The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-07-23
TO BRING ABE SMALL BACK.
CHIEF M-DERMOTT AND DETECTIVE
WETHERHORN GONE AFTER
HIM.


nissioners TO Determine whether
the County should Bear the EN-
pense OF the Trip-Chief McDermott
and Mayor Myers Before the Hoard.
CommfssiOncr Charlton CharG -
the Chief With DiscOurtesy-The
County Wanted TO send Its own
Omccr.
Chief OF Police AIcDermott left last
night at 1880 o'clock for Baltimore. where
he goes 10 take charge OF Abe small and
bring him back TO savannah. There viii
be no trouble about the delivery of Small
by the Baltimore authorities. as tele-
gram received by Chief NcDermott yes
terday morning from Marshal Frey re-
quested him TO come al once with a re-
QUESTION Chief McDermott VIII return
with his prisoner Friday. Saturday. or
Sunday What day or what hour he viii
arrive. or what route he viii take will
not be announced. the intention being
10 slip Small in quietly.
Detective Wetherhorn will accompany
Chief McDermott on his trip. his eX-
peuses being paid by the city. Mayor
Myers thought it best not TO take any
chances with a desperate criminal like
Small. The trip is one OF from eighteen
70 twenty-f0ur hours duration. according
10 the route taken. and it would be rather
trying on one man 10 have 10 keep watch
on the prisoner for the entire time. De
tective Wetherhorn has taken a great
deal Of interest ia the case from the mo
ment OF Smalrs crime, and it is nothing
more than right that he should be given
an opportunity to assist in returning the
man to the city. il there is any honor OF
pleasure in the work. as some people seem
10 think there is.
There was a little clash between the
county and the city authorities as to
which should send TO Baltimore for Small.
.Applica tion was made 70 the commits
siOners by Solicitor General W W. Fraser
for expenses for two men TO SO TO Balti-
more to bring back the murderer for
trial. The city authorities naturally
wanted to bring the culprit back, while
the county commissioners seemed TO
think that If they paid the expenses out
OF the county funds they should send
Detective Morgan, who is in their en-
ploy, and who is responsible to thcm, and
that state Of affairs was what the whole
discussion hinged on before the com
nisioneFs.
The meeting was called at ! o'clock
when Chairman Dale stated that the
meeting was held TO consider and act on
a proposition made the day before by So
licitor General Fraser that the county APP
propriate $50 for the purpose of bringing
Small back for trial The day before be-
ing Sunday, however, Mr.. Dale said IL
was hardly feasible TO carry II out then
The solicitor general then stated that
the matter had been reported 10 him the
day before, but that ne had waited until
Monday TO act upon It and 10 prepare the
necessary papers. 1t appeared TO him. he
eaid, that the criminal should be brought
back at the expense of the county. He
stated that II was the primary duty Of the
couny TO see that criminals were brought
back for trial He thought the reward
offered by Gov. Northen had been re-
voked but II there was any claim TO be
made against the reward offered by the
city, he thought the county should first
see that Small was brought back and then
put in the claim.
There was then some inquiry as TO wnetn-
er the reward offered did not mean for the
delivery of the prisoner TO the sheriff of
the county. Mr. Dale suggested that the
authorities in Maryland to deliver Small
TO them simply on requisition from the
governor. Mr.. Fraser said that OF course
a showing would have TO be made, but
that the officers of the law could under no
circumstances refuse 10 deliver the prison
er II the requisition was honOred by the
governor of Maryland.
You say it is our duty 10 bring him back
under the law" Chairman Dale said.
What do you think about it, Mr. Attor-
ney?"
Where it is a serious crime" Mr.. Saus-
ey replied, Il don't think there Is any
question about it at all. The expenses Of
the courts and the legitimate expenses Of
the law should be paid by the county. |
have never found any act on the subject
which requires the commissioners to do
so and so in such cases. 1t is matter
which is within their discretion but there
Is no question as TO what they should do
in case like this 50 far as the law is con-
cerned''
Then who gets the reward?' Chairman
Dale asked
We might call the attention of the city
TO the matter and ask that the expenses
be taken out Of the reward" Mr. Saussy
replied, but there Is no way TO prevent
the payment Of the reward to parties Sc
curing the criminal, for they might say
they could have brought him back had
IHey Deen allowed.
Il have never found any law bearing
directly on the subject" Mr.. Fraser said.
The county is not authorized to issue
rewards for the capture of criminals. but
IS l think clearly authorized 10 pay the
legitimate expenses OF securing them for
trial"
Just then the question of the reward
was settled in part, at least so far as the
delivery of the prisoner by the MARYLAND
authorities was concerned. Chief of Po-
lice McDermott had just received a tele-
gram from Marshal Jacob Frey of Balti-
more, saying Small will be delivered TO
you upon requisition. Send for him" That.
however, settled only a small part of the
discussion.
why should two men 90 TO bring one
back"' Chairman Dale asked. Mr.. Fraser
had asked for $50 in order to send two
men on for Small.
Small is desperate character" Chief
McDermott stated, and l would not like
TO trust bringing him back. 10 Wilson.
the negro who was sent on to identity
him."
1T is rather expensive to send two
men unless it is necessary" Chairman
Dale said.
Commissioner Charlton had Detective
NTOrpafa sent for AT this