Milford chronicle., 1901-04-26


Robert P. Small, deputy constable
for the First District of Sussex County.
returned to Milford last Saturday after
noon with Mrs. Charles Reed and her
little daughter For two hours South
Walnut street was black with a crowd
of people curious to get to look upon
the woman. The story of their cap
ture as told by Mr.. Small is interesting
He left here on Monday, April 18th,
for fredericksburg, Md, where the clippers
had directed a trunk sent by express
but by an error it was taken to Freder-
icksburg, Va, and was returned to
Milford by request of the agent here.
Afterwards Mr.. Small went to Cam
bridge and there learned that the team
had been sold at Vienna, Md, to a man
named John D. Bradley, who had paid
S25 in money, and given a promissOry
note of SIS for the horse, carriage, blan-
kets and harness Mr.. Bradley had
taken a receipt and bill-of sale which
was signed by Benz r. Pierce and Lii
lie NJ. Pierce. From that place they
had gone to Wingate's Point, So miles
distant, where they had boarded the
State Oyster Police Boat and crossed
over to Hooper's Island
Mr.. Small followed them in a sail
boat, and learned they had left four
hours earlier for st. Jerims, on the West
Shore of the Chesapeake Bay. The
weather was stormy. and Mr.. Small
could not get any Of the men to make
the attempt to cross the bay at that
time; so he returned to Wingate's
Point and drove to Cambridge on Tues
day night. From there ne wired Reed
where to find his team and meet him
at once at Vienna, Md, where Reed
got it and brought it back with him to
Milford.
Wednesday Mr.. Small took the stea-
mer Joppa for Baltimore, and there en-
barked on the Weems Line steamer
Northumberland for the West Shore
Of the Chesapeake; but the steamer, un-
fortunately for Mr.. Small, grounded
and the captain had a boat lowered ano
set him ashore at st. Georges Island
where Pierce and Mrs. Reed had JUS
left for Piney Point, on the Potomac
river. Their departure was hurried, al
the authorities on st. Georges IslanC
knew Pierce as an all-round thief anC
swindler, and gave him warning t.
leave. A deputy sheriff there had one
shot Pierce in making an arrest afte
one of his stealing expeditions.
: From this island Mr.. Small follOwe
them a distance of twenty-five mile
l down the Potomac river to Rock
Point, where he located the party abou
6 p. m, at clearinghouse kept by
Mrs. Reed. Without giving them war;
inggof any kind, he drove ten miles
get warrant for their apprehension
and returning took them into custOd!
From this place he drove thirty mile
, with them to the nearest railroad ST
ton, Belle Alton. On this drive Il
child's hat blew off, aud Pierce got OF
). for it; and had he so desired, he cOul
/, have made his escape, but the Peep
p of that county appeared to all knO
n him, and were ugly disposed, whiC
It. may have accounted for his willin
r. ness to accompany Mr.. Small. /
n Belle Alton. they remained over mig
y at the Hotel Willis, TO take mOrnil
train; but ten minutes before train tin
Pierce disappeared from the scene, al
= the last view of him was as he enter
- a woods on gallop The people urg
- Mr.. Small to follow him; but he h
!, rescued the woman and child, and W
- willing to let Delaware remain clear
villain, and have him remain in
y country where his many crimes WI
=" well-knOwn. Pierce has served Fl
years in prison in that county.
asst Mrs. Reed and her child went to
raj mothers home near Glendale on S
G. urday evening, and in public sta
it ment, she accused her husband as bel
its responsible for all her troubles, a
he charges cruel treatment and abuse fir
of him many times when he was un
ich the influence of liquor. She came
aid Milford Monday after her clothes, /
ers another scene in the drama was enac
led at the Milford depot, when Mrs. R
and her child started to return to
lendale They were there met by
Reed, who seized the child and fOrci
ury took it away with him. Mrs. Reed t
was the matter very quietly, and remark
che will be down on his knees to
w. before the month ends" She con
an ued on her way home to her moth
avs o-----