The Worcester spy., 1898-11-18
TURKEY
That Reed Is
to Enjoy.
THE BUNC0 KING
VIII Doubtless Offer His
Thanks to Prison Officials.

Il OF several QayS past, STATE OlllCltls
have been quietly at work on the Wor-
cester end of the John Reed case, but
until The Spy came out yesterday
morning with a story of how Mr.. Reed
was taken out to lunch in one of the
most popular hotels, Worcesterites had
little idea of the additional freedom
that had been allowed this prince OF
gold brick manipulators.
The fact that Reed, in company with
Officer Abbott and Landlord Hurley OF
the Sherwood House, dined at the Lin
coin House cafe on the Thursday night
previous to the eventful Sunday night
when he made his escape, is admitted
by the hotel people, although they claim
that the mans Identity was unknown
at the time.
| Mr. Hurley corroborates the story in
its principal features, but says he act
ed as guide for Abbott and his prison
er, subsequent to Col. Giles call on
Reed. "The wine supper" which has
been spoken of from time to time, evil
IDENTIFY was not In evidence.
| From Warden Bridges remarks, the
prison officials evidently underrated
Reeds intellectual ability. In an in
terview with The Spy man, Gen
Bridges said Reed was not considered
particularly smart man, and,Nso far
as being dangerous, officer Abbott was
considered more than q match for two
men of Reeds physique.
Nevertheless, Reed proved too shrewo
for the officer, and up to the present
time, refuses to disclose his where
abouts.
Assuming that Abbott is innocent OF
any completely in the matter Reed GER
tainly succeeded in making Abbott
think he was good fellow, or possi-
oily he brought hypnotic influence to
bear with the result that Abbott offered
him every facility possible for enjoy
ment while away from the prison.
| Abbott is not the only one who comes
in for censure. There are individuals
and the numbers are growing daily
who assert that Warden Bridges is en-
titled to as much blame as the mar
under him, and that he should come
| in for his share of the recompense
meted out as punishment for Reeds
| escape.
| The Lynn Item, commenting editori.
ally on the matter, says:
The prison officials who took Reed
the bunco man, to several hotels, ste
accommodate Lawyer Gile,' counse
for the prisoner, now know what a risl
it is to accommodate q lawyer who il
heavily retained in the interest Of Z
| shrewd and wealthy criminal Theil
chance of ever seeing Reed again j.
very slight, but If they have any sens
left, they will be extremely cautious
| hereafter how they accommodates
| lawyers. Abbott is the most to blame
but Warden Bridges is by no mean.
blameless.
The Springfield Republican says
| The officer admits his negligence, and
appears to feel keenly the position fl
which he is placed. He declares, how
ever, that he is an honest man, and
| that he never received g cent from
Reed or any OF his friends Reed "bun.
coed him Just as he did many of hi.
other victims. Abbott said that wheY
| he was sent to Worcester by the war.
den, he was told to permit Col Gile K
have an opportunity to interview the
prisoner, and if the jail officials woulC
not receive the prisoner on account o.
| it being Sunday. to take him to a ho
tel and keep sharp watch over him
| The officer admits that he did not tel
the warden about having taken Reec
to Clark's Hotel the previous Friday
but claims that he did inform the war.
| den that on the previous Thursday h,
did remain all night at the Sherwood
House in Worcester with the prisoner
and Col. Gile"
Meanwhile. John Reed, wherever h,
may be, is doubtless looking forward
| to the day of Thanksgiving, with {
true spirit of thankfulness, and from
past happenings, it is safe to wager
| that Mr.. Reed will eat turkey will
all the accompanying fixings that gt
to make the dinner so popular.