Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-10-27
TOM DIXON TRAPPED.
The Young Baptist Preacher Fined
$155 for Shooting Birds
WITH NEITHER LAW NOR LICENSE.
He Tries to Run Away From the State Game
Protector, but Is
CAUGHT AND MADE TO PAY THE PRICE

NEW YORK, Oct. 26. - Rev. Thomas
Dixon, JE, pastor of the Twenty-third
Street Baptist Church. started out yester-
day morning on little cunning expedi-
tlon. 1t proved, no doubt, to be the big
gest one-day trip he had ever taken. The
woods of Staten Island was where Mr..
Dixon chose to shoot. He was accompanied
by colored boy, who carried his shooting
jacket. leggins and rubber shoes packed in
valise. His breech-loading, double bar
relied gun he carried himself
Arriving at the island MI. Dixon donned
his shooting clothes and entered the wood,
accompanied by the colored boy. He beat
along to the south, and the crack, crack of
his gun could be heard for mile around.
When he emerged from the woods il was
evident that he had got something. His
face was radiant with smiles, and the col
ored boy chuckled and bestowed looks of
admiration on his employer, To change
his clothes and pack the valise was only the
work of short time, and then MI. Dixon
and the boy were prepared to start for
home.
Caught by a Game Protector.
Mr.. Dixon carried the gun and the boy
lugged the valise containing clothes and
birds. At the ferry slip at st. George, at
the arrival and departure of every boat,
there stands State fish and game pro-
tector. Many persons don't know this, and
Mr. Dixon was one of those persons. Game
Protector John w. Lisk was standing
there when Mr.. Dixon got off the
train. He noticed the tall preacher walk
ing toward the boat, but would probably
have let him go had not the colored boy
attracted his attention. For no other rea-
son than that the boy accompanied the
man did he look again, and then it was that
he saw that Rev. Mr.. Dixon carried gun
partly concealed.
Lisk approached Mr.. Dixon, touched
him on the shoulder, and said, "Come with
me-"
"What tor?" asked Mr.. Dixon.
well, think you have got some game"
"Are sparrows gamer" asked the
preacher.
got?"
"Well, about all, replied MI. Dixon.
The Preacher Had to March Along.
IT guess you had better come along"
said Lisk, who was getting little tired.
He caught Mr.. Dixon by the coat, but the
preacher, SO Lisk says, broke away and ran
reached the boat. Then the game protector
drew his club and poked the preacher with
it.
Two policemen who had seen the little
scuffle, ran to Lisk's assistance, and Mr.
Dixon gave in. He said he did not know
the gentleman was an officer or he would not
have resisted.
81 am minister" said Mr.. Dixon, "and
I've got meeting at my church tonight.
Can't fix this up with you?'
Officer Lisk said he did not care who he
was, he would have to go along. The col
ored boy had to go along, too. The trio
started for Justice Acker's Office, in New
Brighton, distance of over mile. While
on their way, Mr. Dixon pleaded with the
officer to let him 60, saying he was ignorant
of the game laws He didn't know that anv
bird except a quail was game, and for that
reason he ought to be released
Anxious to Know the Cost
On the way up, according to Lisk, Mr..
Dixon repeatedly asked what the officer
thought it would cost He asked Lisk n OF
to press the charge of resistance, as he was |
q minister, and Lisk softened and said he |
would not.
Justice Acker was not in his Office, so |
carriage was called and the trio were driven |
to the Justices house. The carriage fare |
was 81. Mr.. Dixon only had rs cents, but |
he borrowed 25 cents from the colored boy. |
Justice Acker returned to his Office, and |
Mr.. Dixon was arraigned
When the valise was opened 81 song birds |
were found wrapped up in paper with
three sparrows. There were "a robins, 8
thrushes, 8 sparrows and one yellow wren.
Justice Acker read the law, and said he
would be obliged to fine. Mr.. Dixon S. for
each bird and $40 for shooting on Staten
Island without license.
Mr.. Dixon pleaded hard to be let off, and |
ne seemed to feel so bad that the Justice
lid not impose the $40 fine, and the costs,
to 81 30, were paid by Officer
Lisk-, Mr.. Dixon did not have s155 with
lim, 30 he offered his check. After much
the Justice accepted tn e
,heck.
Wants Some of His Money Back.
Mr. Dixon wanted to know if there was
10 one higher in authority who might give
lin some of the money back. He was re-
erred to Edward P. Dodge, the Secretary
# the Fish Commission. Mr.. Dixon took
lis address and said he would call on Mr.
Dodge. AS he started away Mr.. Dixon
aid: "Can't I take the birds with me,
low?"
Lisk smiled and said he could, but if he
vas caught going on the boat with them he
would surely get the dose repeated.
Don't want them! Don't want themr
reclaimed Mr. Dixon.
After Mr.. Dixon had gone away the
Justice happened to notice the paper
trapped around the birds 1t was SPORT
ng paper, and on the first page was copy
f the game laws.