St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-03-31
WAS HIS LEG BROKEN.
The Ruse of a Fractured Bone Adopted to
Prevent Incarceration.

The Ruse of a Fractured Bone Adopted to
Prevent Incarceration.
About three weeks ago deputy sheriff OF
Bismarck arrived in st. Paul, having in Gus
tody P R. Smith, who was sentenced to six
teen months in the penitentiary at Sioux
Falls for assault with deadly weapon with
intent to do great bodily harm :.
The circumstances Of the assault
were very aggrivating, but owing TO
the fact that Smith possessed a great many
influential friends, extra exertions were
made in his behalf at his trial, with the re-
suit that he was let off with what was consid-
cred very light sentence.
In order to make connections a slight
delay was made necessary in st. Paul, and
upon reaching this city the deputy sheriff
kindly consented to give his prisoner the
benefit of walk.
In passing along the street he slipped and
fell on the sidewalk with the result that it
was supposed be had broken one of his legs.
DR.. Snyder was called upon and after cur
sory examination he pronounced the leg
broken. and Smith was removed to St.
Joseph's hospital where he has since re-
manned.
About a week ago it was rumored that the
as a matter Of fact Smith had contrived
the fall ard its reported results
as rusc to keep him from the peniten tiary
or at least cause a delay and thereby afford
his friends an opportunity to
INVOKE THE EXECUTIVE CL.EMENCY.
Sheriff Alex Mckenzie of Bismarck was
appraised Of the report and he forthwith came
to st. Paul with the view of making an in
vestigation. He arrived in the city last week
and after looking over the circumstances he
decided to subject the prisoner to thorough
examination.
The services Of Drs. Murphy, Quinn and
Richie were called into the case, and the eX-
animation took place last Sunday, the result
being that the leg was pronounced not
broken. The affair has created great deal
of chagrin and surprise, and it is expected
that Smith will be taken TO Sioux Falls to-
day.
Mr.. Smith was called upon at the hospital
last evening and was found in bed propped
up by chair. He is apparently man
about fifty-fivc or more years of age, with a
sandy complexion and a sandy greyish
beard, trimmed close to the face. Around
his head was tied red silk handkerchief. On
approaching the bedside the representative
of the GLOBE asked the occupant of the bed
if his name was Smith, and was answered in
the affirmative. lie had no sooner answered
the question than he appeared to take in the
situation and Immediately asked,
''wHo ARE YoU"'
On being informed that his visitor was a
representative of the GLOBE he replied:
~ supposed so. Now | don't care 20
have anything said about me il addition to
what has already been said. The accident
and all there was to it was fully discussed at
the time, aud can't see how any one can
be interested in hearing it over again"
''You broke your leg, did youf
1sYes / broke it down on Sixth street, be-
tween Cedar and Minnesota streets. | fell
oil the sidewalk and across the gutter. The
particulars were all published In the papers
at the time"
Several other inquiries were made, but the
gentleman with the broken leg could not be
induced to say anything further.
DR.. Snyder was asked last night about his
connection with the case, but refused 10
deny or affirm that Smiths leg was broken.
The only answer that he would vouchsafc
was: "You can say that ! never threw a
single obstacle in tle way of taking that
man to the penitentary."