The Clarksburg telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1874-1926, 1903-01-09
George Thompson Swears Out War.
rant Charging Constable Mitchell
and Two Specials With Intimi-
dating Voters at the Election
in Salem New Years Day.
They Had Gone to Serve Forty Warrants and
Nab VioIatorsWere Released on Bond---
Much Excitement Reigned.

There is always more or less excite
ment at elections held in country
towns and for that matter IN cities.
The past several years this condition
has existed at Salem and there have
been some very warm municipal cleo
tion days in that town, notwithstand-
ing the severity OF the weather, but
New Years day was more exciting
than any of them.
The appearance Of Constable ID. L.
Mitchell and Special Constables H. w.
Mitchell and A. B. Rohrbough upon
the scene put many TO guessing and
4 had more or less effect en- the election
results. The officers were armed with
forty warrants issued from time to
time against alleged violators OF the
law in that town. The idea was that
every one would be out to vote and
the officers would have an opportunity
to nab them. They had not been
there a great while until they arrested
Jack Lynch, drunk, in Duff's speak
easy. They took him to the town
lookup and incarcerated him. Then
they went upon the street again but
returned to the town prison at the
noon hour to behold one end of the
prison torn out and the prisoner no
longer there He had effected his es-
cape and gone whittier the officers
knew not and failed to find out.
The officers turned TO the streets
and sauntered around. They were
told that there were parties who
wanted to vote but that they were
afraid to come on the street, lest the
officers arrest them. Mitchell in his
meanderings went to Squire James
Bumgardner's Office and incidentally
dropped in to pay the Justice a visit.
The Magistrate greeted him but kept
at his work OF issuing warrant.
Mitchell finally told him his name and
his business. The Squire then in
formed him that he was issuing war
rant agai,ist him. Pefore the csuver
sation ended the warrant was prepared
so as To call for the arrest OF not only
Constable Mitchell but the special
cpnstables as well. They were all ar
rested at o'clock by Constable j. E.
Sutton and taken before the Squire.
They wanted to waive examination
and give bond but the Justice pre-
ferred to try the case. However, it
was arranged that they go on their
own recognizance until O'Clock In
order to give the Magistrate time to
consider the case, but they were not
released, they say, until they had
promised not to make any arrests be-
fore 4 o'clock. 1t was soon noised
abroad that they had agreed not TO
make arrests and there followed an
outpouring or people from the cellars
and ante-rooms. These fellows, said
to be more than twenty strong, rushed
TO the polls and voted and then disap-
4 peared. It is not definitely known
whether they voted the temperance
ticket or not but it is reasonable to
infer from the circumstances that
they did not.
At o'clock a big crowd gathered at
the Magistrates ofiice to watch the
outcome OF the trial. Justice Bum
gardner had concluded to permit them
TO waive examination and after an
nouncing that conclusion he accepted
bond OF $500 each from them. Salem
citizens went on their bonds.
The warrant was sworn out by
George Thompson. 1t accused them
OF arresting .'Jack" Lynch and In
timidating voters.
AS they boarded the night train TO
return TO their homes here. Harry Nc
Cleary and s.Dutchy" Shoefelt got on
but McCleary evidently snufied some
thing iE the wind and got on. Shoe
felt was arrested and brought to jail.
Aunointed Notary