The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-03-11
CAUGHT At lexington.
TayIOr'S Militia Did Not Save
Powers and Davis.
DISGUISED AS SOLDIERS
They Attempted TO Escape Under
Military Escort.

Arrested by the Police After a Short
Struggle and Closely Confined in
Jail-Denied They Were Fleeing
From Justice, But Had PartIons
From Taylor in Their Pockets and
Did Not Explain Their DISCUSSES.
Jail Guarded to Prevent Rescue.
Many of the Militia Will Stand by
Beckhanl.
Lexington, Ky, March 1O-Almost with
ont warning, the storm center Of excite
ment in the present gubernatorial strug-
gle shifted to Lexington tonight, and up
until a late hour the town was in an up
roar.
The $40 o'clock Chesapeake and Ohio
train from Frankfort brought with it in
one car to themselves Secretary of State
Caleb Powers, Capt John Davis, Capitol
Square policeman, and Lieut.. F. R. Peake
Of Irvington.
Intelligence had preceded them that they
were on their way to Lexington and were
trying to make their escape. When the
train pulled into the depot the entire po-
lice force of this city under Chief John
Med. Rose and Sheriff Henry Bosworth,
with large force of deputies, boarded
the train.
On entering the coach, the officers found
it contained about twenty-five soldiers,
with Powers and Davis, the-s soldiers be-
ing under command apparently of Lieut..
Peake. Lieut., Peake sprang to his feet
at once and commanded the soldiers to
clear the car In an instant twenty re-
volvers wgfe drawn by the officers. and
they were all leveled at Peake, who game
ly tried to pull his own revolver, but as
he drew 1t from the scabbard, a police
man smashed him across the hand with
with his club and then prevented what
would have undoubtedly resulted in
tragedy
The sheriff commanded the conductor to
cut off. the car. The conductor remonstrat-
ed, stating that the train carried United
States mail and the demand was not press
ed.
When Taken to Jail.
A local attorney recognized Powers. and
also pointed out Davis. They were seized
and hurried to jail AS the procession
swept toward the Jail some people start
ed the report that there was to be a
lynching and soon the streets were pack
ed with people, an enormous crowd gath
ering about the Jail. Davis, Powers and
Peake were hurried to the upper cells, but
Peake was later released on bond on
common warrant on the charge of resist
ing arrest.
The Associated Press correspondent saw
Lieut.. Peake in company with his attor-
ney but he refused absolutely to say a
word.
The correspondent sought interviews
with Powers and Davis, but the officers
refused to permit any one to see them
at that time.
Davis and Powers were both disguised
Both wore the regular soldier uniforms
complete, even as to the leggns. Davis
mad shaved off his mustache and goatee
He had $l25 in money on his person and a
revolver There was found on Powers
$1,000. In the inside pocket of each man
was found a pardon from Gov. w. S. Tay-
ior, duly signed and sealed
Did Not Explain Disguiscs.
Attorney W. C. Dunlap. Postmaster e.
c. Elkln and Attorney R. c. SOL eared
on Secretary of State Powers later and TO
the Associated Press correspondent they
stated that Powers told Dunlap substan-
TALLY that he was not fleeing from arrest.
lie was simply getting away from frank
Tort to avoid lying in Jail as Whitaker
had done; that he had done
nothing to fear arrest, as he
was not guilty of the charge and that
he was going TO Barboursville, in
'he Eleventh Congressional district, whore
Iaylor's Jurisdiction was fully recognized
Capt. Davis had little to say to them cx-
cept that he thought he had made a m s.
take in leaving home, that he had nothing
to fear from trial. Neither explained
his disguise.
Immediately after arriving at the jail a
report got out that a special train went
pack to Frankfort for, the purpose OF