The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-02-25
AMES TO COME
WITHIN 2 WEEKS
This Is the Statement Made by sher-
if Dreger Upon His Return
To-day.
The Former Mayor Physically Weak
but Will Soon Be Able to
Travel.
He Can Be Brought Back, It Is
Thought, Without Aggravat-
ing His Condition.

Former Mayor A A. Ames will be In
Minneapolis by two weeks from to-day
Such at least is the expressed opinion
of Sheriff J. w. Dreger, who returned to
the city this morning from his visit to
the retreat Of the fugitive metropolitan
in New Hampshire. The sheriff had .
very pleasant trip and moreover accom-
plished the object thereof in that he To-
Gated the much wanted man and made all
arrangements for his return after March
s. health permitting. In.speaking Of the
doctors condition to The Journal
this morning the sheriff said:
!. DIR. Ames is physically very sick
man, and do not believe he has long to
live. The disease which is the cause Of
his present condition., and which will, it
is feared, prove fatal, is something more
serious than the ailments mentioned in
DR.. Conn's diagnosis Of the case as pub
lished in this city.
Mentally, the prisoner appeared to me
to be as strong as he ever was. In the
Interviews I had with him he gave every
evidence Of mental activity. He discussed
the situation here; stated that others were
more to blame in the municipal conditions
which existed during his administration
| than he himself, and talked in a manner
which any man not rational never could
have done.
Notwithstanding his serious physical
weakness, my opinion, formed from per-
sonal observation and from consultations
with the various examining physicians, is
that, with the proper care, DR.. Ames can
be brought back to Minneapolis without
any aggravation. Of his illness. II he ira
wells in a stateroom with doctor and "a
| trained nurse in attendance I do not be-
lieVe the prisoners condition would be
injured
Il expect to go after him on March 5
with the intention of bringing him back
| with me. On that date he will be turned
over to me and the authorities there all
| seem to be in favor Of making the move
| and will assist me to the full extent OF
| their power. The ex-mayor himself. Mrs.
Ames and their attorneys naturally oh
| ject to the trip but think their objections
| will be oysrruled, : if there is no change
| for the worse before the time set, and the
! probabilities are that DR.. Ames will be in
Minneapolis inside of two weeks.
1.-THE prisoner was very nice to me and
insisted that he was anxious to return to
| this city but maintained that his physical
condition would not pc nit Of the journey.
He was very courteous to all Of the Off
/ ciAls and to the doctors who made ex-
1 an1ination OF his case. Mrs. Alnes is the
/ worst one to handle and she is bitterly
opposed to the bringing OF her husband
1 back. She stoutly maintains that he is
innocent of any wrong doing and states
THAT it is a crime to have him moved
| about the country for no cause whatever
and though the persecution by the former
| MAYORS old friends and present enemies.
! From the newspaper accounts In the
| New Hampshire towns it '; Jillds seem that
Sheriff Dreger and the c+icials.s of Hills
borough county formed a mutual admir-
alton society and the Minneapolis official
bears out this impression In his states
ments Of the treatment accorded him.
/ II never was given a better reception in
4 NV life remarked Mr.. Dreger. Sheriff
Nathaniel Doane of Hillsborough county
was especially courteous to me and all OF
his assistants followed his lead. Every
service possible was rendered me and In
every way my mission was forwarded by
these men. The governor Of the state.
the lieutenant governor and in fact all OF
the public officials could not have been
nicer and appreciate the efforts OF all
of them"