Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1897-03-25
GEoRGEroWS.
An Escaped Prisoner shot In the Leg and
Recaptured- -Gordy's First Signs of Weak

An Escaped Prisoner Shot in the Leg and
Recaptured-Gordy's First Signs of Weak
ness.
soeciaiCorresponden Gazette endJournai
Georgetown, March 90. Considerable
excitement was caused here yesterday
by an attempt to rearrest a. negro who
had escaped from Jail. William Cooper.
colored, was convicted ut last October
term of court Of larceny and sentenced
to three months Imprisonment and
fine of $3.50. The term of imprison-
ment expired in January, but as he
was unable to pay the fine. he was still
kept locked up.
Sheriff johnson had been accustomed
to let the man attend to his horses, and
make himself generally useful about
the jail, but early in February he sud-
denly left the town and had not been
heard from since, until yesterday. when
the sheriff was informed that a negro
answering 10 Cooper's description had
etolen his way down here on freight
train, which arrives about noon.
He at once sent Deputy Sheriff Sharp
and Turnkey Benjamin Wilson to arrest
tho man. but when they found him just
above the railroad station, he showed
fight, craving large knife and defy
ing the officers.
Several bystaaders started to their
assistance. however, and the, negro
took 10 his heels down the track, when
Wilson drew his revolver and fired three
shots after him, the third striking him
in the leg near the knee and bringing
him to the ground. He was quickly
secured and brought to the Jail, where
the wound, which is not dangerous,
was attended by DR.. W. r. Messick,
the Jail physician. Sheriff johnson
will keep closer watch on him in the
future.
james M. Gordy, the accused mur-
derer, is beginning to show the eff. CT
of his Imprisonment. His wonderful
nerve at times shows signs of weaken
| ing. Yesterday was the most trying
one he has thus far had. He was visited
by three of his brothers. John, Benton
and William, and when, in reply to a
question from the prisoner, they told
him that tho shock of the terrible &C.
cusation which hangs over him had
almost killed his aged mother and
prostrated his three sisters. he was
| yisibly affected. The brother brought
with him letter from their mother to
| the waywaid son, which was full oi
| that which only mother could write.
She said that whether hs is innocent
or guilty of the awful crime with which
be is charged, the shock had almost
broken her heart. She felt that hel
days were numbered, but sbe hoped
that he would be able to prove his iuno'
cence. The letter was first given tc
Sheriff johnson, who read it, and sale
that it might be given to the prisoner.
He handed it back to his brother, say
ing that he could not read. One of tht
brothers offered to read it to him, hui
he said mo, can't listen TO it
This was his first sign of weakness since
| his imprisonment. Gordy's lawyer
have not yet decided whether they will
ask the court to grant them a Longer
time in which to prepare their defence
or proceed with the case on the day nov
set for it. April 7th. The prosecution
will oppose coutiruan without goot
cause, and will insist that the trial b.
had as soon as possible.