The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-12-23
FOURTEEN MEN IN THE HUNT
POLICE FEARED sLAsHER SMITHS
VICTIM WOULD LEAVE.
De CaDs IL Anxious to Go to Spokane,
but the Authorities DO Not Intend
TO Let the Hobo Escape for
Want of n Prosecuting Witness.

Fourteen police officers were hunting ne
city high and low yesterday afternoon for
Ben De Camp. xho narrowly escaped
death from a razor cut inflicted by a hobo,
whom ne had refused nickel. At o'clock
Detective Meredith found De Camp sitting
quietly in the Office of DR.. Emil Bories
who has attended him since he received
the murderous cut
Ths cause Of the wild chase after De
Camp came from a conviction at the pros
ecuting attorneys Office and police head
quarters hat De Camp was anxious to
go 10 Spokane. and. rather than be de-
layed. would allow the case against
SIasher george Smith TO be dismissed
owing to the absence Of the prosecuting
witness. De Camp denies emphaticaily
that ne had any intention Of leaving the
city.
De Camp was released from Providence
hospital day before yesterday. his NECK
having healed With remarkable quickness.
The evidence Of the cot IS Still! there. how
ever, in the shape OF a scar. De Camp
has a brother living in Spokane, who Is a
contractor. He has work for De Camp and
has sent him money 10 join him. After
De Camp was released from Providence
hospital Tuesday afternoon he went TO the
prosecuting attorneys office and had a
talk with Mr.. McElroy who said that he
would bring the case to trial as soon as
possible. At the lates: the date would be
January 8 and IL possible he would bring
4, up during the Christmas vacation. De
Camp said that he was anxious to have
the trial over as soon as possible so that
he could go to work. You have TO take
some steps to insure the presence OF Wit
nesses. don't you?" inquired De Camp.
Mr. McElroy replied that subpoenas were
issued. De Camp left the office with the
understanding that he was 10 call again
yesterday at noon. In the meantime,
however. suspicion had been aroused
among the police that De Camp intended
TO leave the city for Spokane. Capt Sulli-
van communicated with Prosecuting At
torney McElroy. but the latter did not
think there was any occasion to be afraid
of man who had nearly lost his life leav-
Ing the city. and thus practically breaking
up the case Of the prosecution.
Mr.. McEiroy did not see De Camp at
noon yesterday and he became suspicious
IN consequence. This time he communi-
Gated with Capt. Sullivan and the result
was still hunt for the missing witness.
Finally Detective Meredith found him and
took HIM to police headquarters. where he
was locked up. De Camp was seen by a
Post-Intelligencer reporter Immediately
after his arrest.
"Why, I had no intention OF leaving the
city until after the trial." he said. "M-.
McElroy told me 1t would take place in a
few days and it was my intention 20 re-
main in the city until it was over. called
st the prosecuting attorneys office at noon
as agreed. but he was not there. I ex-
pected to 81 back and see him later. but
was taken In charge by an officer"
"Slasher" George Smith was arraigned
before Judge Jacobs yesterday and en-
tered nlsa Of mot guilty. of the charge
OF assault with intent to kill. The court
appointed Charles F. Munday counsel for
the accused.