The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-05-03
'CHAS.J. SEARCEY
NOW AT LIBERTY
Noted Train Robber Set Free
Yesterday.
MAY NOW RETURN TO TEXAS
MAY NOW RETURN TO TEXAS.
Stated He Would Work in G. & 0
Offices in Newport News, but This
is Strongly Denied-Probably
Looking for Buried Treasure.

Charles Jasper Searcey, after serving
nearly seven OF his eisht year term for
being Implicated in the famous Aqua
Creek train robbery. in 1S94, with c. A.
AIorganfed, was liberated from the Viz
ginia penitentiary at O'Clock yesterday
morning, and is now free man.
Scarcey went from here to Stafford couh-
ty, where the robbery was committed,
and, according to advices from Frcder-
icksburg. is believed to be looking for the
money lie is supposed to have buried after
the robbery.
Nlorgantield has eleven more years to
serve. Although there had been some
talk of q requisition from the Governor
of Arkansas for Searcey, in which State
some ten years ago he is alleged to nave
committed a robbery, no papers were
here for him from anywhere. and he lett
the prison unmolested. Searcey secured
transportation to Brooke. the station on
the Richmond. Fredericksburg and 20
tomac Railroad just below where the
robbery was committed in Stafford coun-
ty, and boarded the sos A. NJ. northern
train at Elba Station. He said he was
going to Fredericksburg to visit some
friends. and would then return to New
port News. where. he said. he had
secured g permanent position as a clerk
in the Chesapeake and Ohio Offices
Searcev has been an admirable prisoner,
Itiiu llcNeI illSScu IL I'd lIOill NolA Sioh
ing mis- entire term.
JOINED THE CHURCH.
He professed religion early in his term.
and gave the management of the prison
absolutely no trouble. This credited him
with more than q year, which, was. de-
Quoted from his term, hence his early
release from the prison. He seemed to
have plenty of money yesterday, and
said he had been we'll paid for his work
by the Davis Boot and Shoe Company,
where he acted in the capacity OF a
L clerk during most of his term
i Searcey would say absolutely nothing
T. concerning the famous Aqua Creek
hold-up, which was so bold as to startle
the whole State. Neither would he say
4 word about his old friend Nlorganf1eld.
who. it will be recollected. has often
threatened to kill Searcey for turning
States evidence upon him at the trial.
WORN. AND HAGGARD.
Searcey looked haggard and pale from
his long confinement, and his once brown
hair is now slightly tinged with gray
He wore a serious look, though it could
I1. be called sullen. He was warm in
his praise Of the treatment accorded him
at the penitentiary, and thanked all the
officers and guards personally who were
on duty yesterday morning. and left his
oesl wishes for the rest. He was clad in
a neat suit of black. and when released
"
where he waited nearly an hour for his
train. He talked pleasantly with those
who approached him on all subjects save
the two mentioned above. but appeared a
little restless until his train left. as if he
still apprehended that at the last moment
s. netting might rise up to stand between
Lin and the freedom for which he had
lorSed so many, many years.
FELT MUCH SAFER.
He breathed sigh of relief as he slipped
ito the car and waved pleasant fare
we'll to those who had engaged him in
conversation about the station. If Scar
ccy intends to locate at Newport News,
as he says, this blasts the theory that he
forged to return to his aged mother in
Texas, who has written many pathetic
letters here seeking his pardon There
ere several sggestions concerning the
proba bility Of his mission North One is
tfat instead of stopping in r'redericks-
| burg Searcey went through to Washing
ton, and will from there proceed to Texas.
It is argued that it does not appear rea-
sora bic that the man would locate in
Newport News under his own name, when
| it is openly said that he is wanted for
| crime in another State