Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-11-21
Hunting for Jack, the Policemen
Find a Queer Lot.
A MORNING RAID ON THE FLATS.
Oens Where Knights Of the Road
Have Found Rest.
A HUNT IN THE THICkET

and thus far they have followed every clue
until they have exploded it and Swallowed
every suspected person until they either
made an arrest or reached the conclusion
that they were on the wrong track. The
latest clue of any Importance was thorough
ly investigated at an early hour this morn
ing by detectives, policemen and a Star
reporter.
The Potomac flats in the vicinity of the
Long bridge have always been a noted
stopping place for tramps. especially dur
ing the summer time. There is also a place
on the flats where the knights of the road
can find shelter even in severe weather.
Out there on the flats men of both colors
have been stopping. and in investiga ting the
latest clue the officers paid visit to that
place this morning.
Detectives Weldon, Lacy. Boardman and
Quinlan made the necessary arrangements
and had Lieut.. Vernon of the fourth pre-
cinct make a detail of half a dozen officers
to go with them. At 430 o. clock the raid
ing party assembled in the little watch box
of the railroad company and sat around
the fire in a little stove.
When all the officers had reported a start
was made to reach the flats. Some distance
from the causeway there was a camp fire
which could be seen from this end of the
officers had an idea they would find at least
one of the men who has been helping along
the work of terrorizing so many persons
about the citv.
Following along the rough pathway the
party neared the fire. The flames were
hidden from view by the wall of sticks,
weeds, pieces of boards and various other
materials that had been constructed to
break the cold north wind and make the
little camp as comfortable possible. Pres
emily the officers heard the sound of voices
and the party then divided in order to pro-
tect either end of the rudely constructed
affair and prevent the escape of the tramps
or thieves who were ENJOYING the warmth
of the fire.
An Alarm.
But with all the care taken by the officers
they could not prevent the cracking noises
made by the breaking of sticks under their
feet, and by the rustling of the underbrush
through which it was necessary to pass in
order to reach the camp.
Suddenly man rushed through the thick
ct. 1t was one of the tramDs, who had
been alarmed by the sound of the approach
ing footsteps. He was the only one. how
ever, who made any attempt to escape, for
when Policeman Fathers reached the camp
and covered the crowd with his pistol one
of them remarked: We amt goin' ter run.
There was not a loud word uttered while
all this was being DONE for II was known
where the tramps held forth, and there
were apparently no crooks in this particu-
lar place. Leaving couple of officers in
charge of this party, the rest of the little
force started out in search of larger game,
but they soon returned empty handed. Then
one of the colored men in the camp volun-
teered to pilot the officers to the other
sleeping and hiding place of his road com
paniOnS. 1t was then some time before
daybreak. and in the darkness it was i'm
possible to find the road and the footpaths.
For awhile it appeared though the guide
had in mind an idea to lead the men
through the thickest of the underground
and then attempt to escape. but after a few
minutes the place for which the officers
were looking was found.
A Secret Hut.
There was no fire near it, nor was there
any positive evidence of it's having been
occupied last night. Although much small
er than the first place found, it was much
more comfortable. having a weather-proof
roof of pieces of tin and canvas, as well as
some woodwork. and the rear. which was
to the north. and the two sides were also
able to keep off the cold wind from the
Washington channel. In this little hut the
ground was covered with pieces of mating
and oilcloth. and tin pans covered with hay
were about the sides for use pillows
On large tin box that had been smoked
by camp fire was written:
will meet on the corner tonight"
The writing was done with a piece of
chalk and had evidently been done yester-
day.
1t was explained by the colored guide
from the party found in the first camp
that three white men had been about this
hut one of them being a deaf and dumb
man. but he had not seen them there last
night.
The Prisoners.
Failing to find any more strangers occu-
plying beds on the flats the members of
the raiding party returned to the camp
where the tramps were in waiting Six
colored and two white men were among
them. The White men remained asleep
some time after the party was placed I'M
der arrest. but the colored men sat there
and chatted about themselves and Jack
the Slasher"
The way of the transgressor is hard
was the remark of a colored man who was
frank enough to admit that he thought he
was going to remain i'll his quarters there
all winter.
Another told of his coming here from the
north and of his experience in Dover Del
where he said he stopped and asked for
something to eat.
"A lady came out with a pistol in her
hand, he said, and told me not to pass
through the gate. You bet / didn't make
a move, but L got plenty to eat
Another member Of the party a colored
hunchback, said he was from the west
but he did not intend to tell what part of the
/ west.
I'm on my uppers just now" he said
In the spring l had money, but | spent
I II and now that I'm busted / am not going
| 10 tell anything about myself"
IN the meanwhile the two white men had
| been aroused and several of the colored
men were anxious to champion the cause of
one of them.
They insisted that their white friend was
| innocent and wanted him released but as
/ the officers could not hold court he Jared
the fate of the seven others.
! There was one colOred man in the party
VINO claimed to live here. He said he had
! been working at the bureau of engraving
| and printing: that he had been to a turn
around across the river and had STONED
| 10 warm himself and remain until day-
| break.
| Taken tn the Lookup.
| Being satisfied that they could find no
| more game the officers got the eight men in
line and marched them to the patrol box a
short distance this side of the bridge, from
| where they were driven TO the station
| Some articles of old clothing in the camp
We're brought along with the prisoners, al
though they all denied ownership.
/ Some of the men wore two pairs of
| trousers or two coats. and the old garments
/ found there had evidently been discarded
/ by others, who had stolen or begged a
I change of clothing
| In the Police Court
| This morning in the Police Court the