The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-12-04

market Detectives Woods and Garity
were at Broughton and Bull streets, while
Barrett and Scully were in the vicinity
of the market
In the meantime reports were received
at the barracks that two fellows were
working the town. The descriptions were
the same in each instance; one man had
a light overcoat and black mustache, and
the other black overcoat. The first re-
port was from Joyce's grocery. Clayton
had bought a can of sardines and he Of
fered the same $40 bill in payment. He
also caught himself about the time ne
gathered up the change. and sprung the
same scheme to confuse the clerk
Why, here, 1 have the dime in my
pocket Just give me back the bill, and
/ won't carry all this change"
Another employee caught onto the trick.
and nudged the clerk. Clayton was maxi
ing AL sorts of excuses, fumbled the
money, claimed the clerk had made mis-
take, and used every effort to get the IS
bill in his clutches. The clerk had had
enough experience to keep out of his
hands, however, and firmly told him to
keep the change he had and go. The
actions of the pair gave rise to suspicion,
and the transactions with the imam with
llght overcoat" were telephoned the po-
lice.
Mr.. ]. e. Prather, prescription clerk at
Donnelly's pharmacy was soon heard
from. He told the sergeant he had been
"flim-fammed" by man with a light
overco-t"
BY what is supposed to have been part
of the scheme, two negroes entered the
store and asked for a guitar string. They
asked permission TO adjust it there, and
when this was done, they began playing.
In a short time crowd had gathered. and
in ba nj
dropped in apparently to hear the music.
When the crowd was large enough, and
the furry was ripe for the trick, Clayton
bought two cigars, handed Prather a $40
bill, got his change, and walked out IS
ahead. The job was creased. Prather
didn't know what had happened until the
pair had gone. The last remark made TO
him was by Smith, who inquired:
do you have music in here every
night?"
Leaving that neighborhood, the
men are supposed to have tax
en- circutous route to Con-
gress street. About 10 O'clock they
were sighted by Detective Garity peerng
into the show windows of Sig Gardner's
store. They wore the same light and the
black overcoats One had a black mus
tache, and had ~uddy cheeks. Clarity
had no doubt that they were the men he
an eye on them, he looked around for
Woods, and also sent for Detective Bar
rett. In the meantime he nabbed the pair
and started with them TO patrol box.
you have made mistake, friend" said
Clayton But we are perfectly willing
to 60 Mistakes are often made
Both men were turned over to Barrett,
who started with them TO headquarters
on the way he stopped at Conidas where
the clerks identified the prisoners as the
ones who bought the candy. At the bar
racks Mr.. Prather identified them. 1t was
a catch Chief McDermott and his men
may we'll feel proud Of The quick and
effective work impressed Alderman Reid
who felt confident that two negroes who
entered his store were the same who visit
ed Donnellys.
When the men we're searched they did
not have a great deal Of money. Clayton
had two s. bills and two silver dollars
Smith had a small amount of change and
a vial Of medicine with the label OF a
winston N. c.. druggist. Neither had
anything 10 say. Clayton walked to one
side leaned against the wall. gazing fire.
quently AT Pharmacist Prather whom he
apparently recognized. Having fallen into
a nest Of detectives. and the proof of their
identity being complete. there was nothing
for them to do.