Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1903-04-28


the command of black criminal Sun
day afternoon as, with uplifted axe and
eyes blazing with rage and fury, he
confronted Mrs. Glenwell Dodson and
her brother, Mr.. Coley Lewis, at the
Dodson residence, which he had just
burglarized, the unexpected appear
ance of the two upon the scene thus
interfering with his work.
For moment the negro glared at
Mrs. Dodson and Mr.. Lewis ana then,
with cleaning axe still uplifted over
their heads he slowly backed off the
verandah and escaped with valuable
booty.
The crime was the boldest ever per-
petrated in AmerIcus, and the wonder
is that murder did not follow.
But the scoundrel was not to long
enjoy his freedom, AmerIcus has an in
trepid marshal and Sumter a sheriff in
vincible, and soon Bell and Feagin,
the officers who capture more criminals
than any two in southwest Georgia,
had found clue and were upon the
trail of Charles Harris, a black desper-
ado and former convict.
And within an hour they not only
found Harris but the stolen goods as
well, worth probably $500 or $4O0
Harris is in the county jail, after
freely confessing not only this bastard
Iy crime bnt another recently commit
ted here as well.
Sunday afternoon all the members of
the Dodson household were attending
the memorial exercises, the residence
being securely locked. Mrs. Glen
Dodson and brother, Mr.. CoIey Lew
is, returned first and, after leaving the
buggy at the rear entrance, entered the
back verandah, Mrs. Dodson leading
the way. Just as she reached the hall
door Harris sprang out and confronted
them.
At sight of Mr.. Lewis the negro
raised an axe and threatened to strike
if the young man adv anced.
| By this time Mrs. Dodson had faint
ed from fright, and in the prevailing
excitement the negro quickly retreated,
still holding the cleaning axe aloft
and threatening to strike if Mr., Lewis
iuterfered,
The next moment he dashed through
the horse lot and was gone,
Mr.. Lewis quickly telephoned DIR.
Dodson of the affair, and Marshal
Feagin and Officer Barrow went out
and made dilligent search, even going
through,a passenger train at the shops
near by. Mr.. Lewis told them how
the negro was dressed; in a suit of we'll
worn blue overaIls.
But Harris was too rich just then to
think of leaving Americus.
He had stolen valuable gold watch
set with whole pearls, a costly gold
necklace, a pocketbook containing
money, pair gold spectacles, two
pearl handle knives and other articles
of value. He was going in first for a
good time, and Americas was the place
to have it. Whiskey and other ''good
things" were purchased at once.
Harris had a great time Sunday
night with his booze and bakers bus
cult.
Early yesterday morning Bell and
Feagin spotted Harris as the bird wan
ted, They found him out on Elm
Avenue, and had him covered ere
Harris knew of their presence. The
negro wllted and made clean breast
of the robbery. Some Of the stolen
goods were found upon his person,
and very soon every article stolen from
the Dodson home had been found by
Feagin and Bell
Harris not only confesses this bur-
glary, but that of Mr.. Frank Harrold's
residence month ago also. He is a
bad negro, and has but recently served
a changing term for burglary.
Zoo much cannot be said in praise of
Sheriff Bell and Marshal Feagin for
their splendid work, not only in this
case but in numerous others commit
ted here and in which they took life in
their hands in ferreting out the crimi-
nails and making arrests. No city and
county IN the state has officers drawer,
or better qualified to ferret crime and
capture criminals,
Harris will doubtless get long term
for this latest crime. He effected en-.
trance to the Dodson residence by
smashing in the door with on oxo