The Saint Paul globe., 1904-06-24
THINK THEY HAVE
SLAYER OF HARRIS
Washington CountyAuthorities
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Bring Suspect. to St.
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Heavily manaeled and guarded by
Sheriff Oscar. Ostrom, of Washington
county, and a deputy from Saltwater,
man claiming to be c.. A. Smith,
barber of Minneapolis, was brought into
st. Paul last night and taken to the
central police station on suspicion of
being the murderer of Sheriff Harris. Of
st. Croix county, Wis.
The man was picked UP by the
washington county officials at Still
water Junction late yesterday after
noon, but when he strenuously asserted
that he was Minneapolis barber and
not Montana bandit they decided to
take him to the Twin Cities for investi-
cation before turning him over to the
Wisconsin authorities.
"Take me over rto Hudson, I'm not
afraid of being able to prove I'm not
the man wanted there" declared Smith
If you come oyer to Minneapolis / can
identify myself@ite your satisfaction
Aid. Powers knows me well, and if you
go with me to him hell assure you I'm
no bandit" as1
Police Think He's Not the Man
After an examination of Smith, Capt.
John Clark said he was not the man
wanted in Wisconsin. The appearance
of Smith, of Minneapolis, corresponded
most remarkably with that of Smith. Of
Montana, however, his size, figure and
even facial expression being somewhat
similar to descriptions and photographs
of the bandit on file at police headouar-
ters. Smith, of Minneapolis, did not
tally exactly with the Bertillon meas
urements, and other marks Of identifi-
cation of Smith, of Montana, however,
and the local police gave out the opin-
lon that he was not the right man.
The Washington county officials were
not convinced, however, and took away
thelr prisoner, saying that they would
compel him to furnish satisfactory
proof in Minneapolis that he resided
there, and that he had not been in Wis
consin.
Smiths account of his whereabouts
during the past four days proved very
unsatisfactory to his captors. and
strengthened their suspicion that he
was the man for whom all Wisconsin
is up in arms.
Smiths Explanation
leIL minneapolis three days ago
while drunk" said Smith to the police.
L went to Mendoza, and from there I
walked to Hastings. I was at Hast
lngs Wednesday night. This morning
took train and rode as far as AZ
ton, and from there I walked to Still
water Junction, where these men ar
rested me-" 1st
Saltwater Junction experienced a
sensation when Smith trudged In yes
terday afternoon, footsore, and much
the worse in personal appearance as a
result Of his long walk in hot weather
and rain. Information was Immediate
ly sent to Saltwater that a man who
might be Harris murderer was in
sight. Sheriff Ostfom, with a deputy,
lost no time in taking g. train and get
ting to Saltwater Junction, where they
found Smith still tarrying
Expecting to- meet bullets. the off,
GERS approached Smith cautiously and
were surprised when he made to at
tempt to get away. When ne said his
name was Smith, the Washington
county officials thought they had sure
ly bagged their game
With many protests Smith accom-
panied them to house in the village
where he submitted to sweat box in
quiry. When he told his story of walk
ing from Mendoza and his subsequent
movements his eaptors winked their
eyes. But Smith declared so strongly
that he could be identified in Mime
apolis that the officers finally consented
to give him chance to show them.