Bridgeton pioneer., 1894-08-02
A SERIOUS OUTRAGE.

Michael GersOn Could Not be
Held tor the Fox Robbery,
and Is Discharged.
The arrest of Michael Gerson, a
younger brother of Simon Gerson, was
an outrage, the perpetration of which
Is unexplaina5le. His discharge was
an act of justice, In line with the evil
dence produced, ar d credit to JUS
tice Davis, who 8 IT In the case.
The arrest Of. the young man was
without warran' Of law, and entirely
uncalled for. Not one suspicion point
ed to him; nothing could be proven,
and the result shove 1.-THE utter incapa-
bility of the detec i've upon the case.
The detective, SO called, is named
Chase. To arrest man as he did and
produce him In Court, was the act of
a man who kaows little OF courts
or criminals. the man is attached
to any reputable agency, that institu.
ton would be doing itself credit to call
him home and get him a position driv.
ing dray.
The detective was employed. He
was of course paid something. Evil
dently he thought he must earn his
money. He cast his drag net far and
wide, and then dragged In young Ger
son.
The arrest of Gerson occurred last
week. The hearing was set down for
Monday afternoon. The evidence
was ludicrous. There was not scin-
tilla pointing even the finger of sus-
picion to Gerson. Not one person
identified him. In all that part of the
country there was not one who could
say they saw him here on or about the
time of the robbery. There was not
particle of evidence that he had ever
been In the vicinity of the Fox house.
There was no evidence that Gerson
even had an opportunity of commit
ting the crime.
The detective must be a very able
sleauth hound. If he, as an experienced
man, had Carson arrested, he should
have had some evidence. Why did
he not produce the evidence before
the court? Why did he not go upon
the stand and tell why he caused the
arrest of the young man. The state
was utterly lacking. 1t was Without
a pin to stand upon. Il was pitiful in
its extreme weakness. 1t was even
ludicious.
On the other hand the defendant
never cringed. There was no apparent
weakness in his position. He came
before the court without fear, know
ing his innocence and confident that
he could show 1t. He was fine look.
ing young fellow, intelligent, bright
and gentlemanly. He came here from
Philadelphia with reputation to be
proud of. For years he had been en-
ployed as cutter for John Wana-
maker. He was far removed from the
class of thugs and thieves that COM
mitted the crime at Friendship. He
brought with him reputable witnesses.
He showed his associations. He had
a record and it did not suffer when
1t was brought forth into the light.
Charged with the crime he brought
perfect defense-an alibi. Not one
built upon suspicious foundations, but
rather, one that could not be shaken.
He showed beyond shadow of
doubt that he was In Baltimore the
day before the robbery, and was there
for five days after. The proof was un.
asailable and convinced all who heard
1t,
The Court was convinced. Justice
Davis did not hesitate a minute. He
discharged the young man, declaring
that there was not a particle of evi.
dence In the case to cause him to hold
the young man.
Then there was applause. The
young man was congratulated. The
people could not help 1t; they believed
In his innocence; they saw his inno-
cence proven, and could not desist to
show their happiness at the decision
of the court.
The young man Gerson left the
Court room unscathed. There was no
stain on his reputation. The would
be detective SUNK out, and will proba-
bly, return TO Philadelphia. One thing
Is quite certain, his usefulness in this
community Is ended, and the prosecu.
ton In this case stands in disfavor, and
so 1t should.
Everybody would be glad to learn
OF the thieves.who robbed the old ladies
being caught, but innocent men
should not suffer at the hands of in
competent or unscrupulouse detec.
tives,