Los Angeles herald., 1890-10-10
Sheriff Bexley Says He Has
Lost His Prisoner.
Nathan Willett Alleged to Have
Escaped at Cotton.
A Suspicion That it is Scheme to
Avoid Writ of Habeas Corpus.
A Queer Story Told by Texas Sheriff
Is Nathan Willett at Large or is He
On His Way to Texas Jail?
Two Theories About the
Matter.

Sheriff Aguirre received yesterday
morning telegram dated Cotton.
Wednesday, 7.07 p. M, from o. A.
Bexley, sheriff of Lee county, Texas, to
the following tenor: "Willett just
made his escape, look out for him." In
reply to the writ of habeas corpus wired
from here to Sheriff Seymour of San
Bernardino, that officer telegraphed
back that he had served the writ on the
Texas sheriff, but that Willett had
escaped from him. Seymour Immediately
sent out four men in pursuit, and they
are now looking for the fugitive. 1t is
stated on good authority that the man
is hidden in San Bernardino.
The way in which Willett effected his
escape is characteristic, and shows his
judgment and nerve. Bexley was
taking him to a car of the overland,
which leaves Cotton at 7 AS p. m. There
was large number of people at the
depot. Willett complained of feeling
cold, and being handcuHfed, asked that
the bracelets be removed an instant for
the purpose of allowing him to put on
his overcoat. No sooner had they been
taken off than, quicker than
a flash, he started to run. The Texas
sheriff drew his revolver and attempted
to draw bead on the fleeing man, but
owing to the crowd that was present,
and being fearful that he might kill or
wound some innocent party. he abstained
from shooting. In the meantime Will
lett disappeared in the darkness, and
that was the last of him. AS will
be seen in communication else
from Mr.. ALI. Todhunter, of Nor
walk, the people of that Sec
tion severely censure Sheriff
Aguirre for having taken the man away
from his home in the manner that he
did, and intend to hold a mass meeting
tomorrow to give vent to their feelings.
The friends of Willett sent two men to
San Bernardino yesterday afternoon to
hunt him up, and if successful in finding
the fugitive he will be induced to give
himself up to Sheriff Seymour, so that
he may be brought to Los Angeles and
the petition for the writ of habeas cor
pus heard in the court.
There is an opinion prevalent in GER
tain minds, however, that Willett has
not escaped, but that the telegram sent
to Sheriff Aguirre by Sheriff Bexley was
simply blind for the purpose of throw
ing off the scent Willett's friends, W no
want to try the effect of a writ of habeas
corpus. Sheriff Bexley, it is said, is not
an officer likely to lose prisoner in the
way indicated. 1t is known that he
feared the consequences of writ OF ha-
beas corpus, as he had the reporters
who saw him previous to his leaving
this city with Willett, announce that
he had taken train twelve hours ear
lier than the one he did take, SO as to
prevent the service on him of such
writ.
DR.. Hazlett, of San Bernardino, ar
rived in this city last night, having seen
Sheriff Seymour late yesterday after
noon. Sheriff Seymour told the doctor
before he left that he and his deputies,
Frank Holcomb and Gus McElvain, had
received word that Willett had escaped,
but they knew nothing about the matter
any more than that such a statement
had reached the sheriff's office. The
more it is looked into, the more
there appears to be likelihood of ''fun-
ny business" in the matter, and that the
arrest may, throughout, prove to be
variety of kidnapping and violation OF
personal rights.