Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-06-27
THRILLING ESCAPE
THE SMITHS LEAP FROM A WIN
DOW TO EvADE POLICE.
Reported That "Nan" Patterson's
Counsel Received Letter From
Missing Witness.

A dispatch from Philadelphia last night
says: 50 close are the police OF New York.
Washington and Philadelphia on the track
OF Mr.. and Mrs J. Morgan Smith. who are
wanted In New York a. witnesses In the
case ay inst Nan Patterson for the muir
der of Caesar Young. the bookmaker. that
at midnight the pursuing officers assert
they will have the bev'ftdered fugftives tn
custody before morning.
Tracked to a fashionable boarding house
In Chestnut street. the J. Morgan Smiths
had a thrilling escape rom the police AFTER
they arrived here from, Washington. The
story was only learned today.
Jumped From Window to Adjoining
Roof.
AS ths police entered the front door the
Smiths saw them from window Snatch
ing up their satchels. they leaped from u
rear window to the roof of an adjoining
building. Thence they ran down fire.
escape on the far side OF the building. and
were barely out of sight when the police
forced i'en the door OF the room theg hau
recently vacated
Hiding themselves for the time being In
the house in which they had taken refuge.
the Smit rs then secured board in an Arch
street hC use, ana several Gays Ddlkfou
the police.
Once more they were located and again.
by the narrowest margin, they made their
escape.
Observing from the window of their room
that the police were making house-to-
house canvas of the residences on the far
side of the street. the Smiths. with their
luggage once more in their hands. made a
hasty exit from the rear of their lodging.
and it was only half an hour after they
had departed that policeman rang the
door bell and made inquiries concerning
them
Escape Thought Impossible
BafleJ once more the police have now
spread a dragnet for them throughout the
city, and tonight they say they are grad
ually closing In their quarry and that
escape will be impossible.
Every boarding house, apartment house
and ho,el In this city is under surveillance
Thus the pursuit of the escaping couple
has beea going even since Mr.. ana MIS-.
Smith disappeared from New York.
For many days the two persons District
Attorney Jerome Of New York wants as
witnesses in the Caesar Young case. for
whose shooting Miss Patterson is awaiting
trial IN the tombs, have been leading lie
OF terror. fleeing from city 10 city, from
house to house. always but a few hours
and twice but few minutes ahead or the
innumerable detectives and police set on
their track.
It is relieved that PawnbrokereStern of
9th avenue, New York, has recognized the
ricture OF Smith as that OF the man VINO
LoughI the revolver in the case
The Charge Kept Secret.
The charge in the warrant held for smith
is a secret closely guarded by District Az
torney Jeromes office and the police. II
was given out that they were to be sum-
moned only as witnesses but such SUD-
poena is not extraditable.
If there is not a serious charge resting
against Smith why are the entire police
force Of this city three New York city de-
tectives several Jerome sleuths and Wash
ington detectives on his trail?
On the day of the shooting OF Caesar
Young Nan" Patterson and her sister had
Intended to visit their aged mother. who
was dying in Washington. The arrest of
Miss Patterson prevented her going. ana
the sister. fearing interference from the
officials of New York city, determined to
take no chances and fled to her mothers
house. The police knew of the aged wo-
mans Illness, and Immediately upon the
flight of the couple set a watch upon the
Washington house.
In spite of their vigilance Mr.. and Mrs.
Smith succeeded in getting into the house
unobserved. and were there for day be-
fore their presence was known. Before a
warrant could be served on the couple they
were their way to this city.
Smith Writes Counsel.
J. Morgan Smith. brother-in-law of Nan
Patterson broke his silence yesterday to
inform the counsel of the imprisoned wo-
man that he will testify in her defense. He
has disclosed his whereabouts to her law
yers.
The letter from Smith received by
Philip Waldheimer. associa ted with Levi &
Unger In the defense Of the actress. In 1t
Mr.. Smith writes:
My testimony. given at the trial OF my
sister in-Iaw. 1 believe. will exonerate her.
1 would not submit to the bulldozing meth
DDS Of the district attorneys office. which
were made apparent in the effort to compel
my sister-in-law to become witness be-
fore the grand jury in a secret proceeding.
when at that time she had already been &C
cused of murder in the first degree by the
district attorney.
II did not purchase the revolver from
Stern. and the Identification of my picture
is mistake. This / can readily show by a
perfect alibi when 1t is necessary. l am
ready to come when I am needed In the
meantime there Is no necessity OF ma king
my whereabouts known to the prosecution"
When Nan" Patterson read the letter in
the Tombs she was delighted She said to
Lawyer Waldheimer:
"Nan" Patterson Delighted.
81 know that am innocent of this charge.
cannot understand how 1 ever in
dicted. felt confident that my brother-in-
law would not see me endangered, and he
knows the circumstances as we'll as l do
which will acquit me before a jury. / am
anxiously awaiting the time when can tell
my story Of what happened in that cab"
Mr.. Waldheimer refused to say where
Smith was He added: -''Of course, under
the laws of New York. Mr.. Smith is guilty
of contempt in not obeying the subpoena
to testify before the grand jury, but a body
attachment. now that he is out of the state
is imperative. / am confident that he will
come when he Is needed for the defense"
At the Tombs ii was said that Nan" Pat
terson Is In much better health She eats
her meals regularly and appears cheerful
Panic on Boston Excurojoo Dat