The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-02-07
A PRISONER AT HIS HOTEL
A WEALTHY NEW YORKER UNDER
ARREST AT THE DE SOTO.

William Austin Charged by A. ].
Crovatt of Brunswick With Breach
of Contract-Alleged to Save Agreed
to Send the Latter $16,OOO-He
Changed His Mind--Judge Felligant
Issues a Writ a against MIR. austin
and Deputy Sheriff Westcott Makes
Him Prisoner. -
William Austin, an elderly New Yorker
who counts his wealth by hundreds Of
thousands, Is prisoner at the De Soto in
charge of Deputy Sheriff Westcott, and
will be held until he furnishes bond or de-
posts in the custody Of the superior conrt
certain papers which he is charged with
keeping illegally.
The trouble was caused by an alleged
breach of contract. Mr.. a. J. Crovatt Of
Brunswick several months ago arranged for
loan Of $4,000 from MIR. Austin on two
stores in Brunswick. He received IS, 900 In
cash. after which he made out notes aud
mortgages for the full amount with the
understanding that the balance Of SIS, 900
would be forthcoming Dec. l.
The mortgages were recorded, but when
the time came for delivering the $4,000
Mr.. Austin had changed his mind
and decided he would not give up the
money. Then Mr.. Crovatt wanted his
mortgages and notes, but Mr.. Austin denied
having them, despite the fact that the
mortgages had been recorded, Mr.. Crovatt
was put in pretty bad fix by the turn
things had taken. He wanted the money,
and could not raise it from any other source
than Mr.. Austin, because that gentleman
had mortgages on his property.
HAD AUSTIN ARRESTED HERE.
He tried every way to secure a settlements,
but Mr.. Austin would give him no satisfac-
tion about his mortgages or notes except
that his agent in New York might have
them. The New YORKER left Brunswick
few days ago, saying he intended going
home. Mr.. Crovatt followed him to Sa-
vannsh and laid the case before Erwin,
duBignon & Chisholm.
Mr.. duBignon went before Judge Falli-
giant and secured q writ OF ne eleat against
MIR. Austin ordering him either to deposit
the mortgages and notes alleged to be held
by him in the custody of the courG or
furnish bond for any Judgment which
might be found against him. This writ can
be sworn out any time q person has reason
to believe that another intends to leave the
state with his property and carries with it
the right of arrest and confinement IT it's
provisions regarding deposits and bond are
| not complied with.
Deputy Sheriff Westcott served the writ
and Mr.. Austin employed w. X. Leaken,
Esq, to defend him. Being a stranger Mr..
Austin was unable to give bond, and as he
denied having the papers to deposit the
only thing left for him was arrest.
WANTED TO GO TO JAIL
The counsel for Mr.. Crovatt did not care
| to force the old gentleman to iail and offered
instead the proposition that he sign an
agreement to remain in the custody of an
| officer at the hotel until such time as the
matter could be arranged.
| Mr.. Austin said he would go to jail
rather than sign any agreement. Deputy
| Sheriff Westcotb then placed him under ar
rest and escorted him to jail. When be
caught glimpse of the big iron cage in
which he was putting himself MIR. Austin
| changed his mind and remarked: "This
place is not as comfortable as l thought ii
| was; guess I'll sign the agreement Back
| to the hotel the deputy sheriff escorted his
| prisoner and then he signed the agreement
Deputy Westcott took charge Of Mr..
| Austin and is still with him. Every where
he moves the deputy is alongside, and when
| he sleeps it ls under the same guard. He
has sent to New York for his agent, and ex-
poets him to arrive Friday and strai9hten
| out matters SO he can once more breathe
the air of freedom. Unless his agent has
| the missing papers Mr.. Austin will be in
| anything tut nice position.
The return of the papers to Mr. Crovatt,
| however, will not by any means settle mat
| ters MIR. Crovatt feels that Mr.. Austin
| has damaged him in business and otherwis
| by failing to carry out his contract, and
besides suing him for breach of contract, he
| proposes to claim personal damages OF
| S25, 600.