The San Francisco call., 1897-10-04
Vain Search Of Deputy
Sheriiffffs for the Miss
ing Kasson.
PRISONERS FLIGHT UNCHECKED.
Sheriff Whelan Thinks He Was
Led Astray by His Great
Thirst.
BELIEVED TO BIZ STILL IN THE CITY.
The Missing Mans Wife SCOTS at the
Story of His Having Been
Left a Fortune.

Where is w. T. Kasson? A half score
OF deputy sherlffs are securing the high
ways and byways of the City for the pIis-
oner who cleverly escaped from Deputy
Ike Grosenger last Saturday afternoon,
but so far no trace of him has been found.
Sheriff Wheian is deeply chagrined over
the escape and has suspended Grosenger
pending an investigation The Sheriff, as
soon as he was notified of the affair Satur-
day night, took personal charge of the
searching party and continued on the
WORK all dav yesterday until a late hour
last night when ne placed Chief Jailer
Saterly in charge and sought much
needed rest.
Sheriff WheIan is positive Kasson has
not left the city. He believes the pris-
oner was impelled to seek freedom in
order to indulge his overpowering appe-
tite for liquor and that he is now en-
sconced in some saloon enjoying himself
to the fullest extent of great thirst, but
limited means.
"It does not seem possible that Kasson,
with only ten weeks more OF his sentence
to serve, would deliberately plan to es-
cape" said the Sheriff last night. cal
though he claims to ave been left $780,
COO by an uncle. the Chief Jailer tells me
he is positive that Kasson did not have
over So when he left the Jail. The fellow
has The reputation of being a hard
drinker, and il is my opinion that sud-
den Impulse seized him to get drin k
II such is the case | believe he will give
himself up as soon as he gets sober. OF
course | shall not sit down and wait Tor
him 10 do so. but / am doing everything
in my power to effect his capture. Kas-
son did not have money enough to get
very far away from the city, and l do not
think he has attempted to do so.
Deputy Sheriff Grosenger has not
made report 10 me yet, but he has done
so TO Chief Jalier Satterly, and according
to the latter's own statement he was
guilty OF gross carelessness, for which |
have suspended him.
This was the second time l have per-
mitted Kasscn to visit his home accom-
panied by a deputy. Two or three days
before the first announcement in the
papers that he had fallen heir to a fortune
he sent me clipping from some Eastern
papers tating hat his uncle had left him
$3.50 COO, and requested me to let him get
some papers out OF his trunk. | sent
deputy with him and he secured the
papers. taking them back TO the Jail with
him. He spent day or two arranging
them and then sent them on East.
Last Thursday kaSson sent word to
me that he would like TO get some more
papers, and l told HIM he could go home
at the first opportunity. As there was lit
tie doing Saturday afternoon, | gave him
permission to go to his home, on McAllis-
ter street, near Larkin, in company with
Grosenger. They walked down Kearny
street to Market, out that thoroughfare to
NcAllister and then up to the house.
when within a few feet of the place
whom he stopped to talk. Kasson stood
there for a moment and then turning to
the deputy, said:
"'PIl go into the house, Ike, and get
those papers while you are talking to
your friend. 1t won't take me more than
ten minutes
"'All right replied Grosenger, and
Kasson started up the stairs. After wait
ing some time for his man to return the
deputy became uneasy and went up to the
house. 1t was some little time before
Mrs. Kasson opened the door, and in re-
ply to Grosenger's inquiry said that Kas-
son had LETT The house. The deputy was
not satisfied with the woman's statement,
but made thorough search of the pre- M
ises. 1t was evident that the pris oner
had escaped by the rear door and over the
back fence.
There was where Grosenger made his
second bad mistake. 1t was then about 4
O'Clock, as near as | can learn, and, in
stead of reporting the escape at once he
started out alone to search for kasson.
He made the round of the resorts Kasson
was known to have frequented, but could
find no trace of him. At o'clock he re-
turned to the jail, and another deputy
was sent OUT with him. They we're gone
until 10 O'Clock, and upon their return the
lailer In charge notified me of the escape.
l Immediately ordered every available
man to join in the search, and l was out
all night and to-day myself.
Had been notified Immediately after
the escape Kasson would have been re-
captured IN short order, but having sew
eral hours advantage he was enabled to
stow himself well out OF sight.
several times prisoners in my custody