The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-04-26
4 FIGHT FOR LIBERTY.
TWO OFFICERS HAVE A ROUGH
TINE WITH A PRISONER.

detective Wetherhorn and Constable
Jones Meet With Desperate Resist
ancs from Robert Dixon, an Escaped
Convict-Eis Lodge Brethren Attack
the officers and Try to Rescue Elm
They Fight Their Way Out at the
Point of a Pistol-Dixon a Ten Years,
Prisoner for Burglary.
Detective Henry Wetherhorn and Con.
stable Jones (coloredl had desperate en-
counter last night with an escaped negro
convict, Robert Dixon alias Lee, whom
they ran down IN a barroom in the SOUTH
western part of the city.
Dixon was sent to the penitentiary from
Savannah couple of years ago uDder a ten
years. sentence for robbing C. A. Jennings
residence of a lot of jewelry. About
four months ago he escaped and Detective
Wetherhorn has been on the lookout for
him since that time. Yesterday he heard
that the negro was in the habit of visiting
Lang's grocery and barroom at New Hous-
ton and Burroughs streets Saturday nights,
and he determined to capture him If pos
sibe.
sPoTTING THEIR MAN.
The detective and constable went out last
night shortly after O'Clock, where thew
could see every one who went in or came
out of Lang's place without being seen
themselves. They did not have long 20
wait before Dixon came along and entered
the store He wore a large slouch hat as a
disguise, but as Detective Wetherhoru is
the officer who arrested him at the time Of
the Fleming robbery he had 10 trouble in
recognizing him. He sent Constable Jones
in through the bar door, while he went in
by way of the grocery.
Dixon was standing at the counter when
the detective entered, and he did not see
the officer until he was almost upon him.
As he realized his position the negro jumped
back and threw his hand to his hip pocket
to get his pistol. Detective Wetherhorn
went for his at the same moment, but be-
fore the convict could draw his weapon
Constable Jones struck him a power
full blow across the head with
short stick, which laid him out on the
foor Both officers then closed in on Dixon
and struggle began. The negro is pow
erfully built man, and realizing that his
liberty was at stake, he fought with the
desperation OF wild beast at bay.
AN ATTEMPT TO RESCUE DIXON.
The barroom was crowded with negroes,
and they became highly excited, and when
Dixon called upon them, as members of his
dge, to assist him, they rushed on the Off
GERS and attempted TO rescue the prisoner.
Lang, the storekeeper, Detective Wether-
horn said, urged the negroes on by his
attempts to get at the officers, and IL took
considerable effort on the part of his wife to
restrain him from attacking them.
The officers dubbed their prisoner into
subsection for few minutes, and then
turned their attention to getting him into
the streets. They had to fight
their way through the crowd Of
infuriated negroes at the point
Of their pistols, receiving as they went
several blows. AS soon as the street was
reached Dixon recovered from the effects of
his first clubbing ard again began resisting.
Down into the sand went the trio, and
the officers rained blows thick and fast
upon Dixon's skull. Finding himself be-
coming subdued he again called upon his
lodge brethren to rescue him.
THE OFFICERS ATTACKED.
The negroes responded with alacrity, and
erhorn was struck singing blow over
the head with club, which staggered him
for the moment, while Constable
Jones was cut in the head and
nose. The officers pluckily held
on to their prisoner, however, and finally;
when things were getting too hot, Detective
Wetherhorn called for aid in the name of
the state, and said be would empty his pistol
into the crowd unless it desiSted from its
attacks. This threat had the desired effect,
and two c3lored men went to the assistance
of the officers, and Dixon was subdued and
carried to Jail.
Detective Wetherhorn managed to get
one cuff on Dixon at the start, and he held
on tightly TO the other during the struggle
and, 9s a result, had all the skin tora from
the inside of bis fingers.
Dixon had 3S-caliber loaded revolver on
his person. and, had it not been for the
quick action of Constable Jones in knock
ing him down, be would probably have
killed Detective Wetherhorn. AS it was,
the officers presented a badly used up ap-
pearance after the fight.
A HARD CHARACTER.
Dixon has always borne desperate repu-
tation, and his actions last night proved that
he has good title to it. 1t if probable that
a considerable term will be added to the
convict's previous sentence. a reward is
standing for his return to the penitentiary,
but for what amount is not definitely
known.
Detective Wetherhorn aud his assistant
deserve grt at credit for the arrest under the
difficulties by which they we're beset. 1t is
few men who could have restrained them
Selves under like circumstances, from either
killing the prisoner or some Of the attacking
party.