The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-02-07
MEIR WAS NOT WANTED.
AN Ex-ARMY DEsERTER's sHREwD
CANE ON CHIEF GREEN.

He Proves to be q Deserving Sailor
from a Vessel in Port and surrend-
cred TO the Police as an Army
Fugitive TO Get His Clothes and
Pay from His ship-chief Green
Loses Sight OF the 500 Government
Reward-Lieut Terrest's Investiga-
tion Shows Meir Up.
Charles Meir, who surrendered TO Chief
Green last Sunday as a deserter from
the United States army, was dis
charged yesterday afternoon. Meir was
a deserter from the army, but Chief
Green will not get the 500 reward
which is paid for the return of dessrters to
the proper officials.
There is an interesting little story in con-
nection with the affair which Chief Green's
friends should ask him TO tell them.
Meir walked into the chiefs Office Sunday
and said, "Listen to my tale of woe" He
explained that he wanted to surrender as a
deserter from the United States army, who
had escaped from the government prison at
Fort Leavenworth, Kan. He said that he
was member of Troop E, Fourth cavalry,
at Fort Vancouver, Washington, up to two
years ago.
THE STORY OF THE RUNAWAY.
One day he deserted. carrying away his
horse and q lot of army stores, which he
sold. He was captured and sentenced to
the army prison at Fort Leavenworth for
i've years. Some time afterward he es-
capped from there. he had wandered around
the country considerably since then, and
finally brought up IN Savannah.
The people with whom he was staying
here, he said, had discovered that be was an
escaped convict and had been extracting
money from him on threats of giving him
up to the proper authorities. Tired of lead
ing a dogs life and living in continual fear
of arrest, he had concluded TO give himself
up and serve out his sentence.
THE CHIEF LISTENED.
That was the story he told Chief Green.
His request was granted and he was locked
up until the case could be investigated. The
case came up before Mayor McDonough
Monday, and the mayor instructed Chief
Green to hold the prisoner subject to the
order OF Lieut. Terrett who was then in the
city. Lieut.. Terrett was notified and
sent Corpl. Kilmer down TO see Meir.
Meir repeated the same story to the
corporal which he had told Chief Green,
and gave his convict number as 1853. 1t APP
W
this information Lieut.. Terrett telegraphed
the commandant at Fort Leavenworth
prison TO know IL Charles Melr,
No 1853, deserter from Troop
Z, Fourth cavalry, was wanted at
the prison. He received a reply saying
that mo Charles 'Incer,' deserter Troop Z,
Fourth cavalry, No. 1853, has ever escaped
from this prison.
Lieut.. Terrett saw there was a mistake
G0rnaWhpra and taiaOra rahad foy. an official
copy OF the telegram, which proved to be
an exact copy Of the telegram received by
him, He then telegraphed, In place 'Incer'
read .Meir.'"
NmIR WASN'T WANTED.
He received telegram from Fort Leaven-
worth yesterday afternoon which stated
that Charles Meir, deserter, Troop E,
Fourth Cavalry, was tried by court
martial, convicted and sentenced to Ave
years in prison. He escaped from the
prison. but was recaptured and served out
his time. HE is not wanted here" the
telegram added
to Chief Green, and Meir was released from
the barracks at o'clock yesterday after
noon. He explained his conduct
by saying he was on ship
IN the river and wanted TO leave. He knew
If he deserted that he could not get his
clothes nor the money due. He gave him.
self up as an army deserter, and then got
Chief Green to send for his money and his
clothes, which were sent to him from the
ship. He has gotten away from his ship
with his money and clothes, and has par
taken of the city's hospitality for week.
Meir is a shrewd one, and is now probably
on the lookout for something else to desert
from. Chief Green is out 500 which he
supposed himself to be assured Of.