The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-07-29
Strife Between County Officers
and Police Is On.
Sheriff and Chief at Swords
Points Saturday Night.
WAS OVERJESS COLYER
He'd Been Arrested for RObbing
Ke.th's Drug Store.
There Was Plenty Of Trouble
as to His Custody.

Jess Colyer, the negro vino is under
errest on suspicion of having burg
larized and set fire to the Keith drug
store at 4O4 Kansas avenue, was the
bone of contention between the re-
spective heads of the police and
sheriff's departments. At the end of
round three, the sheriff's claim pre-
vailed, and the wanted negro was
landed behind the bars OF the county
Jail.
When Colyer was picked up early
Friday morning, a few minutes after
the fire was discovered, it was purely
on suspicion, but later developments
branded him as the fall guy. COL
yer had peen held nearly thirty hours
on nothing but suspicion, when he
tipped his own hand by attempting to
escape. He asked to be taken to $50
jackson street, and Detective Judkln
was sent with him He was also &C
ccmpanied by Judge Joseph Reed,
who had been engaged to defend him.
The alleged purpose of the trip was
to get money to pay his attorney re-
tainer. Upon reaching the house at
$40 Jackson, which is inhabited by
negro women, Colyer asked rev
words in private with the women.
This was granted by the officer, who
was particular to take a position
which cut off the prisoners retreat,
unless he chose to jump from sec
ond story window. This is Just what
Colyer did, and the officer, startled by
a loud crash of breaking glass and a
shout from one of the women, rushed
in the room in time to see Colyer dive
out head first. Thinking that the
negro would be injured so badly that
he could be recaptured, Judkins ran
out of the building but the bird had
flown. Judkins reported at once to
the police station, and Chief Eaton,
Detective Summers and officer Pal
mer started out on the hunt
Detective Summers knew some of
searching party directly to 2O7 East
Seventh street, the home of Colyer's
sweetheart. Here, while searching the
pl emiSes, they found Colyer hiding
under the bed in the room where his
friend was ironing.
Colyer had changed greatly since he
left the police station, a seemingly
harmless negro who loudly protested
his innocence This time he was wild
with rage and fright, and attacked
Chief Eaton. who tried to drag him
out from his hiding place. Officer
Bcbbie Palmer landed on Colyer and
choked him into submission and he
was hauled to the police station and
locked in a cage. Detective JudkinS
entered the cage later on to search the
prisoner, but Colyer attacked him
with the fury of wild man. The de-
tective knocked him down with a
blow of his fist and then proceeded to
search him. The search Melted $45.
trif1e less than the amount stolen
from the drug store. Frank Keith,
pI oprietor of the place, identified the
money as his by a torn bill which he
had noticed among his cash. He had
previously spoken of this ragged bill,
and the officers think they have a sure
case. even should Colyer repudiate the
confession he made after being
searched and subdued. The money
was found sewed in a false pocket in
his trousers leg.
The Officers Clash.
It was after this jamboree with Col
yer that the real trouble began.
Parole Officer Caldwell, of the state
reformatory at Hutchinson, upon
hearing of the arrest of Colyer, came
to see about it. Colyer was but re-
Gently paroled from that institution.
Caldwell was at the police station
during the turmoil occasioned by Col
yer's recapture and search, and as he
went away said: He is a candidate
for the pen. Send him there. We
don't want him back if you will con-
Wet him.
Shortly after o'clock Sheriff wilkerson
called at the police station to get Colyer.
DR.. H H. Keith. brother of the Droprie-