The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-03-14
Webb Linn Is Man Who Invent
ed New Version of "Snipe
Hunting Prank
Is NABBED IN KENTUCKY
ALONG WITH HIS BROTHER
He Carried Some Innocent Officers to
Mine to Search for Gold and
While There Made
His Escape.

Webb Linn, the hero of the "Pot of
Cold escapade, a man wanted in Bir-
mingham on many and various charges,
is back in the county jail again, and prob
ably thinking of some new scheme to
break away from the authorities.
1t will be remembered that Linn escaped
during the last month of Sheriff Bur-
gins term, and that the circumstances
caused quite "a sensation Later the grand
jury found indictments against Curtis
Shugart, Deputies Collier and Mccoy,
charging them with aiding a prisoner to
escape.
Brother Is Also Caught
When found in Nortonville, KY, Webb
was with his brother, Chester, who is also
wanted here almost as badly as Webb
They had been working in the mines of
the Nortonvlle Coal company and had
been exceedingly quiet, using assumed
names. and having nothing to do with
anyone.
Sheriff Higdon has, during his term Of
office. paid especial attention to seek
Ing escaped prisoners and had spread oe-
scrptions of the Linn boy in every di-
rection, and himself worked day and
night on the case. Tuesday they were
recognized and placed under arrest by
Deputies Ferguson and Blanks of the
Kentucky county. Both admitted their
names and offered no resistance
However, according to Ferguson, Webb
tried to work the rabbit foot ON him that
night. lie said that while he was watch
ing the prisoners in the county Jail during
the morning, Webb approached him and
very politely offered him $25 TO open the
Jail doors and let him run Off He even
explained how the escape could be
smoothed over, but Mr.. Ferguson stood
firm and would listen to no arguments.
spot Of Gold" Episode.
The story of the Pot of Gold" was
quite a unique one in the annals Of the
| county. Linn claimed very loudly that
he had buried a treasure in a mine on
the other side of North Birmingham. He
is said to have been SO persistent In his
clamis that some began to take interest,
and finally one evening In December he
left Big Rock" accompanied by three
men, two of them being officers, for the
alleged hiding place of his fortune
Later the trio returned without their
prisoner and stated that they had entered
the mine and that while rambling around
in it, Linn had made his escape. They
said he had turned quickly in a hidden
passage and had eluded all pursuit. The
mine was one of those with several en-
frances and Webb was no more seen at
the Jail.
one of the deputies had offered s25 re-
ward and told Deputy Ferguson yester-
day that he mad spent several thousand
dollars in vain attempt to recover him.
The deputies left Nortonville yesterday
and arrived here last night Against
Webb were docketed three charges, as
sault with intent to murder. carrying con-
cealed weapons and violating the revenue
law Chester was also wanted for one Of
these charges, it is alleged, as well as
for DESERVING the United States army
Are Carefully Guarded.
When incarcerated the solicitor gave
Sheriff Higdon strict orders TO keep them
locked In a cell and to allow no one to
speak a single word to either of them.
The object of this is to allow a thorough
investigation previously to see If some
light may be thrown upon the guilt or
innocence of the parties who went with
him to the mine.
The whole sheriff's office is overjoyed
that the jail bird is once more In his
cage They are determined that he shall
never go out of the jail again without
the proper papers and authority. Both
the Linn boys will be given temporary
hearings shortly.