The Washington herald., 1908-01-20
THRONG AT STATION
TO WELCOME KEMP
Continued from Page One.

was Itulng IN railway tram en- route 10
New Orleans. In all my life ] had not be-
fore been away from home on Christmas
Day. I would gladly have turned back
then, but was unable 60 do So ] had little
money; only enough TO carry me to my
destination
The day following my arr I Iva New
Orleans | recognized several ncrsons ]
had known in Washington, bpltr lade no
attempt 20 hide myself ! 4. M little
whether was arrested or no, ntil spent
most of my time wandering e IT the
city, taking in the sights. Octnupnall
| made trips 10 the race track gg! C.
gagged in no betting I was almC oYitl
out funds. for one reason, and 'ood
desire 10 engage in the sport
Kemp said he knew J. l.. 81.
formerly a member Of the Washed
police force was a frequenter o
race track there, bur no made no al
TO avoid him. he said ON the d'"
his arrest January 10 the desire tju
turn to Washington appealed 20 him
strongly than It had since the day be
Christmas
Il went 20 the race track that af
noon because I had no other place
spend my time, said Kemp, as he
approaching Washington. Il was lear
against pole near the grand s.
watching the strange faces pass me, ana
pondering over the thought Of surrender
ing myself Ia the New Orleans police.
When the detective approached me j
made no attempt 10 deny my identity,
] was indifferent. I said I was the James
Arthur Kemp who was sought by the
Washington police.
Police Were Not Sure.
Even after had been taken TO police
headquarters the New Orleans officials
were not sure they had the right man.
although Brennan Identified mo, They
were unable 90 Identify me by the pic
ture on the circular Offering $500 reward
for my arrest. When they realized they
had the right man. however they did
everything In their power to make me
comfortable. ] was given the best ven-
ulated cell room, and furnished with
new blankets"
Kemp's attitude toward the Washing
ton police was clearly shown by an in
cident while he was IN prison in New
Orleans. A doorman or turnkey. who
overheard Kemp talking with persons
who asked for an interview, interrupted
the conversation and made an attack
on the Washington police force, openly
asserting its members were not making
an effort o. appreheHd The abscondng
clerk. Kemp is said to have rebuked
the intruder.
Regardless OF my situation, : was
angered at the remarks the man made.
said Kemp yesterday on the train Dur
ing my twenty-three years service Ia
different capacities in the Washington
police department learned OF what
stuff the men were made.
so far as I am aware, 7 met none Of
The members of the police force Of Wash
inEton in the time that ] was travelling
about the country I do not believe any
OF them saw me. for I know II they had
they would have placed me under arrest.
They are not the sort 20 pass by a pris-
ouer. They are good. honest policemen.
Il believe, however, / could have evaded
arrest While 90 New Orleans I became
acquainted with the manager Of large
plantation in one Of the remote countries
OF South America. He persuaded me 20
go 20 the place, and assured me ] could
obtain excellent employment as an over
seer If I had reached the place. 7 doubt
If l would have ever been arrested
His Chance to Escape.
a few hours before my arrest ] had
"a long talk with the cWuer of a plantd-
ton iu the baakw0ods Of louisiana He
was destrous of employing a carc-taker
He was wealthy and willing 10 give me
a position which would carry with it
handsome compensation. refused his
offer however. 7 had u0 desire 20 run
away then. 7 wanted 20 return 70 Wash
ingtou'
Kemp said that from July to October
he saw TO Washington papers. sud only
one Of Baltimore. lie also said that from
the day Of his disappearance from Wash
ington until after being imprisoned in
New Orleans he neither communicated
with nor received any communication
from his family or any OF his friends
Il was completely cut Of from Wash
ington. ] did not try 20 learn the atti-
tude Of my friends. I know now. how
ever, they remained loyal Z have re-
ceived ouers from four law firms 20 act
as my attorneys. gratuitously'
AS the train which brought the de-
tectivcs and their prisoner from the South
neared Washington. Kemp showed little
emotion. lie remained quiet.E iu his seat
in the drawing-room compartment
It's the same old Washington" he said
In the time that / have been away l
was never in "a finer city. I am glad TO
get home"