The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-07-04
CROSBY AGAIN IN BARRACKS.
DESERTED SECOND TIME FROM
THE ARMY AT TAMPA.

Arrested at the Savannah, Florida
and Western Station, waiting
with His Father to start for Tam
pa-Intended Trying to Get an
Honorable observation-disclosures He
Is Physically Unable to Perform
His Duties as "A Soldier.
John Crosby Is giving interminable
trouble to Capt. W. C. Austin's
company of United States Volunteers at
Tampa, deserving about as quick as he
is captured and taken back. He has been
making the road warm between Tampa
and Savannah, having been arrested yes
terday for the third time charged with
desertion.
Since being mustered into the service
here some time ago Crosby has met many
vicissitudes on account of repeated deser-
tons. He first left with one or two of his
comrades, coming direct to Savannah, but
had not been here but a short time until
arrested by the police.
1t was claimed he was under age when
he enlisted in the army, and for that rea-
son his father instituted habeas corpus
proceedings against Chief McDermott
and on hearing the case, Judge FerriH
released the petitioner. Crosby was APP
parently not to be molested further, but
hope soon turned to dismay, and he found
himself again in complications. This time
1t was the government that wanted him
on the charge of theft" il being under
stood he took a uniform and other arti-
Giles belonging to the government on leav-
ing his command. He was taken to Tam
pa by special detail, where he was court
martialed and made to tusse with high
temperature and palmetto roots for sew
eral days.
No sooner was this task completed, how
ever, than Crosby seems to have again de
parted for Savannah. lie left Thursday
ana ii Friday Capt. Austin, who 10 here
at present, notified Chief McDermott of
the matter and asked that the arrest. be
made. The detectives and police were all
notified TO keep a watch, but it seemed
their Efforts were to be of no avail, since
nothing could be learned as to CrCsby's
Whereabouts. The policeman at the Plant
system station saw the young man and
his father there about $50 o'clock Nester-
cay, apparently for the purpose OF do
parting on a train due to leave about tnat
time. The officer te!ephoned Chief Nc
Dermott for instructions, and was direct
ed TO STTest Crosby and hold him Tor an
officer. The patrol was sent down and
Crosby accompanied by his father. was
taken to the barracks.
An investigation did not show that an eff
fort was being made to get out of the
reach Of the officers as might be expect
ed, but that the father had already bought
tickets and was intending to take his son
back to Tampa in hopes of arranging for
his honorable discharge, if possible. After
explaining this the father begged permits
sion to go ahead, but Chief NcDermott
told him he had no discretion in the mat
ter, his only duty being TO make the ar
rest.
Il was represented that Crosby is phys
ically unable to perform the duties of a
soldier, being a sufferer from different all
ments, and for that reason should not be
detained in the service. When he first
left ana was arrested here, the young man
complained when locked up in the bar
racks about suffering from asthma.
Shortly after being taken to the barracks
he Was seen by Capt. II. X. Bailey, in
command of the troops at Tybee There
was but one thing to do, however, and that
was TO place The prisoner In The barracks
ut Tybee until further orders are receiv-
ed. He was taken down last night by
Sergt. McDonough, and VIII be detained
there until ordered taken to Tampa. He
viii likely be held there. however. since the
company to which he belongs may be in
Savannah within a few hours.