The Savannah morning news., 1901-03-27
SHERIFF A PRISONER
WITNESS IN BROOKS CASE THEN
SKIPPED OUT.
SENSATION IN MURDER TRIAL.
SOUTH CAROLINA OFFICER HELD
BY JUDGES ORDER.


star Witness Against Brooks.
Martin Patterson Left Stand to Be
Arrested for RObbery-Charged
with Being Fugitive From Justice
and officer Had Reputation Papers.
Solicitor Osborne Objected and
Caughman Was Held for Contempt
eff COurt-When Patterson Disap-
peared in the Afternoon the Sheriff
Was Released.
The most sensational incident during
the murder trial of Henry Brooks in the
Superior Court yesterday was the deten-
ton of Sheriff T. H. Caughman of Lex
ington county, South Carolina.
Martin Patterson, the man who claims
that he saw Brooks shoot Patrolman Fem
der, and the states star witness. had
hardly left the stand when he was placed
under arrest by Sheriff Caughman. This
move was as great a surprise to Solicitor
General Osborne as it was to the witness,
but the prosecuting attorney quickly had
matters changed and deputy took sher-
if Caughman in charge.
While the South Carolina officer was de-
tanned Patterson, the alleged fugitive
from justice, was at liberty. He appeared
at the Court House at 5 o'clock, as told
20 do, but half an hour later when he
was called, could not be found anywhere.
His disappearance was the second sensa-
ton of the day, and Judge Twiggs, Mr.
oliver and Sheriff Caughman said in cho-
rus. Il told you So"
Judge Falligant instructed Sheriff
schwarz to place all of his deputies on
the track of the missing witness. but Pat
terson could not be located. In spite of
the mans sudden disappearance Solicitor
General Osborne stated that he believes
Patterson will turn up at the Court House
this morning. The South Carolina sheriff,
Judge Twiggs and Mr.. oliver laugh at
this and are of the opinion that Patterson
has departed for parts unknown.
Sheriff Caughman was at the Court
House in the morning with requisition
papers for one Martin Patterson, wanted
in Lexington county, South Carolina
for robbery. The papers stated that Pat
terson, railway iagman, had on Nov.
teacher Miss Longford's purse contain
ing a school claim for $35. due bill for
$50 a So bill and about SIS in silver. was
taken and Patterson was arrested for
the theft. He gave bond, but when in
dicted in 1897, skipped out His bonds
man was not worth the amount of the
bond and bench warrant was issued for
the arrest of the fiagman.
Caughman said nothing to any of the
1oCaI ofacerg a bOut his mission and the
scene that followed was a big surprise.
Patterson left the witness stand and was
followed outside by Attorney oliver, who
pointed the witness out to the South Car
DINA sheriff. Mr.. Caughman told Pat
terson that he had papers for him to go
back to South Carolina on a charge of
robbery. If Patterson is guilty of the
charge. he put up strong game of bluff.
Solicitor General Osborne saw what was
happening and told Sheriff Caughman
that he had no right to make an arrest
in such a manner. The prosecuting at
torney called a deputy and instructed
him to issue a subpoena for Caughman
and detain him. Caughman was power
less TO act and Patterson was the man
to do the laughing.
Before the adjournment OF court for
dinner Solicitor General Osborne asked
that the South Carolina sheriff be
brought into court to answer a charge OF
contempt. He stated that Caughman had
attempted to obstruct the administration
of justice and that the offense had been
so fragrant that he fek it his duty to
bring the matter to the attention of the
court The solicitor general thought tina
If there had ever been a case of contempt
is was in the one in question.
Judge Twiggs said that Sheriff Caugh-
man had been done a grave injustice and
that ne desired to make certain expl ana
tons and set the South Carolina officer
straight. Some time ago the defense had
l,een told that Patterson was a fugitive
from Justice in both South and NORTH
Carolina. He had written a letter to che
clerk of the Lexington Court asking FOL
Pattersons record and the officials II
that county had learned that the mar
they wanted was in Savannah.
Judge Twiggs said that the South Car
olina authorities had wanted to arrest Pat
terson at that time, but that his firm ha,
requested that the matter be delayed un
I'll after the trial of the case. They di
not wish TO be placed in a false attitud
and have II thought that they had got
ten a witness for the state out OF tn
way. At the earnest solicitation OF hi
firm, Judge Twiggs said that the sheriff
agreed 10 wait until Patterson had give
his testimony.
He could not see where Caughman ha
bttn bhtA9 VI NOutttttHAf bcNauHt IdIitf
son had already finished his testimony
Judge Twiggs said that the witness woul
have been arrested before he entered tn
court room but for the fact that he re-
duested that another course be followet
The attorney stated that he was unabl
20 see where the sheriff had been guilt
and II he was Il was surely not an inteu
tional violation.
Solicitor General Osborne thought tina
Il would have been much better TO hav
arrested the witness at any time befor
he testified re was not At all please
with the rather dramatic way Ia whic
the programme had been carried out tn
prosecuting officer thought that the on
Ger had been guilty % contempt, an
should be punished. BE considered n
higb-handed state Of affairs and W "a
pressed himself
shenn cauRhman stated that he n
tended no contempt and that d. believe
~ wac acting under bic rights 81
p" ff hnd tQld him that Patterson va
u ana af hae taken him boz chafgl