St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-11-26
SHEEDY WAS SLIPPERY.
AND so WERE SOME NORTHERN MLv-
RES0TA COUNTY Officials. =
MICHIGAN BURGLAR CAUGHT.

Who Procures Release by Habeas
Corpus Proceedings Before the
Wolverine Sheriff ConId Reach
the Spot-Thc Prosecuting At
torney Appears as Counsel for
the Prisoner. vol
Sheriff T. B.Catlin, of Iron Mountain,
Dickinson county, Mich, arrived in st.
Paul yesterday on his return from
Brainerd. Mimi, whittier he went sew
eral days ago in quest of man whose
presence is very much desired by the
officials at Iron Mountain. The man
was no less person than Dan. alias
Jack Sheedy, who has achieved repu-.
tation iii the northern part of this and
the Wolverine state as a prize fighter.
trainer and crook. But the sheriff,
much as he desired to meet Sheedy, was
doomed to disappointment. and, as re-
suit, is not brimmng over with love for
the Minnesota officials. This is the
story told by Sheriff Catlin to repre-
sentative of the GLOBE:
On the 14th of November a safe at
Waucedah, Mich, was cracked in a
scientific manner. and its contents, con-
sisting OF s., 700 in good cash. distracted.
Suspicion fell upon Sheedy, who had
been i'll that vicinity, and, after some
investigation by the authorities. the
suspicion became conviction. But the
bird had flown, and his whereabouts
could not be ascertained for time. He
was finally located at Brainerd by
means of circular describing him,
which found its way into the hands OF
the authorities there He was arrested
on the 22d inst. and a telegram dis
patched to Sheriff Catlin informing him
of the fact. Mr.. Catlin answered i'm
medately directing his detention till he
could reach the Minnesota city. His
dispatch was received at Brainerd at 3
O'clock p. m. of the day of his arrest.
But the authorities at Brainerd do not
always respect such instructions. Be
fore Sheriff Catlin could reach that city
by the shortest route and the Speediest
conveyance Sheedy was non est coma
tamus. as the lawyers say. After re-
celpt of Mr.. Catin'S telegram Sheedy
was taken from jail by virtue of writ
of habeas corpus drawn up by the dis
trict attorney and served upon the sher-
if by the coroner. AT O'Clock in the
evening a hearing was had before the
circuit court commissioner in the pres
ence of the sheriff and prosecuting at
torney, and, on motion of the latter the
prisoner was set free. At the time of his
arrest he had S1,925 on his person. and
this had been taken from him and de-
posted in he bank. MIR. Catlin alleges
that previous to the disch arge of the
prisoner the district attorney had come
to all officer of the bank. and. procuring
the money, handed it over to Sheedy.
Mr.. Sheedy once free did not allow
the grass to grow under his feet. He
was something of Il sprinter.and at once
started for the rural districts. He
walked six miles to farm house, and
induced the farmer, named Nichols. by
a liberal payment, to drive him to Little
Falls, where he took train at O'Clock
on Thursday morning last, since which
time he has not been seen.
Sheriff Catlin was not In a pleasant
frame Of mind when he reached Brain
erd and learned these facts. He pro-
tested that such a procedure was not
according to Hoyle or any of the other
recognized legal authorities, but was
told that that was the way they did at
Brainerd. He procured all the docu-
mentary evidence that was available,
which consisted simply of the formal
record in The habeaS corpus proceed
ing; and, buttoning his buffalo overcoat
under his chin. he took an early train
for st. Paul, arriving here, as stated,
yesterday morning. -a.
The sheriff. however, had some curl
osIty to crafty. He wanted to know if
such shames were common in Minnie
sota-If it was customary for prose-
cutting officer OF a county to act as coun-
sci for person accused of crime, and
procure his release by habeaS corpus
proceedings served at his instance, and
heard before court commission i'll the
| dead of night. He ascertained that
such proceedings were not uSual-that,
in fact. the judicial officers of the state
frowned upon them. He visited the
| governors office and laid the facts be-
tore that official. who promised to make
an investigation at an early day
In the meantime Jack Sheedy, the
! pugliStic trainer, crook, and alleged
| burglar, is at large and enjoying the
| fruits of the money he is alleged to have
| stolen from Waucedah. He it was who
trained Fitzpatrick for his fstic en-
counter with McElroy, and he was I'M
| der contract to put another prize fighter
through course of sprouts for match
| which was to have come off at Brainerd
in the course Of the next two weeks.
Perhaps he will keep his engagement,
! but if he does Sheriff Catln may put in
an appearance.
The entire transaction as related by
Mr.. Catln looks extremely bad for the
officials at Bralnerd. Perhaps they may
be able to satisfy the governor that their
conduct was proper. They certainly
should be called upon to make answer
to the charges OF the Michigan officer,
who bears high character, and declares
his ability to substantiate each and every
charge made by him. 1t is natural that
ne should feel chagrined at the failure
of his mission to Brainerd, but as he is
III no way responsible for it he returns
home without fear of public condemna-
ton.