Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-09-18
STILL OUT OF SIGHT.
Fitzsimmons' Hiding Place Is as Much
a Mystery as Ever.
AN ARREST PROVES FRUITLEsS.
Rigid Investigation Of the Jail End Of the
Case Yesterday.
CITY HAPPENINGS sPLICED TOGETHER

Fitzsimmons is still at large. The only
circumstance favorable to his capture is the
sudden falling off in wild rumors of his
having been located. The police regard
this as an evidence that people have re-
covered from their spasmodic agitation over
the escape and are really settling down to
intelligent action. As to che whereabouts of
the escaped murderer there is no informa-
tion. There is not even a respectable clew.
But Superintendent Weir is nevertheless
confident that the man will come to light.
While being careful to follow every clew,
no matter how improbable, he places chief
confidence in the liberal manner in which
Fitzsimmons has been advertised. If the
missing man is in Pittsburg the. local
officers will get him. If he is elsewhere, he
will be readily identified by his photograph
and description.
Fitzsimmons is such a peculiar Individual
that any person of ordinary perception
could recognize him after carefully study
ing the documents sent ont. Probably no
man who ever broke Jail has gained such
notoriety. During the two days of his
liberty over 1000 circulars containing
photograph and description have been sent
out over the Unites States and Canada to
police and newspapers by Superintendent
Weir and Sheriff McCleary.
DESCRIPTIONS WANTED EVERYWHERE
Double that number will leave the Pitt
burg postofice in the next two days. TIE
necessity of this is evidenced by scores Of
letters received at police headquarters
yesterday asking for circulars. As many
more were Acknowledgements of the receipt
of the documents and assurances of every.
thing possible being done to put them to
good use. They came from all parts OF tile
country --..s
About 7:JO O'Clock last evening a telegram
came from Chief of Police Delbrugge, of
Wheeling, stating that a man answering to
the description of FitZsimmOns had been ar
rested there. He was wired to hold the man
and Detective Shore was sent on at once.
Superintendent Weir at once made prepara-
tfons for a special train to Wheeling to bring
the prisoner back, awaiting E word from the
to the effect that 1t was the wrong man. This
was the only scare of the day.
As much interest is centered on the action
of the Prison Board as on the search for
Fitzsimmons. The Quarterly Committee,
consisting of Mayor Gourley, Sheriff Nc
Cleary and Commissioner Weir, began their
investigation at O'Clock in the afternoon.
They remained at the Jail until o'clock. A
critical examination of the institution was
made, especially in that portion where Fitz-
simmons operated in making his escape.
Every detail was carefully considered and
expert testimony was taken as to cutting
bars, scaling ropes, etc. Warden Berlin and
Deputies Soffel and Marshall were put
through q lengthy cross-f1re of questions:
The result would not be divulged. One of
the committee said:
TO MAKE AN OFFICIAL REPORT
at would be improper for us to report
to the public before we report to the Prison
Board which ordered this inquiry. Such
Information as we have cleaned will be sub
mitted in the form of report to the board
at it's next meeting. We are authorized to
call special meeting when our report is
ready, but it will probably take o few days
is submitted the public will, l have no
doubt, be made acquainted with its con-
tents"
Assistant Deputy Warden Robb of the
ernoon, and WAS naturally surprised that
any suspicion had been CAUSED by his being
away on leave of absence He expects to
be called before the Prison. Beard Investi-
eating Committee to-day -.
A valuable aiG to those searching for Fitz-
simmons has been secured in the United
for whose murder Fitzsimmons was to be
tried, was once connected with this service.
Every United States detective was a per-
sonnl friend of the dead man and feels
slayer. A letter was received yesterday
morning from the Secret Service headQuar-
ters Mt Washington asking for pictures and
descriptions of Fitzsimmons and giving as
surance of all the aid in the power of the
service
The possibility of a change in the manage
ment OF the jail and the prospects of the
many candidates out were causing an end
less amount of talk Yesterday. In addition
to those already in the field ex-Warden
Gang and John Pitcairn were announced as
aspirants. The prospects,of many of those
i'll the field are decidedly thin. In fact
Inspector McAleese, and ex-Warden Gang
are apparently the only ones who stand
much chance. In the Court House and City
Hall, the two centers of interest in such
matters McAleese is generally considered
to be in. the lead. Members of the
Prison Board have nearly all come in con-
tact with him i'll an official way, especially
the Judges of the county, who all speak
highly of his ability in handling criminals.
In addition to this he has been indorsed by
almost every public official in the city.