The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1890-08-01
THEESCAPEOFGRA
HOW THE DEFAULTING EX-
TREASURER JUMPED
THE GAME.

Apropos OF the recent trial of
Hemingway, the ex-treasurer a
jackson boy reviews the delalca-
ton Of ex-treasurer Graves and
his escape into Canada more than
half a century ago, in the Jackson
Commonwealth.
The quiet little city OF Jackson
was stirred from centre to circum
ference when it was make known
that Treasurer Graves was short in
his accounts and the governor had
appointed a committee TO examine
his books. The treasurer was al
once put under arrest, and the
committee set 10 work TO invesli-
gate the accounts of his Office. AS
il was not deemed expedient 10
confinc him in prison during the
examination a number Of the clti-
zens were appointed TO guard him.
In the ante belium days there
stood in front of what is now
known as the government building
famous boarding establishment
known as The Dickson House" !"
kept by the widow OF Gen. David
Dickson, a man in his day of con-
siderable political influence, but
not more than his widow. 1t was
the RENDEZVOUS of all the high po-
liIical cockalorums of whatever
class thai assembled at Jackson in
those days, either dancing attend
ance upon The supreme court, or
attracted hlher by the sessions of
the legislature or Of some political
gathering, for Jackson was a
mighty place in those days for
these conclaves where each man
came 10 grind an AK for himself or
Tor some dearly beloved. These
were the days Of Sergeant S. 5.
Prenlies and Shocoo Jones and
Hiram q. Runnells, and host of
those brilliant lights that shed
halo over The fair name and fame
of Mississippi II was such char
acters as those mentioned as were
to be iound at this celebrated hos
telry.
TO this house Graves was car
ried on The morning of his escape,
where he had rooms for himself
and family. The night previous
Graves, worn with care aud weary
with the burlhens he had heaped
upon himself, was conveyed by
his guards to his room, with WIN
dows fastened, was left with his
family, with the guard Of citizens
at the door. 1t was the last night
for years that lie was going to
spend with his devoied wife. The
next morning at 7 O'Clock one of
the guards knocked at the door
with a request that Mr.. Graves
would dress himself and come out.
The summons was answered by
his wife, who answered that Graves
was in a deap sleep, and pleaded
that he might not be disturbed.
Soon thereafter The mother OF Mrs.
Graves passed the guard and enter
ed The room bearing in her hand a
cup Of coffee and wearing on her
head an old-fashioned sun bonnet.
Remaining in the room a short
time she passed out.
One of The guards at the door
Was Mr.. James Kerr, a man whose
devotion to duty was not 10 be ex-
ceeded by anyone.
Alter the advent of the mother
in-law the suspicious Of Mr. Kerr
we're aroused that all might not be
right, aud rising he approached The
door and knocking called for Mr,
Graves. Again The pleading voice
of his wife was heard beseeching
| for more rest Tor the weary hus.
band. but the guard was not 10 be
put cG, and pushing the door open
he approached The bed and threw
the spread from The recambenl
form Of the treasurer
Great Scotlsl What a sight was
then and there presented. 10 these