The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-11-12
Wild Chase Through Many
Streets Followed.
Other Policemen Joined In Pursuit
and Employed Team.
Fleet Footed Colored Man Was Not to
BE Caught, and Is Still at Large.

There is, or at least was this morning.
colored man in the city who can lay
claim to the title of being an Al rprinter.
He led number OF detectives and police
men lively chase for two miles, and at
last disappeared as completely a. IL he
had sank into the earth and pulled the
hole in after him.
The fun, for fun 1t was for all except
the colored fellow and the members OF
the police department, began at jnst 9:37
O'Clock, for at that time the coIored
man stepped out OF the door OF the Hub
Loan Company at the corner of Dorrance
and Fulton streets. As he did so he saw
Detective Merrill stepping up from the
roadway of Fulton street to the curb
stone. Then the colored man started
like deer along the west side Of Dor
rance street to Westminster street, then
through the alley between the Hotel Dor
rance and the Howard building and
shot by the city hall like fash. into
Washington street. When he went by
the city hall the crowd attracted the at
tention of the corps OF local newspaper
men. and they with detective Cannon
rushed through the city hall and out on
Washington street, where they joined
the chase. BY this time there were at
Least 1000 persons following the fugitive.
and now ano then some one would shout
"Stop, thief" but no one stopped him,
All OF this time the colored man was
going at rapid rate up Washington
street to Union throughWorcester, Glenn
ence and Mathewson streets.
At this point Detective Cannon showed
signs of being winded, so he hailed q
man who was riding along in a light
carriage. The man good naturedly took
the detective in. and whipped up his
morse, and then Detective Cannon began
to think that be was going to catch the
coIcred fellow.
But the colored fellow had no idea of
being captured for he was peggine away
for dear life through Fountain, Sabin,
Aborn streets. Atwell, avonue, Hicks,
Aborn, West Exchange, and when near
the vicinity of Wyth's storenouses he
disappeared from view.
Que ca eEo incidents Of the chase was
when patrolman Costigan Jumped into
the rear end Of the light carriage ir
which Detective Cannon was riding. Ths
carriage was not built for two but when
these two heavyweights got into the
vehicle II would have been just as COM
Portable to ride on hay cart for the
axels we're set, and the nois. made could
be heard for blocks.
Detective Merrill Is somewhat surprised
that anyone should get away from him.
for he IL something OF q sprinter himself,
but this time he willingly admits that
the colored man can give him points In
running. and then beat him out.
Business and work in all the shops ard
dwelling houses along the route were
practically suspended, many leaving their
benches and homes o join in the chase.
At the corner of West Exchange and
Aborn, the colored man made misstep,
and came near falling TO the ground. and
within 10 feet OF him we're three men. Al
he was plunging, tho mems faces would
indicate thar they had him sure, but ell
at once, the fleeing man Strengthened up,
and began to run faster than ever, and In
less than three minutes after this little
incident he was nowhere 10 he seen.
Nearly everyone along the line wanted
to know why he was wanted, somo said
that no was a murderer, others said that
he had committed highway robbery ia
front OF the j. n. Bsrnaby Company
store, and some had IL that no hsf
stolen n valuable package Of jewelry fren
one of Earle & Prews' express wagons.
None of these versions proved 10 tie ror-
rect. for one or two OF the nowsfottr
men who were IN the chsse from fiff
hall 10 where the man disaprf
found that ne had pawncd vel atln
gold hunting case wet Oh and had ciffu
MS name Ga harry Williams, white. ~
years old. and his residence a. q A. fcr-
son street. This may De his name. f1t
IL Goes not appear IN the oircctcry, rtr
il there any Anderson street IN the cist.
Tne fact that he started on the run .wncfs
he saw Detective Merrill. II conc'srivs
evidence that no 10 no stranger In ths
cit,, and the manager a. the loan otfies
said that tho fellow had betD af that
place before, aud had plenty Of mopey.
The detectives think th/t this will Be .
tsgood catcht hut they have n YEA n