The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1903-10-21
ARRESTED IN ABBEVILLE.
John Harris, who Killed Policeman
in Atlanta, Arrested Near the city
by Sheriff LvOn and Policemen
johnson and McCIane.
(Atlanta Constitution.)

in Atlanta, Arrested Near the city
by Sheriff LvOn and Policemen
johnson and McCIane.
(Atlanta Constitution)
Abbeville, s. c., Oct 1872 80 a. m. At two
O'Clock this morning Chief John w. Ball, of
John Harris In the Abbeville station as the
slayer of Policeman Hans Drasbach. The OF.
ficers accompanied by their prisoner, leave
Abbevile to-day for Atlanta.
Hans Drasbach, was arrested and placed in
Jail yesterday afternoon at Abbeville, S. G.
The capture was made by Sheriff Lyon. OF
Abbeville, and Policeman Johnson and Nc
Clane, and W. P. Ferguson, on the Ferguson
place, near Abbeville.
Harris acknowledged the crime when ar
rested, and there Is no doubt that the officers
there have the right man.
Chief John w. Ball, of the Atlanta police
force, and Officer Rosser, who knows Harris
well, left for Abbeville last night on the s: 10
O'Clock train Of the Seaboard Air Line, and
will return with the prisoner to-day.
Harris resisted arrest vigorously and made
an attempt 10 cut Sheriff Lyon with q large
knife. 1t was necessary for the officer 10 clu b
the desperate negro into So omission with the
butt OF his pistol before he could secure him.
NEGRO SHOT THURSDAY.
The negro bore marks on his body where
he was shot last Thursday, near Mt. Carmel,
s. G., by James T. Hester, who attempted to
effect his capture. He was not seriously In.
jured by the lead, however, and made bis
way to the Ferguson place, where he was yes
terday caught.
Harris was reared in that neighborhood.
and the people who have him in custody are
positive that he is the man wanted here for
the crime committed Two weeks ago.
Finding himself in a serious scrape, and
closely pursued by the officers of the law,
Harris did what nearly all criminals have
done since the beginning of history-he made
bee line for bis old haunts.
The officers Of Abbeville we're on the look
out for the negro, and were expecting him
among his former associates when they came
upon him.
TRIES TO USE HIS KNIFE.
taken alive, and he lost 20 time In attacking
the sheriff and other officers with his knife
When last seen Harris had pistol, but when
captured he merely attempted to use bis
he used in taking the life OF Policeman Dras
bach, and he came near adding another TO the
list OF his victims. Only by the promptes'
and most energetic action did Sheriff Lyon
ado aimed at his breast. Not expecting such
q reception, the sheriff could not get his gun
into play, and was com mpelled to strike Harris
with 1t simply as club. The second blow o.
the officer landed on the pegro's Uranium
and brought him to his knees. With the aid
OF the Others In bis party, the sheriff dis
armed him and placed handouts on bis
wrists; In this shape Harris was it carried lee
and placed in the county jail, to be held un
til Atlanta officers could be wired to come
and get him.
CONFESSED HIS CRIME.
Finding himself securely locked up, Harris
confessed that he was the man wanted here
He stated that he killed the policeman while
under the influence of whiskey, and laid al
- fN ht hA
that he had been imbibing the evening Of the
murder. With several companions harris
bad been making q round OF the Joints on
Decatur street. and when Drasbach arrested
him he was full Of the vile fire-water and his
passions got the better Of his judgment. The
murderer appears stolid and Indifferent Il
his fate. and made no attempt TO deny hls
tden tity when the officers came upon him.
James T. Hester, who shot Harris last Thurs
day, came near making the capture and get
ting the reward for the arrest OF the negro
He saw him passing, and knowing who be
was, he secured his gun and overlook him
When he called upon him to surrender, Har
ris ran. Hester fired at him. but the shot did
not take effect sufficiently to stop the fleeing
distance from Mount Carmel TO the Ferguson
place, where he was arrested, and the negro
made 1t on foot. 1t took him about two days
TO walk the distance separating the two
places.
CHIEF BALL IN ABBEvILLE.
Immediately upon receipt Of the news thai
Harris was under arrest at Abbeville Chic
Ball and Policeman Rosser took the train fol
that point to bring him to Atlanta. 1t Is MOI
likely that the negro will make any lega
objection to returning TO Georgia with them
and they will arrive here this morning. AL
connected with the matter are positive tha,
the end OF the long and dlligent search for the
noted criminal has been reached, and thai
the man at the South Carolina town Is the
one 80 badly wanted. For two weeks every
known method has been used TO get track Of
Harris, and officers at every place in the
south where there is telegraph station or @
postofice had received descriptions of him
and request that he be watched for and
captured. The South Carolina officer will
obtain the reward OF $500 that was offered by
the city of Atlanta and the state Of Georgia
The finish that comes to the man convicted
OF murder in cold blood will rapidly overtake
Harris when he Is turned over to the courts
Of this state.
The following telegram from Abbeville tells
Of the capture OF Harris.
Abbeville, S. G.. October 1S.-(Special.,
John Harris, colored, was put in Jail by
Sheriff Lyon today, being the man who killed
Policeman Drasbach in Atlanta not long ago
He was arrested by Sheriff Lyon, Policemen
Johuson and McClane and w. p. Ferguson
on the Ferguson place near the city.
He acknowledged the crime and charged II
to whiskey. He was reared in this county
and has been on the chain gang in Atlanta
Harris was shot last Thursday near Noun,
Carmel by James T. Hester, who attempted
to capture him but was only slightly hurt.