The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-03-27

An Exciting Incident in the Pierce
County Courthouse.
Tacoma. March T.-Speciai-J NJ Nor
rissey and c. NJ Barrett. who were ar
rested three months ago on the charge OF
burglary. and who were subsequently dis
charged by Judge Parker for the reason
taat they had been confined in the county
jail ninety days without being tried. were
again arrested. and a second time released
today After they had escaped the law 3
ciutoaes the last time they attempted to
escape from the city although a warranty
charging them with being fugi,ives from
justice had been issued In the municipal
court They were again captured BY the
police. but this time there was such a
scene at the courthouse the like OF which
has never before been recorded in Pierce
county. i,
On Tuesday last Judge Parker ordered
the men released. on the ground that they
had remained in jail the limit Of time pre-
scribed by the statute without a trial.
Morrissey and Barrett were wanted in
Portland. on the charge Of grand larceny
committed last December. On being re-
leased from the equity jail. Detectives
Evans and Ashby took the men into Gus
tody. and they were confined liz the city
prison. This morning a warrant was sworn
out against them. charging them with be-
ing fuxitives from Justice. This was done
that writ Of habeas corpus was TO be ap-
piled for by Attorneys Dennis and Small
ley. Morrissey and Barrett were arraigned
at the morning session Of the municipal
court. and were committed verbally TO the
city jail by Judge Reid. The habeAs cor
pus writ. however was issued by Judge
Parker. returnahie at / o'clock. AT that
hour the prisoners were brought into court.
and then began a verbal battle between
Deputy Prosecuting Attorney @. W. II.
Davis. ON one side. and Attorneys Dennis
and Smaliey on the other.
The argument lasted till o'clock. and
things were going nicely for the state
when the defense raised the contention
that there had been no regular written
commitment issued In the lower court
This point took the state by surprise, and
before the necessary document could be
brought up from the municipal court,
Judge Parker had ordered the men re-
leased.
Then followed an exciting scene Chief
Smith. Capt. Ellis and Detectives Ashby
and Evans had remained In the court room
during the arguments. ready 10 again ar
rest tho men II they were released. A tele-
gram had been received from Gov. Lord.
OF oregon. stating that requisition papers
on Gov. McGraw had been issued for Nor
risssy and Barrett. Capt. Ellis was har-
riediy sent after the commitment. While
the detectives remained In the court room
to look after the men. As soon as the
court had ordered them set free the Of
fcers sought 90 again place them under
arrest Both Attorneys Dennis and Small
ley oppo1ed this move. and With the Judge
on the bench q spectator, the officers ana
the attorneys became engaged in an ex-
citing encounter. Deputy Prosecutor Da-
Wis took a position AT the door. which he
resoiurely held by force. TO prevent the
exit of Morrissey and Barrett. Attorney
Smalley assailed the young assistant to
County Attorney Coiner, with the object
Of forcing open the door to allow the es-
cape Of his clients In the meantime At
torney Dennis. who Ia a six-fooier End
weighs over 300 pounds. corralled the de-
tectiyes so as to prevent them from plac-
ing the men under arrest In an instant
Davis and S;nalley had clinched. and near
" came TO blows. the door few open. and
Morrissey and Barrett dashed out 10 lib
erty, with Chief Smith. Evans and Ashsy
and Officer Mckay In hot pursuit.
Then followed n swift i9-yard dash be-
tween the escapes and the officers. Nor
rissey. who Is pusilist. was chased by
Evans AZ the end Of block the of'i-er.
who was only short distance in the rear
OF the man. called to him that IL he did
not halt he would take a shot at him
MorrIssey quickly turned, there was a
shor, scuffie and then Morrissey throw up
his hands as the detectives big Colt re-
volver was ieveled at his head. 1t re
qulred a showing Of similar force on the
part OF Officcr Mckay to reduce Barrett
to subsection. and the pair were marched
of TO jail. Detective Henry Griffin will ar
rive hero from Portland in the morning TO
take charge OF the prisoners.