The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-01-17
A CURIOUS PRISONER.
A SUSPECTED MURDERER HELD
FOR IDENTIFICATION.


Detective WetherhOrn Captures Him
IN a Field on the Waters Rosi
Armed With Winchester-HisT Trunk
Filled With Velua5les and Property
Supposed to Have Been Plundered.
he Claims to Eave Been a Preacher
and q Certificate 10 That Effect
Found Among HIS Papers - The
Suspects story.
J. 7. Tillmsn, a negro 6-footer, who
claims Nashville as his home, was arrested
yesterday by Detective Henry Wetherhorn.
assisted by Constable Jones, near the old
chain-gang camp on the Waters road, five
miles from the city. Tillman is the most
puEzling prisoner that Detective Wether-
horn ever had to deal with, and he dubbed
him 'the Chinese puzzle" The Negroes
strange actions got him into trouble, and he
is now in cell 10 the jail.
Tllman says he has been in Savannah
since last June, ard was ordained a preacher
In Charleston not long ago. He had on his
person when arrested certificate TO tkat
effect. He carried 44-ealiber Winchester
with him whenever he went into the field
where be worked, and his strange ways led
us employer 10 LOOK INTO Tue Il6tbcF.
WINCHESTER HIS COMPANION.
No matter where Tillman went he al
ways carried his Winchester. He attracted
q good deal of attention, and the neighbors
began TO fear him. Yesterday bis employer
came to the city TO have the negro arrested
and held for investigation. Detective
Wetherhorn and Constable Jones, arming
themselves with shotguns, went cut Ia
search of Tillman. They found him in
field. and they pretended they we're on the
lookout for game.
Detective Wetherhorn approached the
negro and asked him whether any snipe
could be found in that locality, and as the
negro put bis Winchester on the ground,
Jones covered him with O shotgun and or
dered him TO hold up his hands. The ne
Rro's eyes glared With rage and as be made
a grab ior nls winchester detective
Wetherhorn slipped & pairsof handouts
on his wrists.
ANOTHER VIEW OF THINGS.
As soon as found the handouts securely
locked around his wrist, Tillmans anger
gave way to surprise, and he asked what
was the matter.
Detective Wetherhorn told him he was
wanted on a warrant, and the negro said
all right" A search was made among his
effects ia a small house, In which he lived, on
the field, and the find was q curious and
SANE@NAoAH
lieves that the negro murdered some enc
aud carried Off the articles which were in
the house. The first thing the detective
struck up with was an apparently new
trunk, OF large size and strongly built. On
lifting the lid two gold watches, ono small
and one large one, were found. The
large watch was numbered 15l,77S.
The number of the small
watch could not be .decip hered,
it bearing evidence OF having besn repaired
numerous times Two black Iilk watch
chains. with gold tips. were also found, aud
gold watch charm. upon which was en-
graved Masonic emblem. An insurance
policy issued by the Merchants Insurance
Company OF Newark, N. j., insuriug a
grocery store in Augusta, designated as No.
3, on the east side Of Ninth street. The in
sureuce policy was taken out in
December, 1891, and expired Jan.
IA, 1892. 1t is in the name Of T. ].
Tillman. city license Of the city Of Au-
gusta was also found Ia the name Of Ct L.
Tillman for II. D. r. Kenose" to sell goods
In a store on Campbell street.
CLAIMED TO HAIL FROM AUGUSTA.
Tiiman told Judge Naughtin he had a
store on Campbell street. but did not own
any on Ninth street. His replies to all ques-
lions put to him were extremely evasive
and not much satisfaction could be gotten
out of him after hard test A brand new
hand sachel and fine valise were also
numbered among his effects. The valise
ana sachel contained nothing but loose
paper, and looked like q rather awkward
property for man IN Tillman's position to
carry round.
The trunk contained a fine suit of cloth
ing, hat and an old pair OF boots which ap-
peared to be hand made. A certificate of
stock issued by the Equitable Building and
Loan Association standing in the name of
j. z. Itllman was found, and stock book
or the same company.
ALL SORTS OF LToRIKs.
Tillman gave very conflicting statements
about the articles. and looked like man who
had never made enough money to purchase
such stuff. The most curious f1rd was in
the shape Of book on physics and How
TO lake Care Of the Health" and a bound
copy of pilgrim Progress" There was
also set of ledgers, etc. with the name J.
q. Tlllman printed in and on the covers
and lot OF receipted bills. Tillman told
Justice Naughten that his mother. father
and all his relations were dead, and that he
was travelling man." A receipt from
the Central Tennessee College for 81 in the
name Of John Tillmand," was also found
in the trunks.
Detective Wetherhorn thinks Tillman Is
wanted in South Carolina, and he will be
held until something definite can be learned
OF him. be is a copper taaned negro.
about 80 Years OF age, feet high and
weighs in the neighborhood Of IT'S.
a PROPOSITION TO TaE CITY.