The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-12-19
A HORSE THIEF SHOT.
A DESPERATE CAREER SUDDENLY
BROUGHT TO A HALT.

James Kin steals 6Ofbe from the
Vernon Race Track Stables and is
Pursued and Shot by Mr.. 4. o.
Rogers
James King, white man and horse
thief, was shot through the body Saturday
evening about twenty-four miles from the
city by E. o. Rogers, who had gone in pur-
suit Of him. He was brought back to the
the city yesterday morning at o'clock over
the Savannah, Florida and Western rail-
road and was taken to the barracks and at
tended TO by DR.. Comm, who Afterward
sent him 10 the hospital. King was shot
squareIy in the back and the bullet. which
was fred from Winchester. went clear
through and came out in the chest. King
will in all probability die, as there appears
to be very little hope for him on the part OF
the physician.
Il was learned that Friday night late or
early Saturday morning horse WAS stolen
from a stall at the Vernon race track. IL
was Texas pony but very valuable an-
irnal Of its kind and was the property OF
George Schwar There were a number OF
other horses stabbed there, some OF them
very fine ones, but King does not appear to
have been very choice as to his selection,
although be could have stepped into the
next stall and gotten an animal very much
superior In some respects to the Texas
pony.
Mr.. Rogers has charge of the stables at
the treck, and as soon as be discovered the
theft he set about 70 capture the thief. Sus
picion at once pointed TO King, who had
been loafinR about the track and livery sta
bles generally, and as the sequel proved the
suspicion was well founded. Inquiry was
made along the different roads leading from
the city, and a description of the man and
horse was given. It was learned that King
had been seen by a number Of persons early
in the morning, and Nr. Rogers lost no time
In starting In pursuit.
THE RoBBER SIGHTED.
After a long and hard drive be was re-
warded by catching up with the thief near
Kings bridge on the Ogeechee river. When
Rogers came up King had stopped on the
road and was talking TO some negroes. he
saw Rogers when be approached within
about 100 yards OF him and at first made an
attempt 10 draw his pistol Il appeared that
way, but instead OF getting out his pistol be
turned to run. Rogers called on him sew
eral times TO halls but King went
ahead. Rogers raised his Winchester
aud fred twice at the fleeing
man, but missed him. The third
shot accomplished the purpose, for the bull
let brought KING 10 the ground. While at
tempting TO get away King threw pack
age which be carried into pond. 1t is not
known what il contained, as no tnvestiga-
tion was made, that being matter that
Rogers was not especially interested in at
the time.
King was shot about dark. He was taken
90 the nearest house, where all that could
be done for him was done and he was
brought back TO the city as stated.
KINGS wARLIKR ARRAY.
King was arrayed somewhat in wild
western way. Around his waist was a
cartridge belt, 70 which was hung a e.
shooter, a brand new dirk and a razor. In
the saddle bags be had curry comb and
brush, and good sized field glass for long
distance observations. Besides this he car
ried shotgun, but as Rogers was too far
away that gun could not be used. After
he was shot King told Rogers that 10 was a
good thing that he king did not have
rife, as the affair would have resulted quite
differently and in manner not at all pleas
ant to Mr.. Rogers.
SOMETHING ABOUT KING.
IL was learned that King is from New
York and has been here about four weeks
It Is said that he came here with several
horses which northern man sent to win
ter in the south, but this could not be veri-
fled. Since he has been In Savannah be has
been loafing about the livery stables In the
city, especially around Younglove q Good
mans. He had a number Of gold watches
about his person, but was always careful
not to make any show Of them around
white men. He would show them to ne
groes aud would sell them whenever posi-
BILE. 1t Is supposed from his actions In this
respect that these watches we're stolen. IL
is thought, too. by the officers that King is
probably criminal wanted in New York,
for after be was shot down he pleaded not
to be taken back to that city and said he
would rather die than go back a wish that
seems likely to be gratified.
King was too sick to be seen yesterday as
the doctor gave positive instructions that
he must talk as little as possible and not be
disturbed. 1t could not be learned what
King was up TO and why he should rig him
self out as travelling armory. He must
have had in his mind the commission of
some desperate deed. Some of the police
officials suggested that maybe he intended
to hold up some train and rob the pas
sengers. If that was bis idea he was GER
tainly very well equipped for the expedi-
ton.
SUSPECTED OF ROBBERY BEFORE.
King has been keeping very quiet lately
a. be was suspected of being implicated in
one or two small robberies committed at
the race track and at livery stables. Some
time ago three very valuable shotguns
were stolen at the race track, and King was
under suspicion. Officers have been look
ing for him, but up to Saturday he sue
ceeded in eluding them He had gold
watch on his person when shot and Gil and
a few cents in his pocket book. His field
glass would have been of material assist
nnoe to him while being pursued,
for from an elevated place he
could sweep the horizon and
locate those who might be pursuing him.
He was caught Off his guard and was trying
90 negotiate a sale of watch to negroes
when Mr.. Rogers slipped up on him. 1t is
supposed that the package thrown into the
pond contained watches or jewelry, though
It may be the package cannot be recovered
For various reasons none of the detectives
could get off to 60 in pursuit, so Mr.. Rogers
went himself, after a consultation with
Chief OF Police Green.