The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-04-17
NOT THE RIGHT BURTON
THE POLICE GET HOLD OF THE
WRONG MAN.

Charles Burton, of New York, Taken
for the Augusta Fugitive and Spends
a Night at the Barracks-1he tx
Theatrical Manager in High Dudgeon
and Threatens to Sue the City for
False Imprisonment - How the
Mistake Was Made.
Charles Burton, who was arrested here
Sunday, charged with cheating and swind-
ling in Augusta, was released yesterday at
the instance of Mr.. George c. Chambers,
who came down from Augusta to identify
him. Mr.. Chambers said that Burton is
not the party referred to in the telegram to
the police here.
Mr.. Charles Burton, or more properly
Mr. Charles Burton Chadwick is former
well-known theatrical manager but now
member of the firm of Burton. Jones & Co.,
of New York. He came to Savannah last
Thursday and registered at the Marshall
House as Charles Burton. The authori-
ties in Augusta were apprised
of this fact by conductor
running on the Central road. Immediately
a telegram was sent by Mr. j. O. Holden,
of Augusta, to Lieut.. Green, acting Chief
of the Savannah Police, ordering the arrest
of F. II. Burton, supposed to be stopping at
the Marshall House. Chief Green said in
his reply to the message, 81 cannot act on
your telegram; confer with Chief of Po-
lice"
At o'clock Sunday afternoon the follow
ing telegram was received:
Arrest Burton, charged with stealing, wire
answer
This was signed by J. A. Twiggs, Chief
Police, Augusta.
BURTON ARRESTED.
Upon receipt of this message Sergt. Kill
lourhy was commissioned to make the ar
rest When the officer took Burton into
custody he could not inform him with what
Offense he was charged, but upon reaching
the barracks the chief told him that he was
charged with stealing in Augusta. The
prisoner protested his innocence, hut Chief
Green had no authority to release him.
He filed the description in every par
ticular,n said the Chief to MORNING NEWS
reporter last night, with but one excep-
ton, and that was his moustaChe He had
no conversation with me- other than pro-
testing his innocence. left the office within
five minutes after he was brought down.
and did not know anything more about the
matter until yesterday morning, when Mr.
Chambers came down to identify him. |
released him, but did 50 somewhat reluct-
antly, because | did not know but that it
was put-up job to get Burton liberated
The Chief expressed himself as being very
sorry that the mistake. which he afterward
found he had made, should have occurred.
but he remarked that if the thing was to be
done over tomorrow the same steps would
be taken.
SAYS HE WILL SEEK REDRESS.
Mr.. Burton has communicated with a
number of his friends by wire and mail
since his release, and was in a quiet
said that whether guilty or innocent, when
a man is released from behind the bars he
feels like a bird out of a cage. Mr. Burton
has family in New York, to which he has
written, giving the particulars of his arrest
He intended leaving on the steamer for
New York to-day, but has postponed his
departure until the latter part of the week
He says that Savannah cannot boast of Off
GERS who are in the least degree courteous
or even merciful. He thinks redress is DOS.
sible, and he intends to push the matter
until it is had.
A MORNING NEWS reporter interviewed
Sergt. Killourhy last night, and he states
positively that Mr.. Burton was treated with
marked courtesy. He was permitted to
walk by himself to the barracks. Further,
he was not locked in a cell, but was given
good bed and in a large and airy room.
The Sergeant says that Mr. Burton made
no request that kilograms of inquiry should
be sent to Augusta, and that the prisoners
money be used for that purpose, as Mr..
Burton claims. II he had made such re-
quest the officer said that it would have
been readily granted