Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-04-27
TOO MANY ESCAPES.
JUDGE WITT TAKES ACTION AGAINST
THg JAIL OFFICIALS.
The Sergeant Ruled TO Show Why He
Should Eot Be Removed-Jailers
and Watchmen SUSPENDED.

nv III O'CLOCK !eetclu4y morning Judge
Witt ascended the bench IN the Hastings
Court for the purpose OF making an inyesti-
CATION In regard to the recent escape Of two
prisoners from the city Jail.
HAD 40 OFFICIAL INFORMATION.
His Honor, addressing Common wenlth's-
Attorney Spotswood. stated that he had been
informed through the press OF the escape of
the prisoners, but had received no official
notification OF the facts from any officer OF
the jail. The investigation, he said, was FOR
the purpose OF getting at the truth, and with
this end in view summonses had been issued
for several newspAper-meu. but none oil
them bad put I'm their appearance.
SEARCHING FOR REPORTERS.
He suggested that messengers be sent to
the Dispatch and Times offices for the re-
pOrters, which was done. but these witnesses
upon whom no summonses had been
served had not reached the offices.
TIE SERGEANT DID NOT APPEAR.
Judge Witt further stated that he had told
CitF-Sergeant Carter to be present at the in
vesagstion. and as that geHtlcman had not
arrived be directed Deputy Sergeant Bur-
gess to 20 In search OF him.
The Deputy Sergeant went off and soon
returned TO the courtroom and announced
thar he could not find Mr.. Carter. and in re-
ply 10 question from the Court Nr. Burgess
said he had not seen the Sergeant since We'd
netday.
Mr. II. VI. Smith, Jr., told the Court that
he had Just received information that Mr..
Carter was expected to wait upon a couple
In Norfolk yesterday.
AN OFFICIAL DUTY.
Judge " lit said that IL was due 10 the
Court and the community that the matter be
Investigated and IL was Mr Carter's duty to
be present, as he bad been notified that the
investigation would begin at II O'Clock.
The Court then ordered Deputy
Macon TO 60 TO the newspaper offices and
bring the witnesses to the Court, but that
officer returned and said he could not find
the reporters.
RULE ISSUED AGAINST TUE SERGEANT.
The Judge then announced that il would
he impossible TO 60 on with the case, aud he
would therefore continue 1t until Monday at
II O'Clock, and ordered the clerk 10 issue
rule against Mr.. Carter to show cause at that
time why he should not be removed for ne.
gIec; OF duty.
Judge Witt said that this investigation was
a very painful duty TO him, but that it was
pubic duty and one that belonged to the
proper discharge Of hls official obligations
and be would discharge It, however painful
il was.
DEPUTIES AND wATCHMEN SUSPENDED.
The Judge suspended until Monday
Deputy-Sergeants Burgess and Leo and
Waichmen Hail and Burns. lie told these
gentlemen TO procure all the evidence posi-
BILE for their defence, as he did not wish to
do them aniniustice.
TO TAKE CHARGE TEMPORARILY.
Deputy.Sergeant Macon was ordered 10
iake charge OF the duties OF the Sergeant
and 10 superintend the affairs at the jail un-
tl further notice.
Pouce.Sergelnts +. =. Hulce and Alex
andcr Tomlinson were sworn in rs Mr. Ma
con, deputies. The former will have
charge Of the isll during the day and the
latter at night until the investigation Is
ended.
TO INVESTIGATE THIS MORNING.
Later in the day Judge WIT concluded to
60 into the Investigation this morning, ana
witnesses were summoned accordingly. The
Judge isa member OF Governor Lees stali
and be will attend the centennial celebra-
tion 10 New York Monday.
No summouscs were served upon the Dis
ra,ch reporters to be present yesterday
moraing at court. Sunimonses to appear
this morning were served late yesterday eve
ming.
PERSONAL.
Sergeant Carter was on the streets yester-
day afternoon.
TIE REPORTERS.
An impression seems to have prevailed
among some OF the officers that the reporters
were trying 10 avoid being summoned, but
such was not the case. When the Deputy
Sergeant visited the newspaper offices yes
terday morning, the scribe-, whose work
is into the early hours OF the morning,
were at home asleep. As soon as they
reached their places Of business and found
they were wanted as witnesses they prompt
ly went to the courtroom, but Judge witt
had continued the investigation before they
arrived. All that they can tell * that the
watchmen OF the Jail gave positive assu-
RANGES that there had been no escapes, and
that was several hours SITTER the two prison.
ers had secured their liberty.