The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-08-21
METZGAR IN JAIL.
Bowman's Alleged Accomplice Il behina
the Bars for ScOvalrs Murder.


the Bars for ScOvalrs Murder.
George Mstzgar, the young man who
IS charged with the murder OF the
Arabian peddler, John NJ. Scovall. at the
red bridge, about fourteen months ago,
and who has been at large ever since.
was captured ut Mauch Chunk on Mon
day night last, and was brought to this
city at 10 O'Clock yesterday morning
and taken to the county jail. Metzsar
Is a physical wreck, and looks as II ne
had suffered undescribed fortunes since
he went away from Wifkes-barre. ne
does not seem to realize his own condi-
tion, or for what he Is wanted. and for
awhile, h was Thought tfat his reason
has been affected. Metzgar Is evidently
in the first stages Of a general break
down, physically and mentally. ana
many who saw him. Thought that unless
the best Of care was given him, he would
never fve to stand trial.
Nfetzgar was arrested at Mauch
Chunk. by Constable Lauth. who. with
the officers from this city, brought the
criminal to Wflkes-Barre yesterday. ana
who viii claim the reward offered for
Metzgar>s apprehension. He knew
Met1gar from the description and pho
tograph. and had no difficulty in arrest
ang him. High Constable Charles
Bauer, who arrested Bowman, and who
has devoted considerable time to the
case went to Mauch Chunk early yes
serday morning. and accompanied by
Officer Evans, brought Metzgar to this
CITY.
When the train arrived big crowd
had assembled at the depot. and this
mob followed the officers through the
streets to Alderman Thomas office,
where the culprit was given q prelimin-
ary bearing. Attorney T. II. Martin.
who represented Bowman, at his trial.
has also been retained for Metzgar, and
he came to the alderman's office ac-
companied by the young mans mother.
who was much affected when she saw
the wreck Of her son. Metzgar looked
at his mother and did not seem to realize
who she was and she burst into tears
ait his appearance.
The hearing was short. Squire Thomas
read the warrant charging the boy with
the murder OF the Ara bian. Col. Martin
said mot guilty" when the boy was
asked what he had to say. The Colonel
pleaded for a stay of the hearing be-
cause neither the defendants or the
commonwealth We're in a position for
a hearing. So the squire committed
Metzgar TO Jail for another hearing.
The young man was taken at once to
the jail, and was told by Colonel Martin
not to say a word about the murder to
anyone. W. p. Bowman, who Is now
under sentence of death for the same
crime, was told by Colonel Martin not
to talk. MetZgar was asked where he
had been since he left here, and gave
disconnected account Of going from
here to Philadelphia, then out to
Youngstown. o., where he worked In
boiler shop three months. The rest of
his time has been spent in wandering
about tho ua In WillSaS-
Barre three days ago. but did not go
near his home, and only spent q few
hours in town for fear of capture. He
had only been in Mauch Chunk one day
when arrested. He was searched in the
Office and only an old razor, shaving
brush and razor strop were found on his
person. Metzger was poorly dressed.
his clothing plainly show hunted
life he led. He only wo shirt. a
black cotton one. old bNL11bat and
pantaloons, slouch hat and well-worn
shoes.
There was somewhat Of a wrangle
over the boy at the Jail, as Constable
Lauth expected that the reward offered
for MetZger would be paid him at once
and refused to give him up to Warden
Boland until compelled to do so. Bow
man. Metzgar's accomplice in the muir
der. was very much struck with the
worn anu wasted appearance OF the
man, and said: well. II that Is Metz
gar. wouldn't have known him on the
street" Metzgar gave no sign Of recog-
milton when he passed the cell Of Bow
man. DR.. Kirwan was telephoned for,
and found Metzgar In a terrible condi-
ton. Warden Boland sent out and had
a good meal brought in, which MetZgar
ate with great relish.
The crime for which George Metzgar
Is now under arrest and for which Will
lam Penn Bowman Is now under SEN
tence Of death, was the shooting Of
John Mike Scovall, an inoffensive
Arabian peddler, near the red bridge.
At his trial Bowman made a confess
sion, admitting his own presence, but
claiming that Metzgar fred the fatal ]
shot. The evidence at the time proved
that the larger man fired the pistol, but
on the trial OF Bowman the Arabian
who accompanied the murdered man,
swore positively that Bowman was the
man, and he was forthwith convicted.
The arrest and trial Of Metzgar may
change the fate Of Bowman.