The sun., 1905-08-20
TROUBLES OF THE ACTOIST.
Thumped and Forced to Pay Excessive
Fees by . Country Constable.

From the st. Louis Giobe-Democrot.
st, Louis automobillsts who have recently
toured tho State tell amazing stories Of fee
grabbing stunts on the part Of rural Missouri
of1cials In certain localities, These men.
according to the tourists. have taken ad-
vantage Of the prejudice against motor vehi-
cles prevailing among the farmers to line
their own pockets and make life burden
for the unfortunate automobist from the
city.
James E. Morse of the Halsey Automobile
Company recently made a business trip Tip
the State. 1t was devoid Of casualties or
unusual incidents until just before reaching
Wentzville. There Mr.. Morse, who was
accompanied by Ed Doyle. his machlnist.
was overtaken by drenchng rain. The
machine was stopped. and q farmer sitting
on the piazza Of farmhouse was asked II
the travellers might avail themselves OF the
shelter OF his roof. The farmer swelled
up and ordered them of his grounds and
vigorously denounced them and any one else
who rode In such contrivances.
Glad to get out OF range of his invectives,
the travellers continued their journey to
Jonesburg. in Montgomery county. about
100 miles distant from st. Louis.
The wayfarers took dinner at a hostelry
which is run by one of the town officers. Mr..
Morse says that the meal. for which they
were charged so cents apiece. was all that
could be asked, and that they were royalty
entertained by their host. After paying
their bill, Mr.. Morse was asked II he had a
county license for his automobile. He re-
piled that he had not, but intended taking
out q license at Montgomery. the county
seat.
You're q d. liar retorted the official.
a burly giant over six feet high, according to
Morse. Il am required to collect this county
license. and you bet am going to collect 1t
right here and now.
but agreed to pay the license, asking for
a receipt for his money. The man scrawled
MY dear man. said Mr.; Morse. this is
counties, which includes the 5o-eent fee"
eountss dsH Gsrs $50 Sess his % 2nsr Sest
Morse refused TO- pay it. whereupon. he says.
the minion OF, the law grabbed the receipt
Going to the telephone. he called up the
tns hS ssss st yyes
to pay the license. Morse. who was in hear
ing distance. grabbed the receiver from his
% that he "T refused @ v to pay $3.50 10 Tor a. license.
but did not refuse to buy one at the proper
tn. S ys y6% sae ts fs sF b sh2ssa
and striking him in the face several times.
Morse and his machnist dared not retaliate,
as the man was armed with a revolver.
gathered around by this time. shouting en-
oouragement to the home talent
The hotel man returned to the phone and.
versed with him again, but this Mr.. Morse
could not make out. Coming from the tele-
machinist. A citizen here stepped in and ad-
vised that Morse pay the so and take the
matter up with the MONTGOMERY City authori-
ties This he did and was allowed to 20.
Arriving at Montgomery City. the matter
was laid before the prosecuting attorney.
Morse's testimony was oorroborated by his
back OF his head He was advised by the
prosecuting attorney that there was sy fflcient
could be prosecuted for assault and malfea-
sance In once. as we'll as extortion, which Is
penitentiafy ofYense.