Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-11-20
ON UNITED STATES SOIL.
COUNTY OFFICERS INVADE TAlE
CUSTOM HOUSE,.


Deputy Sheriff hunter Arrests n United
States Deputy Marshal In the District
Attorneys once and Thinks ne Has
"a Green Country Nigxer"-How He
Found Ont HIS Mistake.
United States District Attorney Dupont
Guerry's Office was the scene Of clash OF
authority yesterday morning between a
State and a Federal official. On Thursday
"a United States colored deputy marshal
named John Smith came over to Savan-
nah 10 arrest some negroes who we're
wanted in the United States courts at
Charleston. One OF the negroes, Francis
Fraser, was arrested and put in the Chat
ham county Jail. Another one, named
Gilbert, was thought to be living on Olive
street.
Between 8 and 10 O'clock Thursday
night Smith and Deputy Marshal Palmer
went to the house in which Gilbert was
supposed to live. The house was unoc-
cupied, and they knocked at the next
door. and said they wanted to get man
who was In there. A negro named Frank
Holmes lived in the house, but he was up
tbe river hunting.
AFTER THE MARsHALs.
Yesterday morning early when he
went home his wife told him that
she had been terribly frightened
by two men the night before.
Holmes went to Magistrate Molina
and stated that two men, one Of whom
was named Smith, bad attacked his house
the night before and tried to yet in. The
men made so much noise. HOln;es said,
hat his wife was frightened and fed from
fhe house. The MagIstrate issued war
rant against Smith, charging him with a
breach of good behavior. Accompanied
10y Deputy Sheriff Jerry Hunter colored J
Holmes went out TO look tor Smith. They
learned in n saloon that Smith bad gone
towards the Custom House. Undeterred
by the awful majesty and dignity of the
frowning Federal building, the two
mounted the granite steps aud assembled
10 the court room. Not finding their m an
there, they began looking into the rooms
OF the court officers.
OUT OF HIS BEAT.
In few moments Smith was found In
she District Attorneys office. Without any
formal Introduction. Hunrer pulled out
his warrant and proceeded 10 serve it
upon the astonished deputy marshal. The
latter without much ado took the paper,
glanced contemptuOusly at 1t and handed
1t back with the remark that be did not
recognize it. Ii unter, in bOisterous
tone, ordered Smith to consider himself
under arrest and to accompany MIN to
the Magistrates office. Mr.. Guerry was
busy writing at mis- desk making out
some papers for Smith. The District At
torney had not noticed Hunter and
Holmes when thew entered, as witnesse IS
are constantly coming and going.
LOUD WORDS PASSED.
The first loud words attracted his at.
fention, and LOOKING up he was amazed to
underwriting N
arrest the deputy marshal. Hunter was
insisting that Smith should obey the war
rant Smith said that he was deputy
marshal, and Hunter wanted to see his
commission. The paper was shown, and
then Hunters badge of authority was de-
manded. He threw open his coat and
flashed his badge at the deputy marshal.
The two glared at each other and Tor a
couple OF seconds it looked as IL the two
would do more than talk. Both were
sharply ordered to be quiet by Mr..
Query, and they started out.
Smith was advised by Mr.. Query 10 60
TO the Magistrates Office and see what
she warrant as issued for.
THE CHARGE DISMISSED.
HeaccordIngiY went along with Hunter,
who thought h had his man under ar
rest. When Smith explained the matter
10 Justice Molina and stated who he was,
charge against him. Pretty soon after
that warrants were sworn out before
United States Commissioner Wade
against Hunter and Holmes
The former was charged with
interfering with the United States officer
while in the discharge of his duty, and
Holmes was charged with assisting him.
Hun er gave $500 bond and waived a pre-
liminary examination. Holmes will
probably waive an examination also.
Hunter states that he did not know that
Smith was deputy marshal, but thought
that he was "a green cOuntry niger"
who did not know that he was not in the
State OF Georgia when he was in the
Gsstom House building.
Deputy Marshal Palmer stated that he
aud Smith did not make any uncalled for
noise at Holmes house. They belIev ed
and still believe that Holmes was pro-
tecting Gilbert and trying to keep him
out of their way.