Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-07-04
Lewis ]. Yeager Breaks Out Of
Police Station.
WAS RECAPTURED YHg MORNING
The Charge Of Seduction Filed
in Court Against Him.
THREATENED WITH VIOLENCE

| Lewis j. 4eager, the local attorney &C
/ cused Of being responsible for the ruin of
| Edith Schnebel. heretofore published in
The Star, ended a series of unpleasant ex-
periences this afternoon by being placed
behind the bars for hearing in the Po-
lice Court tomorrow. He was arrested on
complaint of the child's father Saturday
and narrowly escaped physical chastise-
ment at the hands of the angered man.
Yesterday Yeager was rearrested because
he failed to appear for trial at the hour
appointed. Some time last night or this
morning he escaped from the sixth pre-
cinct station About IL o'clock this morn
| ing he was recaptured and taken to police
headquarters.
On his way to the station aboard a street
car William Schnebe father Of the girl.
boarded the train and made an effort to
assault him. Detective Baur got between
the two men and prevented the threatened
collision. Schnebel was then searched but
no weapon was found on him.
Yeager reached headquarters before noon
and was interviewed by Inspectors Board
man, Cross and Pearson. This was done to
assist In an investigation of the circum-
stances regarding his escape. 1t was re-
ported from the station that he got away
between and o'clock this morning. but
from the mans movements as disclosed it
Is believed he took his departure much
earlier in the morning.
The Alleged OEense.
Yeager's arrest was mentioned in Satur-
days Star. William Schnebel. father of the
child. swore out the warrant in the Police
Court, charging carnal knowledge. Yester-
day when the case was called in the Police
Court Mr.. Schnebel and his little daughter
were present, but the defendant did not
APPEAR, and Inspector Boardmau FASTENED
to find him. Detectives Herndon and Baur
6nfa Had 4,
in his room at 515 I'd street northwest His
excuse for not appearing was that he was
sick.
While this was true. Police Surgeon Ney-
lit found that he could be removed to the
police station without endangering his life
This was done, as stated in yesterdays
Star because Yeager was unable to furnish
new bond Before leaving headquarters
the prisoner pleaded with the officers to put
him in some place other than one of the
cells, where he would not have to sleep
or rest on an iron cot: His pleading was
renewed when he reached the station. and
the matron, knd-hearted woman,
marked: Put the poor fellow in The wit
ness rccm," and added. Hes sick
He then taken to the witness room
| On the second floor, where he HAD COM
Portable bed. a chair and gas light by
which he could read. This kindness on the
part of the officers was rewarded by his
subsequent escape, which means inves-
tgation and the possible punishment of
some official.
Escapes Through Transom.
During the night the officers on duty in
the station visited the room. Each time
they found the door locked, but il appears
no attention was paid to the transom. 1t
was through the opening made by the re-
moval of the sash there that Yeager es-
capped
1t was nearly 5 o'clock when Patrol
Driver Fitzgerald went to the room to see
sharn
response to his call. and when the door was
opened the escape was discovered.
Hes gone. was the single remark Of
the patrol driver when he returned to the
Office.
Then a telephone message was sent to
headquarters and most of the detectives
were summoned TO headquarter. about day
light The fugitive had left his pipe in the
room as the only souvenir for the officers.
He had put the chair on the bed and there
was nothing difficult about getting through
the opening and going out the side door.
passing the morgue and probably jumping
over the back fence.
1t is not known whether Yeager removed
the transon or whether it had already been
| taken out in order to ventllate the room
When Inspector Boardman reached the
office this morning and learned of the es-
cape he directed the detectives to go out
and get the fugitive. Shortly after
o'clock Detective Lacy returned with the
information that he had been given a clue
| which would in all probability result in the
capture Of the fugitive 1t was learned
that Yeager had gone to his room after his
escape and that he had started negotiations
looking to the giving of a new bond. The
meeting place for his bOndsmen. friends and
others was the Virginia House, at No. $3.50
NJ street, Georgetown Detectives Parham
and Gallaher were first to reach the hotel
and soon afterward Detectives Baur and
Lacy arrived.
Mr.. Hunter Was There.
The former kept close watch on the
house until a friend of Yeagers appeared
and entered the bar attached TO the hotel
'Is Mr.. Yeager here?" the bartender was
asked
"Mr. Hunter is" was the response
The officers then went to upper room
and there they found the attorney resting
himself on bed, awaiting the arrival of
his friends with bondsman.
Expresses Regret.
Gentlemen, I'm sorry / did this he
said, recognizing the detectives. '.Lieuten-
ant Keiiy's men treated me well, and Pm
sorry I've done this and given so much
trouble. l had no idea of running away,
but last night l almost crazy and ]
thought l would go out and find bonds
man.
He stated that his memory was defective
about part of his movement. and he could
not tell just what time ne made his escape
During yesterday, he said, ne took medicine
and big drink of whisky to quiet his
nerves. and his condition was such when he
got out that he wandered about some time
before be fully realized what had happened
After going to his room he got on a car
and rode over TO Georgetown. On the ear
with him, he said, there were several DO
licemen. Upon reaching Georgetown he
walked part of the way across the bridge
and returned, going to the Virginia House
before breakfast time
At the sixth precinct station it was stat
ed that Yeager scarcely closed his eyes dur
ing the night, He spent most of his time
reading a newspaper and smoking. When
his supply OF cigars gave out he smoked his
pipe. He was sent from headquarters today
to the second precinct station.
Conference Held.
Commissioner Wight. Capt. Austin and
Inspectors Pearson. Cross and Beardman
assembled at headquarters subsequently
and discussed the affair Statements Of
officers Of the sixth precinct will be heard
and the case will be thoroughly inyesti-
syat ted hefare any aefjan is taken Me roay,,