American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1877-12-29
An Accomplished Ruffian.

An Accomplished Ruffian.
The Fairfield Qowa) Ledger gives the
following sketch of Rand, alias Charles
c. Scott, the notorious Gibson and St.
Elmo assassin:
In the summer of 1859 Melchi Scott,
father of the accused, came to this city
from Classville, Washington County,
Pennsylvania, bringing with him a
family of eight or ten children, six of
whom were boys, and has since made
Fairfield his home. He is member of
the M. E. Church, and, during his II
years residence in Fairfield, no one can
say aught against him. While he feels
keenly the disgrace wrought by the evil
conduct of his son, it can safely be said
that the parents are free from blame,
and should be made to feel that the SYM
pathies of the community are with them
in this, the hour of their trouble. They
have heretofore borne their troubles in
sorrow and silence, acting only as par
ents could toward an erring child, and
now, in their advanced age, it is diff
cult TO tell the result of this last fearful
blow
Charley is now about 35 years of age,
| having come to this city after his father
did, in 1860, when he was about % years
of age. He is of medium height, rather
square in build, of very fair complexion
his eyes of sparkling black, He re-
manned here some time, but afterwards
went to Minnesota. During his stay
there he was married in Howard Coun-
! ty. Remaining in Minnesota for some
years, he finally returned to Fairfield,
He did not stay long, however, and just
here there is blank in his life of which
our reporter could learn nothing.
He was next heard of at Abba, this
State, where he robbed a store
some time early in 1872. A bill was
found against him by the Grand Jury,
and he was admitted to bail in the sum
of 81 ,000-his father being his bonds
man. While out on bail trunk was
stolen from the depot at Ottumwa, and
was found in his possession, so he was
again arrested and lodged. in jail in that
city. On the 9th of April of that year
he succeeded in making his escape from
the Ottumwa jail by saving the steel
bars of the cell. Thence he started to
Fairfield, intending to remain here un-
til the affair had quieted down. Satur-
dav night he had become quite tired
and fatigued from his journey, and ap-
propriated mule belonging to farm
er living some eight miles west of the
city. During the night he lost the road
and let the mule take its own course,
and landed about daylight at the house
of the mules owner. The farmer and
his son captured him and turned him
over to Sheriff Beck of this county. The
next morning, during the absence of his
guard for few minutes, he almost sue
ceeded in making his escape, having
made rope of his blanket and reach
ing the roof of the building. The Sher-
iff used his persuader and induced him
TO come down from his lofty perch, and
he was turned over to the Sheriff of
Wapello County. The Sheriff of Mon
roe County afterwards started with him
on the train for Abba, and while en-
route Charley jumped through win
dow of the car while the train was in
motion, and and although heavily IRON
ed he made his escape.
From this time until the ellison mur-
der his whereabouts is unknown, and it
is quite likely that during this period he
was in the Indian Territory, as is
charged His reputation as a skillful
burglar and adroit thief has always been
notorious, as has also been his daredevil
actions and careless manner. 1t was
not thought in this city that he had add
ed murder to his other crimes until these
recent developments, which leave no
doubt as to his identity.
He was noted for his shrewdness and
sagacity, and his frequent escapes from
| Jail could be accounted for by stating
that in early life he learned the trade of
gunsmith, and was quite an expert
mechanic. Owing to the peculiar form
alton of his limbs it was impossible to
keep irons on him when he objected to
them. He is skillful penman, writing
beautiful hand, and his skill with a
pen may develop other crimes which he
has committed. At different times he
has studied law and medicine, at one
time intending to practice the former,
and we hear it stated that he taught pen
manship, and occasionally preached.
He speaks, reads and writes German,
talks in Swedish quite fluently, and has
a pretty good idea of French, Latin and
Greek, is splendid mathematician, and
possesses a wonderful memory.