The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-10-18
SMITH BROUGHT BACK.
Prefers Jail in Savannah to Liberty
Anywhere Else.

m hhOlO LAoO'
Smith Grows Reminiscent on the Way
to the Jail-He Was in Cherokee
Strip When 1t Was Opened, But
Failed to Stake a Claim-Came Home
Voluntarily and Without Requisi-
tion-Refused to Say Anything
About the Charges Against Him,
but he Has Admitted to Sheriff Will
liford That He Took Part of the
Money.
B. F. Smith, charged with the embez-
element of 81, 200 from the Brush Elec-
trio Light Company last May, arrived in
the city last night via the Central at 30,
in charge of Sheriff J. w. Williford of
Upshur county, Texas, entirely penniless,
but with about 81, 700 or more worth of
experience.
Detective Wetherhorn, who is RESPONSE
BILE for Smiths apprehension, Officer Lii
enthal and Supt. Keck of the Brush Com
pany, were 1T the depot sometime before
the train arrived to meet the prisoner
and escort him to Jail.
AS he got off the train with the sheriff
he was greeted by Mr.. Keck with
Hello, Smith how are yOuW
An right" replied Smith "but
pretty tired, and glad to get back to Sa-
vannah again"
TELLS ABOUT HIS TRAVELS.
Smith was not handcuffed, but came
all the way with Sheriff Williford volun-
tarily, and made no effort whatever to
escape. He was taken from the depot
right down to the Jail by Detective Weth-
a1sbo and no oh n
Soto.
AS he walked down to the Jail Smith
grew reminiscent. He told the officers
about his travels and said that after leav-
ing here he went straight to New Or
leans, from where he went on to Texas.
He stopped awhile in Houston and then
went to Ell Paso. From there he went to
Paso del Norte, as he said, just to get a
glimpse of Mexico, and then came back
through Texas and went out to Seattle,
Washington. He didn't like that country
much, however, and soon came back to
Texas, which he seemed to think a more
congenial cline. He was first located by
Detective WetherhOrn not many miles
from the place at which he was caught.
DIDN'T STAKE A CLAIM.
While relating his story Smith said he
had been out in the Cherokee strip when
it was opened up to the settlers and had
oCCI Vic uCtAUu anu uCSbIQCOlOu WITH
which the thrush was attended.
Did you stake off claim2" asked one
of the officers.
Smith said he didn't have the fortune
to find one available. He was asked what
he had to say as to the charges against
him. and replied:
You can just say that I am here, and
would have been here long ago if had
had the money to Gomez
When QupgtiOOpd clOGplV t0 10
charges against him he was reticent and
would say nothing. He said he would
make no statement for publication until
after he had seen Mr.. Hamilton. He had
made statement, however, to Sheriff
Williford before his arrival, which is
practical admission that he is guilty, in
part, at least, of the charges against him
He admitted to the sheriff before his ar
rival that he had taken part of the
money, but denied that he had taken ali
that had been charged against him. If
Smith didn't take it all the question arises
as to where the rest went.
CAUGHT WHILE AT WORK ON A HoUsEToP.
Smith was caught by Sheriff Williford
while working on housetOp. He was
working as carpenter putting on shin
giles, and trying to make living, as his
money had run out. Armed with the de-
scrlption sent by Detective WetherhOrn,
Sheriff Williford had first gone to Big
Sandy to hunt Smith, but afterwards
learned that he was in Gilmer
He found him working on the house,
and approached him with the statement
that he wanted him, and told him what
for. Smith at first denied that he was
the man wanted, but he was arrested
nevertheless and taken to the Jail. 1t
was not long before he confessed that he
was the man wanted and stated that he
had desired to return to Savannah and
would have done so before if he had had
the money He readily agreed to como
back without a requisition, and last Sat
urday night he left for home again in COM
pany with the sheriff
TRAVELLED 1,400 MILES.
Sheriff Williford and his prisoner have
had a long trip of it, coming over 400
miles. They were well worn out when
they arrived, and as he approached the
Jail last night Smith remarked, 'Pd
rather be in jail. in Savannah than at
liberty in any other part of the country"
He said he was glad to get back, whether
he was or not.
Sheriff Williford went to the DeSoto
last night. He will receive $3.50 this
morning, $50 for capturing Smith, and
5000 for bringing him to Savannah, which
includes his expenses. He will probably
return TO Gilmer tonight or tomorrow
morning.
ls,r-A L.