The Opelousas courier. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1852-1910, 1884-07-26

LIZ ouA 1SSuO vi tAC 1SuA AASUss VIC
copied an article from the N. o. City
IteB, headed "Sam B. Bird" which
Mr.. Bird claims is incorrect in several
respects, and requests the publication
of the accompanying statement and al
SO desires US to state that the charge
that he had !'threatened bloody ven
geance to all who were connected with
his arrest was false; but that he did
say he intended to have legal redress
to the full extent of the law.
Feb. 7, 1883.
[ applied to the St. Charles Hotel
for room, and failed to get it. The
night of the 9Th I applied again for a
room and picked up chair, and set it
by the second southeast column, the
same being scolloped out, and the iron
railing lacked fourteen inches of being
extended to the column. Ny chair
turned over and threw me between the
railing and column, both arms being
dislocated at elbow and wrist, my fore
head beng skinned about the size of
dollar, showing the bone completely,
and also my left leg was partially dis
located, and three left ribs fractured
and left ear split downwards about one
third, | was picked up and carried to
the Charity Hospital. | was taken
from the same against my will and was
removed on the 5th to Belleville Ills.
[ came to myself at Cairo, and also at
Belleville on the night of the 10th.
The physicians of Belleville told me
that | was moved too early by two
r,nn+hc Nv I,et
on the 18th of March, and l laid until
the 10th day of June in hospital, and
then was removed to Jail on the 25th
of June, and then was removed back to
the hospital on the 25th day of Nov.
and remained until the last day of
Dec, and then removed back again to
jail. On the 9th day of January sent
dollar down stairs to pay debt for
some tobacco, and received note in
return that they had the Jail broke,
and was waiting for the Deputy-Sher-
if to come in and walk them. Their
intention was to knock him in the
head, and all leave in daylight.
sent for the Sheriff and could not get
him, and then sent for the different
doctors that could place confidence in,
and did not get Them I telegraphed
on the evening of the 14th day of JAN,
'84. The person came. wrote let
ter to the sheriff, and he received it
stating the condition of the Jail and
their plans; they did not leave until
the Sunday following, the 18th. They
obtained news and left ON Sunday
night without getting a chance to
knock the Deputy Sheriff in the head,
and then / was charged with assisting
them with money, and was held until
the 22d day of March, and then was
sent to States Prison Hospital and re-
mained there until June. Their May
and June term of Court had adjourned
when was released, which prevented
me from bringing suit for their actions.
was not spoken to by the judge or
Jurors whether I was guilty or not
guilty. The j. B. Bird that they de-
sired, robbed the mail in Springfield,
Mo-, May, 1883, and was captured In
June, 1883, and / did not know the
man. They came from all parts of the
United States, including paymasters
and other citizens, and many who knew
j. B. Bird said that I was not the man.
Mr.. Collins of Chicago. who was
charged of being with me in the rob-
berry of paymaster Garsides in 1880
was sentenced for ten years, and was
reprieved after my arrest and testimo-
ny. They set many traps to lmplicate
me while they had me in custody. AT
ter | was released I went and demand
ed the bones of my arm the hand
and wrist bone of which had been
eaten up by vitriol--even the joints.
/ am well known all over the Conti-
nent as S. B. Bird, and never have de-
MED my name. The New Orleans pa
pers stated that when / applied for a
room that / was under the influence of
liquor, which is false, and what's more,
other parties will prove differently !;
and they also stated that was trying
to make my escape from officers, which
is also falae. S. B. BIRD.