Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1899-09-16
An Escaped Convict Re-
turns to Prison.
HIS GUILTY CONSCIENCE
Would Not Allow Him to Rest Even
Though He Went Far From the
Scene of His Crime-He Will Be
PardOned.

Chicago. Sept. ia special to the
Ti1nes-Herald from Memphis, Tenn, on
the surendering of c. Q. Summers to the
Mississippi authorities says:
Charles O.. Summers. formerly a detec-
tive, an escaped convict from the Missis-
sippi penitentiary, a gold hunter of the
klondike and a man with a conscience,
is again in prison. He journeyed all the
way from Dawson City, Alaska, to New
York, from New York to Memphis and
Memphis to Jackson. Miss, to surrender
himself as a safe robber. Summers ar
rived in Memphis Thursday and called on
Superintendent G. w. Agee of the South
ern Express company at his Office. Sum
mers said he was tired of liberty that
does not mean freedom" Even in the
KlOndike he had nc peace of mind He
thought of going to China, but his con-
science led him back to Mississippi.
When he walked into Mr.. Agee's office
he was prepared not only to declare re-
%pentance but to make restitution. He
turned over to Mr.. Agee 81, 800 in cash to
cover the amount of his Indebtedness to
the Southern Express company, even in
Guiding the colnpany's expense Of pursu-
ing him. He said that he would also re-
imburse the state officials for the expense
of bringing him back from California,
which he did promptly upon reaching
Jackson, paying $500. Mr.. Agee told
oulIllneIS 1T WOulu lIuSl ilil " ~ 80
jackson unattended, and that he could
leave when he got ready. Summers left
Memphis and Superintendent Agee re
ceiyed a telegram dated at Jackson say
ing he had arrived.
When Summers reached New York
from San Francisco. having gone from
Dawson City to that place. he wrote to
G. v. McLauren Of Mississippi. His feel
ings during the years which he was q
fugitive in exile We're expressed in this
letter. He desired to serve out his SEN
tence. make reDaration for the wrong.
and 60 forth in the world a man not hum
ted by his fellow men.
In 1892 Summers was a detective, and in
that capacity was employed by the
Southern Express mpa to capture
Eugene Bunch. who had robbed a South
ern Express train car at Hammond, La,
in the spring of 1892. Bunch was killed,
and his companions in the robbery We're
captured. While in pursuit of the train
robbers Summers was in and about Mer-
idian, Miss, a great deal and familiar
, lied himself with the details of the office
of the Southern Express company at that
point. Soon after he returned to Chicago
and divulged to Tom Murray, another de-
tective. a plan he had conceived to rob
the safe of the express company at Mer-
idian. Both Summers and Murray re-
signed their positions and left Chicago
for Meridian.
During the temporary absence of the
night clerk entered the office,
and by means Of false keys distracted a
parcel of $1,000. The money was handed
to Murray, who left on a train for New
Orleans. while Summers retired to his
hotel. When the loss was made known
Summers, Who was known TO be in the
city, was m to aid in tracing
the thief. In a short While express Off
Gals and other detectives arrived on the
scene and began an investigation. In
less thai 4S hours had been ar
rested and confessed that he and Muir
raw had committed the theft. Murray
was arrested in Chicago and 81. 100 of the
money cover from his person.
Both Summers and Murray pleaded
guilty and We're sentenced to five years
each in the Mississippi state prison. sum-
mers a not been in prison over 80 lays
when he effected his escape. After tray
cling around the country he went to the
Klondike, but IN learning that detectives
were on his trail he disposed of his inter
ests in Dawson City and returned to the
United States. A special from Jackson
says there is already a strong and grow
ing sentiment for the pardon of the re-
turned convict.