a view lo having the couple deported.
T. J. Murray, who appeared this morning for for the defendants, objected to their being held with no charge laid against them. He could find no charge which would warrant their extradition, but if they were to be detained, he wished to make application for bail. The man, he said, was very well off and could easily furnish sufficient money to cover the bail for himself and the woman. Crown Prosecutor Craig argued that It was not customary to allow bail when the charge was preferred by foreign authorities. He admitted that it was unfair to hold them for an indefinite period, but at the same time he believed there was some very good reason for their detention, or there would not have been a reward of $500 offered.
No Definite Charge Mr. Murray again interposed and said that the reward had only been offered by the husband who had engaged two detective agencies to watch his wife. There was at present nothing to show that the charge was extraditable nor bailable. As a matter of fact his clients had lived very openly since they had been in Winnipeg for the first month.
Mr. Craiig retorted that as far as living openly was concerned, he had it on good authority that the immigration officials were interesting themselves in the case and were arraigned to have the coupled deported.
He, therefore, wished them to be detained for a reasonable time until the required information should be received from Fort Worth. Mr. Murray said he would make application for habeas corpus.
It is understood that the counsel for the defense is also requesting the immigration department to take no actions in the matter until further information is forthcoming.
Cauqht in Hotel. Albert G. Boyce and Mrs. T. B. (Lena) Sneed were arrested at the Royal Alexandra hotel last evening on the nominal charge of being unlawfully in Canada. Mrs. Sneed is the wife of the millionaire Texas canal contractor. and eloped, so it is alleged, with Boyce from Fort Worth, Texas, about a month ago. Boyce is also wealthy, and is said to have drawn $100,000 cash from the bank before the alleged elopement.
A charge of abduction has been laid against Boyce in the United States, it being claimed that Mrs. Sneed is mentally unsound. The woman admitted her identity after being arrested last night. She said that she fell in love with Boyce at first sight. She is 31 yours old, and left two children at Fort Worth. Boyce refused to make any statement.
The Winnipeg police department will come in for a reward of $500 for making the arrest.