The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-03-03
A PRISONER ESCAPES
WESLEY GILCHWTsT. A NEGRO,
 BREAKS AWAY FROM BALLET.
Convicted of Embexziement, He Makes Dash for Liberty and RuDs Through . Church--News
 0f G-ourts.


 trial until convicted by jury of charge of embezzlement in the criminal di- vision of the City Court yesterday, Wesley Gilchrist. negro about se years old, tore away from Bailin ". D. Whiting as he was being led across inc street from the court building to the county jaii and with the handcuns still fastened about his wrists, made his escape.
 Although his guard immediately gave the alarm, and officers made a careful search of the neighborhood. up until late hour last night no trace of the escaped prisoner dad been found, It Ia thought he succeeded in freeing him. self from the handcuffs and has left the city.
 The daring escape was made about o'clock last evening, just after the court had adjourned for the day. For several hours Gilchrist had been on trial, the charge being tho enbezzle- inert of a horse. After the jury retired at the close of the case, all but the officers of the court left the building. When the jury returned to the conrt room and announced its verdict, Bailim whiting slippsd the handcuffs on Gill christ's wrists and left the building for the county jail across the street. A few seconds later the voice of the bailiff was heard giving the alarm. When the officer reached the pavement
 
 sudden wrench, tore away from his GUS | toaian. and dashed south on Lawrence Street. Some boys standing at the l corner of Lawrence and Adams street declared that the fugitive entered st Peters Catholic Church. From that l point all trace of him was lost | When the baiiifg's alarm was first ! heard. Judge William H. Thomas and 1 several others who were in the court I room hastened to tho front of the build ing. A telephone message was imne- i diate,y sent to the police station and | mounted ~poIicemeu were hurried to the I spot careful and minute search of the church building, in which the ofii- ! csrs were assisted hy Rev. Father Den- 1 his Savage. failed to reveal any trace I of the missing man. It is thought by l the police that Gilchrist. after entering
 the building, found his way out at the I rear and escaped through an alley. | This .s the second time Gilchrist mas escaped from cfIicers Of the law. Four l years ago he was undeS trial for grand | larceny. On the morning his case was | called in court lie secured a delay for several hours until three witnesses. i supposed to be favorable 10 his ease, | could be brought into court Two of l them testified, ana their testimony was so damaging that Gilchrist's conviction l seemed certain. At that stage of the proceedings adjournment was taken un- ! til after luncheon. and when court was called for the afternoon session Gill christ had disappeared. He was later l captured. tried and found guilty, serv- | ing sa sentence af a year and day. There seems littlc doubt that the ne- l gro coolly determined upon his escape l during the trial yesterday. While | the return of the jury. was being await I cd he had ample opportunity to make | dash. as little attention was paid to. | hitn. and his hands were not bound l As long as there was possibility of I acquittal, however. the prisoner calmly awaited the verdict. It was only after
 he had been formally found guilty that he made his attempt to evade the law. Two old Cases.
 An interesting case which was be- | fore Judge Thomas yesterday was that | of Berry Stringer. negro, against whom an indictment for grand Iarcen- l cy was made out for stealing a uuanti- | ty of seed cotton. in 1Ss3 Stringer es- capped arrest, and was not apprehend- l ed until several months ago. when l Deputy Sheriff Sam B9Iser arrested ! him in Conecuh County. When the case was called yesterday, 1t was nolle pressed.
 Another case of ancient date was that against Sam Barnes, charged with carrying concealed pistol. The date of the indictment was 1895. When tho case was called, however. investiga- tion showed that all the witnesses for the prosecution had forgotten the cir- eumstanees attending Une charge, and the case was dismissed for want of evidence. The case of John Henderson, charg- | ed with violation of contract. was con tinued generally.
 Joe James, charged with violation of the prohibition laws. pleaded guilty, and was fined $50.
 Two charges are entered against Tom Green. one of assault to murder. and the other of carrying concealed pistol. Both were continued to March 2T.
 The charge of grand iarcency against Harry Hudgins was nolle pressed.
 At the petition of the state, the case agains Willie Johnson, charged with violating the lottery law, was contin- ued.
 A plea 6f misnomer was made in the charge of violation of the prohibition laws. which was entered against Sal- | lie Lucas. the defendant claiming that her name is Martha Lucas. The plea was recognized and the prisoner iN being held, pending indictment by the next grand jury.
 willie Johnson. Archie Wilson and Frank Rochelle. and their sureties, | were each fined SEQ for forfeitins bonds.
 A verdict of not guilty was returnT ed by the jury in the case of Sam War | ren. charged with violatIong the pro- hibition laws.
 Henry Ellis. charged with carrying | concealed pistol, was convicted by the | jury, and fined s1o0. United states Court.
 duF All