The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-03-07
cAPToR DONE UP BY CAPTIVE.
4 PLANT SYSTEM DETECTIVE BAD
LY BEATEN AND CUT.

Detective Henry p. stevens, While
Taking a Negro Car Breaker From
Savannah 20 HinesviIIe Knocked
Down and FearfuIIy Cut by His
PrisOner-The Negro Took the De-
tectives watch and Pistol and Es-
capped on His HOrse-Sherin smith
of Liberty County in Pursuit With
a Posse.
Detective Henry Porter Stevens Of the
Plant system was nearly cut 10 death
yesterday morning by a negro prisoner
whom he was carrying 20 jail at Hines
vile. The prisoner escaped. riding the
detectives horse, and is thought 10 be
heading for Savannah.
The negro was arrested by Detective
Stevens on the line Of the road between
Savannah and Mcintosh Thursday on
the charge OF car breaking. The detective
had been on the watch for his man for
some time, and Effected his arrest with
the aid of the section gang. Tae negro
was put on the next train and brought
to Savannah. He was lodged in the po-
lice barracks for safe keeping and spent
the night there. He gave the name Of
James Sanders. Yesterday morning he
was taken out by James Middleton, the
colored detective of the Plant system.
who carried him 10 the depot where he
turned the prisoner over to Detective Ste
vens.
Stevens took the o'clock train for Nc
IntOsh. where he intended to get off to
90 to Hinesville. a short distance in the.
country. The first news OF Stevens in
jury and the escape Of the prisoner, was
the following telegram received by Sergt
Leonard, head OF the Savannah. Florida
and western police, from Sheriff Smith
Of Liberty county:
Sanders. Prisoner escaped on a chestnut
horse taking Stevens pistol. Get mount
ed men to go TO Clyde. / am in pursuit
Sergt. Leonard called on Chief McDer-
mott with the telegram, but the latter
could do nothing, as he has no authority
TO send police out of the city's jurisdiction,
and Clyde is in Bryan county. He as
sured Sergt. Leonard that IL Sanders
reached Savannah he would certainly be
arrested here. Hinesyille dispatch to
the Morning News last night gave an ac-
count of the assault and gave the negro's
name as Joseph Sanford, alias Smith.
Sandtords right hand was handcuffed to
left hand loose.
When they were within a quarter of a
mile Of the jail the negro, who is a
very large and powerful man. suddenly
struck Stevens, which must have dazed
MIN Tor a few seconds, for the negro Sc
STABBED him as above stated, Wounding
him so severely as to render him unable
TO offer resistance. After the negro had
secured the keys and unlocked the cuffs.
he deliberately rified the detectives pock-
cts, carrying on an elegant gold watch
and his pocket book. Two negroes saw the
whole affair at a distance of perhaps 200
yards, but did nothing to prevent it,
The negro had in the meantime tumbled
stevens, who was then unconscious, into
the road and at once drove Off at break
neck speed toward Savannah. ]. NJ Ar
lington, a drummer from Dublin, passed
along just IS Stevens recovered con-
seriousness. Stevens appealed to Airing
ton TO help him to Sheriff Smiths but his
appeal was in vain, for Arlington drove
on without even stopping
Mrs. II. G. Reppard and Mrs. s. E.
Fraser came next in their blackboard, and
without any delay. Stevens was
taken in the blackboard and driven
quickly to Sheriff Smiths, where medical
attention was given him by DR.. A. l.
Henry.
Sheriff Smith and a posse Immediately
started in pursuit of SANFORD. but up to a
late hour nothing had been heard of the
posse or Sanford. DR.. Henry says that
Stevens will recover. The heroines of
the hour are Mrs. Reppard and Mrs
Fraser as every one has a word of praise
for them. They are among the best
known ladies in the county.