The Wichita daily eagle., 1894-01-28
SUED THE SHERIFF
YATES CENTER OFFICERS GIVEN A
CHANCE TO PROVE CLAIMS
Conductor Hayden Brings Formal
Suit in the District Court For
the Clyde Mattox Reward.
Judge Reed VIII De-
eide the Matter.
Sheriff Ben RoYse has been sued.

Sheriff Ben Royse has been sued.
The plaintiff in the case is Conductor
Steve Hayden of the Missouri Pacific road
1t is not often that man likes TO be
sued, but this is an exception. Sheriff
Rovse is glad of it, for he will not then be
put to the embarrassment Of choosing be-
tween the parties to the controversy as to
which OF them are entitled to the reward.
| In fact il is understood that the sheriff
agreed with Mr.. Hayden when the latter
proposed to bring the suit.
Upon the court being informed of the
suit he Immediately issued an order
directed to Marshal Canady and Deputy
Sheriff Coulter of Yates Center. to appear
and present and make good their claim.
The suit has developed out of the Clyde
Mattox escape from the county Jail. When
Mattox escaped Sheriff Royse at once
offered a reward Of $500 for his
recapture The next day Con-
ductor Steve Hayden was going
east on his regular trip to Fort
Scott and upon being informed that Mat
tox had escaped he decided to be on the
lookout for him. Reaching what is known
as the east yards at FL Dorado Mattox got
on the train and Immediately Mr.. Hayden
detected him and informed Judge Clark
of Ottawa of the fact. He could not do
anything toward arresting him on the
train as Mattox was armed and besides
he had small mirror by which be could
detect every movement made behind him.
Mr.. Hayden knew this and had to exercise
caution so that Mattox would not suspect
that he was detected. To be sure of his
ian he quietly called the attention of a
Mr.. Pritchard towards him who at once
recognized him. Mr.. Haden then tele-
graphed to Sheriff Royse and also to
Superintendent Harding and MIR. Royse
in return telegraphed to the deputy sheriff
Of Yates Ceuter to arrest him, which was
done when the train arrived there. In
making the arrest the deputy sheriff was
assisted by City Marshall Cannady.
That night Sheriff Royse and party of
officers went to Yates Center for the prs-
oner and the officers CT that place, hereto
fore referred to, refused to give him up
without getting the reward. He being
United States prisoner. one of the officers
who W ent from here being a United States
officer, demanded the prisoner and the de-
mand was acceeded to. The Yates Center
officers, however, insisted on coming to
Wichita and when they arrived here they
demanded the reward, but Mr.. Hayden in
sisted that lie was the one entitled to it.
The others then served notice on Sheriff
Royse not to pay Mr.. Hayden the reward
and hence the suit. Mr.. Pritchard also
claimed the reward on the ground that he
was the man who positively identified
MattoX. but since then he has waived all
claim to the reward in favor of Conductor
Hayden.
THE GENERAL OPINION.
1t seems to be the opinion of everybody
that Mr.. Hayden is justly entitled to the
reward. Judge Clark of Ottawa, who was
on the train at the Identification says that
Hayden is entitled to it, not only in law
but in equity, as there is no question that
but for him MattOX would get beyond the
reach of the officers, and perhaps would
never be captured. This is al
so understood to be the view
Judge Williams of the district court and
United States Attorney Perry took of it.
As officers. the Yates Center men are en-
titled to their fees for making the arrest
and that is ALL" said we'll sted local
attorney yesterday. II hope Hayden will
get it, as l think that he is entitled to it,"
Sheriff Royse said yesterday: Yes,
have been sued for the reward and l am
glad of it. l have the money ready to pay
over and will cheerfuliy and willingly do
so when the court decides to whom the |
reward belongs. / don't want to make
mistake and don't care to take any
chances myself in giving the reward while
there is such controversy over il. My |
policy is TO be careful and cautious in dis |
pensing the duties of my Office