The Washington times., 1905-01-01
PRISONER TAKEN
FROM JAIL FOR
CONCEA[hIInT
Alleged AssaiIant of Alex
andrla Woman Hidden
by Sheriff.
FEARS ANGRY CITIZENS
ut
FEARS ANGRY CITIZENS
Refused Asylum in Wash
ington Police Station.
Guilt Doubted.

John Dempsey. alias John Longstreet,
under arrest for an alleged attempted
criminal assault upon Miss Esther Pey-
eril and Miss BeuIah EbaEgh. WIS si,ar-
lied away from the Alexandria county
Jail last night by Sheriff Palmer. al
most under the eyes OF a Eaaddenei clti-s
zenry. and carried by him through the
country TO a safe place of eoncealnae9at
There he viii be kept during the night.
This was the story tkat came at
O'Clock this morning from tie county
Jail at Falls Church. It was told a re-
porter OF The Times by the jaiier with
every guarantee OF It's entire truth
Previous reports and xeII-founded st.s-
pici0ns were TO the effect that Dempsey
had been taken TO Fairfax courthouse
anc there incarcerated, far from any
danger of law.ess violence
Fears Mob.
For Sheriff Palmer began TO fear the
fury OF the mob. There had been nc
unseemIy gatherings or openIy ex-
pressed threats. but there was an an
dercurrent Of animosity against Demp-
sey that boded him no good
The fact that the girl had not been
able positively to identity him did not
still the mutterings- She had made
partial identification, and to the angry
and even desperate friends of herself
and her family this seemed enough
So at least thought Sheriff Palmer.
and he was determined to take no
chances He understands the restive-
ness and uncertainty OF the mob spirit,
and that from condition OF quiescence
it springs in an angry moment into un-
controlled and brutal rage
On in Wagon.
Between and O'Clock last night
two-seated trap was driven 10 the jail
door and in the black darkness Dempsey
was brought out between two deputies
and placed in this vehicle. He seemed
TO be apprehensiye OF danger and 70
feel safer IN the hands of me officers
than anywhere else
The trap drove on into tre JarkneSs
There was no one about TO follow and It's
ultimate destination was not discovered
Jailer Collins delivered The prisoner
to the sheriff upon the request OF Crsz-.
dali NaeESx Commemorative attoa aey
for Alexandria county The officers i1e-
neve in the mans innoceIlea and they
are unwilling TO take any enaneas OF
harm befaIling him They insist TIE
crime was committed by a negro.
1t was said at the jail 1haJ Desnpsey
would be brought back there chls mora
ing The only purpose was 10 keep nm
over night
Refused Asylum
Sheriff Palmer, OF Alexandria county.
last night requested The police OF the
Seventh precinct 10 alIoW Dempsey 10
be brought TO Washington and locked up
in the Georgetown station, as NOD vlo-
lence was feared TIE oesk sergeant
communicated with Captain BoardmaIl.
who in tarn asked Major Sylvester II
the man could be brought 10 Nasning-
ton for safe keeping MAJOR Sylvestec
answered N the negative
The sheriff was acquainted with the
fact that Dempsey could not be brought
here, and ii was suggested that he De
taker to Richmond The Virginia au-
thorities replled that they d4a not care
to go TO that expense, as they believed
the prisoner innocent, bur were holding
him for further investigation. They
say they are confident thslt a negro GEM
mitted the assault.