Daily globe., 1883-07-08
President OF Council.
THos. A, PRENDERGAsT, City Clerk.
4 STRAWBERRY MARK MISSING.

The Capture OF an Illinois Murderer in
Wright County Proves Erroneous-He
Had all the Strawberry Marks But One,
and This Omission Secures His Release.
Sheriff John G. Nugent of Wright coun-
| ty, one of the widest awake and efficient
officials in his line in the state, as well as
one of the best natured, was in the dumps
| yesterday. In fact he was disgusted, mad.
On the ''galorious'' Fourth, after following
| a pointer for months, he arrested at Dover
Lake, Wright county, man calling him
self Andrew ]. McCauley, but who Sheriff
Nugent had good reason TO believe was one
John Reed, who twelve years before at
Sycamore, H., had, in ft Of jealousy,
murdered his sweetheart, one Joan Nc
Cormick, the murderous shot being fired
through the dining room window while the
family were at their evening meal, the girl
Joan falling from her chair dead. Ne one
saw Reed fire the gun, but the circQm-
stances so plainly pointed to him as the
murderer that he was pursued
by the neighbors, and finally
found and captured in concealment
under barn. At first there was talk of
lynching, but finally he was surrendered to
the authorities. On the 18th of July, 1871,
Reed made written confession of his
crime and was indicted, but on the 1st of
March, 1872, he escaped from the jail, an
escape, 1t was charged at the time, aided
by the sheriff on considerations offered by
Reeds attorney, who it was also said, had
received $4,000 from friends of Reed in
Ireland, to be applied to that purpose.
From the day Of Reeds escape, eleven
years ago last March, he has been dead to
the world, Notwithstanding large re-
wards and minute descriptions of him
were sent all over the county, and especial
ly to the sherifs and detectives of this
state, in which it was known he had rela-
tives living.
Reids physical and personal character
istics were very marked, so marked
that it would naturally be
supposed his counterfeit did not exist He
was FIVE feet nine inches, dark complexion.
curly black hair, a scar over his left eye. a
crack shot either with the rife or revolver,
and fine of-hand performer upon the
violin, handling the bow with his left
hand.
This was the man that Sheriff Nugent.
after years Of watching. found celebrating
the Fourth at Dover Lake, his shots with
the rite at glass balls never missing, and
his revolver shooting, a revolver in each
harI, at objects thrown in the air. aston
ishing all, while his playing upon the
violin, handling the bow with his left hand,
set the feet of his spectators to tripping
the Light fantastic involuntarily. OF
course the sheriff took McCauley into Gus
tody as the man Reed. McCauley pro-
tested his innocence most vigorously, but
the Identification was too straight in every
little detail TO deceive an old official |
like Nugent, and straightway he wired the !
sheriff Of Sycamore county that he had the |
long missing and anxiously sought for |
Reed, and to come on, claim property, |
pay charges and take him away. The |
sheriff, L. 2. Wood, passed through st. |
Paul Thursday for Buffalo, Wright county. |
Upon being brought into the presence of |
McCauley he complimented Sheriff |
Nugent upon his good for |
tune, expressing himself as /
thoroughly satisfied that he had the man |
Reed without a question. Anxious that |
all doubts might be Quieted, Sheriff Wood |
telegraphed Mr.. G. F. Greenwood, treasu-
rer of Sycamore county, who was person
ally cognizant of every strawberry mark
upon Reeds person, to meet him in st.
Paul yesterday. In obedience to this tele-
gram, Sheriff Nugent, with his prisoner
McCauley, Sheriff Wood, and County
Treasurer Greenwood, of Sycamore coun-
ty, H., net at the Merchants yesterday
forenoon. Mr.. Greenwood carefully look
ed McCaUley over, and heard the state
ment of Sheriff Nugent as to his shooting
feats, and his violin playing.and expressed
himself as fully convinced he was Reed.
But" said he, ''one other strawberry
mark has to be established to make the
complete"
''WhaU is that?7 aksed Sheriff Nngent.
Reed has lost his second toe on the
left foot, back of the first joint, from
which a scar extends diagonally to the
left side of the foot, just back of the
ball.
Straightway McCauley was required to
show up his left foot, and 10, it
was found perfect in all particu-
lars. Mr.. Greenwood examined the
closely, and pronounced the
foot perfect, and then pronounced the
dictum that McCauley was not Reed.
The dictum was staggerer to Sheriff |
NUgent, but ne braced up sufficiently to
McCauley upon the outcome
of the affair, while McCauley kindly said
TO the sheriff that he bore no i'll will for
the mistake ne had made and thanked him
for the kindly treatment he had received
while in his custody, all of which
vas very pleasing and solacing to
Nugent. But later when he got to think
ing it over, Nugent became decidedly dis
gusted with himself and the whole affair;
n fact mad to think ne had overlooked
hat one important strawberry mark. the
Oss of that left toe.
Sheriff Wood and Treasurer Greenwood
eft on their return to their homes at De
Aalb, Illinois, last evening, while Sheriff
Nugent and Mr.. McCauley went west, the
after free man.