Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1903-10-03
TROUBLE At THE CIRCUS !
A Tough Gang of Followers.
: Deputy Sheriff Hearthway
Knocked Stiff With a Black
Jack.-Showman in Jail.

@N~oS
Saturday and gave two very good per-
formances. There is no complaint
about the quality of the performances.
for they were all that could be expected
of twenty-five cent show, but there
has been considerable complaint because
IF the numerous swindlers who belong
to the aggregation and who worked
every imaginable fake game to get
money out Of our people. even going SO
far as to knock down and rob people
and to nearly kill deputy sheriff. The
followers of this circus were the
toughest crowd that ever struck Snow
Hill. We have no complaint and no
kick because of the little games some of
our people ran up against and tried to
get the best of, these fake games
should not have been allowed, but when
one of our people attempts to play them
and looses, he ought to do like the
Berlin man did last Sunday when he
bought small paper tube containing a
twenty dollar note from one of the
Snowman. At least he thought the
Snowman was giving him twenty
dollars for his five, for he stood by aud
saw the man put the twenty in the
little paper tube. When he went off by
himself and proceeded to take his
twenty dollars that he bought for five
dollars out of the tube. and found the
tube was empty. he turned as pale as
Banquo's ghost, but he was game. He
gasped, "My God, I'm stuck!' That
all the kick he made. he knew he was a
fool for expecting to get twenty dollars
for five, land he went home wiser man.
Several of the gang of showmen tried
changing game. One would want
change for ten dollars and then claim
he only received nine dollars, but it did
not work with our merchants. At the
show grounds it was a rare thing for a
man to receive the right change when
he paid for anything. and some OF the
showmen came near getting their eyes
bunged for their rascality. but had the
good sense to give back the right change
rather than get in trouble before night.
During the evening performance
William Richardson, young white
man Of this town, heard some one call
out "catch him!' He started in run to
see what was the trouble. He had his
pocket book containing five dollars in
his hand, one of the showmen grabbed
for his pocket book, but Richardson
held on to it like grim death. The
Snowman then slashed his hand with a
knife and Richardson yelled "murder!"
Bailiff White heard his cries for help
and started for him. firing his pistol in
the air a couple of times to frighten off
the robber. Constable Hearthway was
close behind, and, as he started to run
pulled out his pistol. He had not made
many steps, however, before he was
knocked senseless by blow on the
back of his head. Steve Carter was
standing nearby watching develop
ments, when he saw Hearthway struck,
and as he saw HIM fall, the thought
occurred to him that Hearthway was
dead, and it would be necessary to pro-
duce the man who inflicted the blow
He quietly followed the man into a
crowd of the showmen, looked good at
his face; heard him tell his pals that he
had downed one of the officers, land was
going to get the other one before he left
town. Mr.. Hearthway was unconscious
for some minutes. When an examina-
ton of him was made it was ascertain.
ed that he had been struck with black
jack on the back of the head, and an
ugly wound was the result. He was
able to be out part of the day Sunday,
but later had to take to his bed and has
been quite sick since.
On Monday Carter went with officer
White to Berlin to identify the assailant
of Hearthway. 1t was nearly five
O'clock in the afternoon when the man
was spotted, as he kept himself scarce
thought the coast was clear.
Deputy Sheriff Henry L. Bell arrested
the manspoinJed out by Carter, and he
was brought,to Snow Hill and placed in
Jail. Before the train left Berlin the
friends of the man in the gang were
talking rather ugly and it was feared
there would be trouble in Berlin if the
show was given at night, so Mr..
and his aids, protesting regret
for the doings of the gang employed by
them, and believing it better not to give
an evening performance. had the tents
struck and che circus belongings loaded
OH cars for their better projection in
case any of their men should commit
overt acts. and bring the wrath of the
pODulace down upOn the whole outfit