Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1907-04-11
FIVE Minutes
IN PRISON

edy'in which the star performer was
citizen of West Hemlock township, ar
rested for uon-payment of taxes
Among Others in the cast were the tax
receiver of West Hemlock aud Officer
John Grier Voris of this city, who ap-
peared iii the dual role Of policeman
| and deputy tax collector.
The affair was the sequel of the bad
faith and artful dodging that is Sc
commonly practced by individuals
who desire to avoid the payment of
taxes and the outcome should prove a
warning to mauy others. The dei.nqu
ent citizen was Thomas Tanner,
we'll known resident of West Hemlock
townhsip. The tax receiver figuring in
the case was T. NJ WintersteeD, whose
trials aud tribulationS are ideutita
witt those of the average Official who
makes conscientious effort Il cDl'e"t
all the taxes.
The tax receiver alleges that he gave
Tanner, the man arrested, every Op-
pOrtunity to pay his tax. which
amounted to 81. 55-that Tanner plead
ed the want of funds, Notwithstanding
that he was employed on "a asw mill
that he repeatedly promised to pty his
tax as soon as he received the money
but never fulfilled his promise, even
refusing to give an order GU his EN-
ployer for the amount. Forbearauce
finally ceased to be virtue and Mr.
Wintersteen lie id ed t. make an ex
ample of Mr.. Tauner. Availin. him
self of the authority, which un Ter the
law is vested in him as tax receiver,
he performed the act of arrest himself,
| taking the man into custody for refus-
ing to pay his tax.
Having apprehended MI Tanner
with the authority of the law the next
step was to place him in prison. Tan
ner was by no means averse to taking
a trip to town aul went along
readily enough. Reaching town the
tax receiver with his prisoner was
walking up Mill street and had reach
ed point opposite the City hotel.
when Tanner stopped short aui said
| he would not go to jail.
The tax receiver was amazed at such
contempt for authority and told him
that he would have to 60 along-that
he was arrested Tanner still demur-
red and finally to show his contempt
for the whole proceedings turned:and
coolly walked away.
1t was new situation for the tax
receiver and for moment he was at a
loss to know what to do. Finally. how
ever, he rushed over to city hall, where
he found Officer Voris, whom he ap-
prised that a prisoner had escaped
and begged that lie assist in the recap
ture.
The officer after learning the cir
cumstances Informed Mr.. Wintersteen
that in the premises he did not think
he had authority to make arrest. There
was one way out of it and to ubviate
all danger of illegality it was decided
to swear in Officer Voris as deputy tax
receiver of West Hemlock township, in
which capacity he was to effect the ar
rest of the delinquent Tanner aud
march him off to iail.
1t was only the matter of a few mo-
ments. Justice of the Peace Dalton
administered the necessary oath and
in less than no time the assistant p)-
lice of the borough of Danyille and the
deputy tax receiver of West Hemlock
township, both comprised in one per-
sonage and commanding blue uniform,
might have been seen circulating on
North Mill street on a still hunt for
Mr.. Tanner.
10 make long story short the man
was found in one of the hotels and
was taken into custody. He was given
another chance to settle with the tax
receiver, but he renewed his tactics
and was taken to Jail.
He was full of bravado when he was
committed He handed over to Sheriff
Williams pocket knife aud kew
which seemed to be the only worldly
possessions he had on his person, with
the characteristic and resolute remark
We'll, l am here to stay
The sheriff turned the lock in the
door, which made the man from West
Hemlock prisoner in the county Jail,
while Officer Voris and the tax re-
ceiver started down town.
Tanner was locked up at 10 O'Clock.
Five minutes later he raised a big out
cry. the import ofwhich was that he
wanted the sheriff.
When the latter appeared Tanner
made the fact known that he wanted
to get out. He was willing to settle
and had the money ready to hand ov-
er. The officer and the tax receiver
were still in hailing distance aud the
sheriff called them back.
by this time $2S5 in the form of
costs had accrued and the news was
gently broken to Tanner that instead
of $3.50, the amount of tax which
would originally have satisfied the tax
receiver, the price of liberty was now
more than double that amount. This
was discouraging, but it did not deter
| Mr.. Tanner, who wanted TO get out as
badly as ever. The rest is easily told.
Mr.. Wintersteen got his tax and Mr.
Tanner got his liberty. The costs also
were handed over to the proper auth
critics. The delinquent citizen of West
Hemlock, it is true. paid pretty dear
ly, but then experience is worth some
thing.
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