Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1889-09-06
q Mysterious Prisoner Who
Gould Not Be Confined in
Jail.

u MY SG6r1OuS prisoner w no
Gould Not Be Confined in
Jail.
Clay Center, Kansas, has Just pas
sed through a sensation that Is out Of
the ordinary run of wild western in
cidents.
One night last October. John P.
Campbell, editor of the Clay Center
Dispatch, was awakened by hearing
someone stumble in his room. He
made a quick movement and con
fronted the intruder, inquiring what
he wanted. The man very cody ac-
cepted the situation and said:
81 was just passing the house, and
being out of money, thought I would
come in and find some; but as I was
gong away with a little bundle that I
had gathered, 1 stumbled on this rug
and awakened you. I am very sorry
indeed that I disturbed your rest"
''Well, you are a cool one," rejoin-
ed Campbell. Il guess you had bet
ter stay where you are for a few min
utes, until I dress, and I will take
you down and introduce you to the
sheriff"
you are very kind indeed, to go to
so much trouble for a stranger" pO-
litely said the burglar; 81 would be
very glad to make his acquaintance"
Mr.. Campbell escorted his prisoner
to the county jail and turned him
over to Sheriff James Sterling, who
placed the man in cell. He was
taken next morning before Justice Of
the Peace, j. w. Miller, to whom he
said' his name was Henry Carton.
He made no defense, and waived ex-
animation. The justice fixed his
bond at $1,000, but as he was an en-
tire stranger in the neighbOrhOOd,
and had no money, he was remanded
to Jail to await the January term of
district court.
The jail is a two story stone build
ing, with improved iron cells and
locks on the grating, and has been
considered one of the strongest in
the State
About noon on the day of the com
mitment Carton sent for an attor-
ney, r. P. Hardness, who went to the
jail to talk about the case, and de
fine the line of defense. Carton,
however, had not a word to say
about his crime, but confined the con
versatiOn to scientific and literary
subjects He was an exceedingly
we'll read man, and surprised Mr..
Hardness by his crudition. After
consuming over an hour in this talk,
Mr.. Hardness became impatient and
asked Carton to speak of his case,
''You play billiards don't you?'
said Carton.
eyes. Wby?" was the surprised
answer.
''Wel1, I will meet you at that bill
lard hall across the way at 8 O'Clock
this evening, and while we are enjoy
ing a game of billiards we can talk
about the case"
''But the sheriff won't let you out
to play billiards. You must remem-
Der you are in jail"
Chats all right. You meet NE
there at s o'clock this evenings" an
swered Carton.
The GOODNESS and earnest tone Of
the speaker gave him the appearance
of making trips through stone walls
and barred doors, and Hardness
hardly knew what to make of his
strange client He. thought the man
was making game Of him; but as
night came on he could not resist the
temptation, and before 8 o'clock he
was at the billiard hall. Just as the
clock struck s the door opened, and
in walked Carton. His entrance ere
ated no surprise to anyone IN the
room except Hardness, as he had
been seen by but few in the city. He
walked straight up to Hardness, and
J the two men began a game Of bill
lizards.
While the game was in progress
Sheriff Sterling entered the place
He did not recognize Carton, but
Hardness, who was completely non
plussed over the matter, called t.
Sterling and said:
Look here, Sterling, is it your US