The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-11-20
A POLICEMAN DISAPPEARS.
j. w. JERNIGAN OF THE PLANT
SYSTEM FORCE MISSING.

Has Not Been Seen Since Thursday
Night when His Club Was Found
on His beat at the Plant System
wharf-Was Last Seen by the
ROundsman at IL O'clock That
NiEht-His Brother, ID. w. Jernlgan
of the City Police Is Anxious for
Information ms to His Where
abOuts--Did He Take French Leave
or Was He FOuIIy Dealt with.
John W. Jernigan a policeman of the
Savannah, Florida and Western Railway
police force. is missing. and his friends
are unable to account for his disappear
ance Policeman D. W. JernIgan OF the
city force is very much worried about his
brothers disappearance, and is anxious TO
learn something of his whereabouts.
The missing man had been a member of
the railway police force about three
months. He had worked in Savannah off
and on for the last six years, and pre-
vious to his appointment as a policeman
was foreman of a bridge gang of the
Plant System. After being appointed to
the force he was for a time stationed at
the Bolton street crossing and assisted in
operating the semaphore system there
Recently he was put on night duty at the
Savannah, Florida and Western wharf.
At the wharf the police go on at o. m.
and remain on duty for twelve hours.
Jernigan went on duty last Thursday
night as usual. When Roundsman Shelf
all made his first round at II o'clock he
found Jernlgan on duty at his proper post.
Later, when he made his second round
along towards daylight, Jernigan was
missing, but his club was found on
pile of lumber near the Bilbo canal cross
ing. The roundsman was at a loss to
account for this, but thought that Jerni-
gan might possibly turn up in the morn
ing and explain his derelictlon. He did not
show up the next morning, however, and
a search of the wharf failed to reveal any
sign of his whereabouts
The roundsman reported the matter to
Sergt. Leonard, and the latter informed
policeman Jernigan of the city force of
his brothers. disappearance. The latter
was equally at a loss to account for his
brothers absence. He was not to be found
at his boarding house, nor at any of the
places which he usually frequented. nor
could any one be found who had seen
anything of him since Thursday night. Pc
Hceman Jernigan was assisted in his
search by several friends, but the efforts
OF the latter were equally fruitIess.
Policeman JeTnigan, in speaking of the
matter yesterday, sad that he did NOT
think his brother was a drinking man
had he been drinking on the .night In
question he might have fallen off The
wharf and heen drowned but in this case
ne would probably have carried his club
with nm. The finding OF the club is the
puzziing circumstance in the case Had
young Jernigan intended to desert his ro-
sition he would more likely have thrown
his club into The river than have left II
on the wharf, and he would very prohe
bly, have acquainted his brother with his
intentions. He would also been likely to
make some effort to obtain his clothing
ana other possessions from his boarding
house His trunk and other persona effects
are still at the boarding house on Hun
tingdon, near East Broad street, and the
people there have seen or heard nothing
OF the missing man since he left 10 90 on
duty Thursday night.
Policeman Jernigan is afraid his brother
mas met with some foul play, though there
were no signs at the wharf TO indicate
anything of the kind. Hoping that his
brother would appear and account for his
disappearance he kept the matter ouiAt
until yesterday. He would be glad 10 have
anyone who can throw any light on his
brothers disappearance 10 give informa-
ton OF the same at the police barracks.
Young Jernigan cashed a check for SIS
or 500 with William Bouhan, an East
Broad street grocer, on Thursday after
noon and doubtless had this money on him
Thursday night. He may have either taken
French leave or he may have been robbed
and murdered and his body thrown into
the river. The former theory is m-re plaus-
ible. The missing man is feet in hight,
of spare buid, weighing about 175 pounds,
with dark hair and blue eyes and clean
shaver.