The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-05-21
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| NEW, 2s6 |
OLD, O423|
A WILD CHASE AFTER COBB.
Chief McAndrew and Two PATROL
men Go on Man Hunt That Ends
in n Joke

| iltl So VII ItAstli Iluul 4liluS
in Joke.
| There was a good sized scare started
early yesterday morning by the news
that came to town that Nathaniel
cobb, the principal in last weeks
knitting. was hiding in Il barn along
Wilson creek, north of the city.
chief Nc Andrew, who has been
keenly on the alert for the capture of
the fugitive, since last week, was
| about the liveliest of those who heard
| the startling news. He was hustled
out of his bed about three o'clock in
the morning. his informant telling him
that cobb was in u barn on a farm
along the New Milford turnpike. he
| had been there since early in the night
, and as he was supposed to be asleep
1t WAS "A golden opportunity to- catch
him. This news was just what chief
McAndrew had an appetite for. and if
he ever mad" more hurried toilet
| than now, well then, he couldn't re-
| call it.
| The chief hustled down to the city
| hall, where he was Joined by Patrol
| men Garden and Huddy. Tho trio
| rushed off on a double quick pace,
| headed for the barn where the elusive
|
| crrity. The tramp was q long one,
and seemed much longer because of
| the -strainins circumstances Of
| the man hunt.
After what seemed a long and
| wearying tramp, the trio of policemen
halted at the supposed hiding place of
Neary's and the others assailant.
chief McAndrew led the way into the
barn. followed by the other officers.
Expecting resistance, or rather u
warm reception from cobb. in the
| event Of his awakening. they had their
r.vovers drawn and they We're pre-
pared to use them. But the promised
excitement Of the occasion fell out Of
he chase when the Wo,Ild-b uaptorS
of cobb had to arouse the sleeper and
peer int" his race to place his identity.
\ liSGusted look came over the faces
of the chief and the patrollnen while
their countenancos indicated more for
chilly tn. disgust they felt. The man
before them was poor wondcrcr who
was overtakon with fatigue while on
his way from ilonesdalc, and who
Crept into the barns shelter to rest on
he friendly bed of hay.
When the lodSer became awake to
a realization of what was going on
about him and he saw before his face
the cistonine barrels OF two rcvol-
vors, he shrunk back in fear and ill
humorcdly asked why h" was dis
turbed.
1t didn't need The mans protcsta-
tinns To convince Chief McAndrew
that ho was not Cobb. for he bore hut
slight resemblance to the old hermit
The man before the police was num-
her Of years younger than Cobb, and
his moustachc. while of Il heavier
growth. was not so gray, either. as
Cohb'S. !lc had Il Worn grip beside
him which contained number of bot
ties filled with "A lubricant which the
man disposed Of from door to door.
The police. after the man finished his
explanation. disappeared. dsglstod
and foot sore, after their siX-milc
chase.
The incident serves to show how
watchful :hc people are throughout
the community for Disappearance.
and it will serve as n hint to wayfar-
ers tn he cautious of how they enter
outhuidings hercahours while Cobb
remains at large.
cobb still keeps out Of tho tolls.
though the locati ion of his hiding place
is kept in mind.
Hha capture Of cobb Is not within
chief McAndreW'S duties. for the knif-
ing WAS done in the township, outside
of his jurisdiction. His zeal and cr-
forts SO far hav" sprung from his
friendship for Constable Neary and
from anxiety to have so dangerous Il
character oS cobb restrained from
committing further violence.