The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1902-07-29
rs GHINE, SAH," Said
HAPPY, ANDHB WENT
Clever Negro Now Returns
to Jail Voluntarily.
STRANGE TALE OF A TRUSTY
Broke From Warden Harris Caravan
saTy, Boarded an Observation Freight
Car, Saved $50, and Is Now Back TO
Purchase His Lawful Liberty.

John Jackson is his name and he is
as clever a negro as ever was in the
1 hands Of the police Of this city. And
they realize that fact, too.
Jackson Is tagI, weIl-formed son of
Africa. and when his face lights up
with a smile, It shows that he is as
toothless as babe. the majority Of
his molars having been lost in contact
With numerous policemen in this city
for fifty OF more years past.
John was brought back to this city
late yesterday afternoon from Phila-
| delphia, and with his return there
comes to light an exceedingly interest
ing incident that will show the cTafti-
ness Of tn prisoner
Jackson was sentenced to serve about
d year IN jail, aot more than q month
ago. as the result Of his having had a
quarrel with q girl in 'Bloodaeld.
Upon arriving at the penal institution
on the banks Of the Eastern Branch he
was assigned to has cell, but, owing TO
his careless. happy manner, he became
quite a favorite, and Warden Harris,
after he had been there only few
days, determined to make a 'tTusty"
out OF John.
This was done and Smiling" Jack
! son, as he Is called, was given the
freedom Of the Institutions corridors.
/ Finally he was allowed more liberty,
and one summers morning about a
month go he was assigned to work with
chosen few IN the front garden
/ Laughing and singing, Smiling" Jack
son danced gaily on the turf, Taking
the ground. and stopping now and then
to watch tn jaileT who guarded him and
| his fellOw-DTisoners.
CPS Gwine, Sah," He Said.
Jackson. 20 over to that wall and
fix that brush, - shouted the guard
Yas sah-Tg gwine sab, responded
the negro prisoner, his face lighting up
as he replied The prisoner moved
toward the wall Suddenly he crouched
! low and IN a few seconds his gaunt
body went huFling over the obstruction.
Halt" cried the guard. a shiny OBJ
ject glittered in his hand IN the sun
light. There was a report, followed by
the stamping Of feet, and the ringing OF
bells. Other guards from the interior OF
the jail came running to the scene, and
the pursuit OF Smiling Jackson was
begun.
In the meantime, feeling like a two
=
dusty road gaining considerable ground
on his pursuers- He reached the banks
Of the Eastern BTaEcn. plunged in. and
all that his pursUeTs ever :o1nd Of him
was his old pair Of shoes. which he left
lying on the river shore.
The fugitive caught a freight train.
and was soon bowling rapidly out of the
confines Of the District When Phils- |
delphia was reached the joyful negro |
slighted from his observation car, |
and went IN search OF work He finally |
struck a position working On a ressr- |
yoir. and started in TO save ali the |
money possible. knowing we'll that il
would only be a question Of davs before |
the local authorities would be on hts |
trail. seeking to get him back to serve 1
the rest of his time"
One dollar week was his actual liv- /
ing expenses and clothes he needed 1
none. Finally. when he had succeeded /
IL saving up the sum Of $50, he made I'D /
his mind 20 let the Washington police 4
know where he was; go back with one o.
them; pay his fine; secure his release, /
and then return 10 his position In the
Keystone State.
Many days had passed since. John /
Jackson had made his escape. but the 1
search for him still continued About 4
three days ago Captain Boardman. chief !
Of detectives, received a letter from
Smiling Jackson" containing the in /
formation that he was willing to come /
back. Detective Sergeant Tyser was sent /
on to Philadelphia early Monday morn /
ing, and soon had John back IN this city /
Dirty and Jolly.
His ugly features, covered with dirt /
and mud, weighing less than $50 pounds. /
having lost flesh because of the hard |
work he had to perform, John was es- /
corted into Headquarters. He was in ex- |
ceedingiy jolly spirits, and greeted ev- |
eryone good-naturedly Warden Harris /
was notified that Jackson had arrived. /
and promptly came TO Headquarters with /
his carriage after the happy negro.
How you, Mr. Warden" shouted /
Jackson as soon as he espied the smil- /
ing face OF Mr. Harris
Oh, I'm well John: and I want you |
We are certainly glad to have you back |
with US once more, " replied the warden /
loudly
"Weel. look-a-heah; I Jess guess 1 nit /
IS well tell youse that Use doan got $50 .
in my sock, and I Jess don't tend te !
stay IN de bug house"
The warden looked surprised and put |
the nippers' en- Smiling John, new /
eTtheIess. You can pay your fine to
morrow. John; but we want you to stay /
with US tonight, and the trio left Head
quarters.