The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1888-02-07
A BABE IN HER ARMS.
Mrs. Minnie Franklin and Her
Child in Prison.
SHE IS WANTED IN SOUTH CAROLINA.

A lady upon whose face the imprint of
broken heart was plain, sat in an arm chair in
the private office at police headquarters all
night. She was attired in heavy black, and in
her arms bright, beautiful boy Of two years
nestled through the long and weary hours of
the night.
She was prisoner.
On the books in the Office below the lady's
name appeared as Mrs. Minnie Franklin.
There was entry for the child because he
was not prisoner. Mrs Franklin is wanted
at Walhalla, South Carolina and was arrested
last night by Detectives Reeves, Bedford,
Grim and Buchanan, who have been searching
the city for her nearly two weeks.
Mrs. Franklin's husband is an Albanian,
and in the directories made when he is in the
city he appears as John Franklin. Franklin
is vender of patent medicines, and moves
about the country at will.
Three years ago he was married in Jackson,
Mississippi and since that time shis wife has
been travelling with him. About two months
ago they with their only child, were in Wal
halla, In some way-just how tdoes not now
appear-Franklin violated the laws and being
unable to make bond went to jail His wife
remained in the town with him doing all she
could to make his prison life pleasant. She is
a lady of pleasant manners and soon secured
the confidence of the jailers to such an extent
that they permitted her to visit him at will
the cell with her husband. There were nine
prisoners i'll the Jail and on Thursday night
last, one week ago, every one except one made
his way out. When the escape was detected
by the officers twas apparent that the opening
had been made with tools. The officers were
naturally anxious to know where the tools
came from but before starting the investiga-
ton made search for the escaped prisoners
On the next day Franklin was recaptured.
He was found five miles from Wahalla with
his wife and child. They were walking along
III the road heavy sleet was falling and
they were nearly frozen when overtaken. The
officers took charge of Franklin, leaving Mrs.
Franklin to make her way back to Walhalla
as best she could A day or after her hus-
band was recaptured she boarded the train and
came to Atlanta with her child
During all this time the officers were in
vestigating the iail-breaking and finally be-
came satisfied that Mrs. Franklin had furn-
ished her husband the tools with which the
escape was made, but when this. was aScer-
tanned the lady could not be found. The
sheriff, however, decided to find her if possible,
and began using the telegraph wires and
United States mails. Among other points
with which he opened communication was At
lanta, and in short time detectives became
satisfied that Mrs. Franklin was i'll the city.
The Walhala officials were communicated
with, and on Thursday last the sheriff came
down but Mrs. Franklin could not be found,
and on Sunday he went home. He went away
one day too soon.
Late yesterday afternoon the detectives as
CeTtained that Mrs. Franklin was at the Ivy
street hospital, and last night arrested her.
At first she denied being the fugitive for
whom the officers were looking, but finally
admitted that the officers were right. She
was conducted to the city prison and made as
comfortable as possible in the private office
belonging TO the captains She cried bitterly
at first. 50 much so that the officers found it
impossible to secure answers to their ques-
tions. After an hours rest the lady said:
&c Nrc Eron Il lin ON /
the lady for whom you are looking"
"You know what you are wanted for?"
-I-don't-know-that. I-do-and-
yet-I-guess-I do"
"What?"
"They say that helped my husband to get
out of Jail but | did not do so.''
you did not?"
"No sir. They were fixed to go two weeks
before they went, but the nights and weather
never suited"
'They claim that you carried the tools into
your husband, don't they?"
eyes, they say | took them in my hustle, but
l did not. The officers let me go in to sleep
there, whenever | wanted, but | never helped
him to get away"
"What was your husband arrested for?'
"fIe was selling medicine without a Ii
censc."
and You were with him when he was cap
tured ?"
Yes, we were walking along in the road.
1t was sleeting Oh, it was an awful day, and
they took him away from me and left me to
get back to town as best l could l was five
miles away, too"
Did you go back to town."
ooh, yes, | went there and staid two days
and then came to Atlanta / saw my husband
after he was put back in Jail. If l gave him
the tools why didn't they arrest me then?'
"When did you get to Atlanta"'
"About two weeks ago
"Where have you been since?"
''When | came to Atlanta L went to Mrs
Maggie ticklens and then to Mrs. FranklnS
Then | went to the Ivy street hospital, where
| have been working since
The South Carolina officers have been noti-
fed by wire of Mrs. Franklin's arrest. She
will he detained until message for her can
arrive.