The Washington herald., 1909-07-11
DOWNS GETS OVATION
Applauded When He Walks
from Jail on Bail.
CROWD NOISILY GREETS HIM
BaItimOre's stock Clerk, Charged
with LOOting City Treasury of
$1,000, Is Released on S5O.OOO
BaiI-He Has Had Two MistriaIs.
Happy to Leave Prison.

Baltimore. Nd. July 10.-Splck and span
from head % foot. his face wearing a
triumphant smile, William F. Downs,
the young man who is charged with
loOting the city 10 the extent OF 5000
and more. walked out OF the city jail
to-day. after having been a prisoner
for three months and ten. days.
His exit from prison was greeted by
loud handclapping and shouts by the
crowd that had gathered IN front % tne
jan entrance, on Buren street. one or
two Of the men yelled. ~Hmrah for
Downs
The prisoners release followed the
signing up this morning in the clerks
Office OF the Criminal Court OF the
pledges for more than $4,000 worth Of
unincumbered real estate as security for
the $1,000 bail fixed by Judge Stock
bridge. before whom Downs was twice
tried the jury failing both times to
agree
Appeared Embarrassed.
Downs seemed almost overwhelmed As
he came walking down The long brick
pavement leading from the high steps %
the main building OF the jan. beside his
counsel, Attorney Harry B. Wolf. he was
plainly embarrassed. At times ne hung
his head as though he feared 10 face the
crowd. He was dressed in a suit Of
slate blue clothes. the same he wore al
the last trial and a Panama hat Tan
shoes. a neglige shirt. and a flowing
necktie completed his attire lie carried
a large tan suit case. which contained
the clothes he wore inside"
As they came down the walk not a
word passed between Downs and AttoT-
ney Wolf. AS they drew near the group
that was waiting just inside the doors
OF the jail yard Michael ? Downs. the
prisoners father, took a few steps TO-
ward him. When the boy was close
enough his father grasped his hand.
"An right now. Willie" he said And
you can thank God for Il. tOOt
Downs said not a word. he Just smiled
Attorney Wolf had arranged FOR Downs
10 go direct 20 his Office. where the pris-
oner was TO meet his friends and talk
with the reporters, should the latter be
deemed. advisable. Accordingly, the cab
was driven TO Read street. and from there
20 St Paul street, thence 10 Attorney
Volts Office. IN Courtland street
Like COnquering Hero.
Smiling with the same cynical smile
that has made him as famous as the acts
which the State OF Maryland has charged
him with, Downs emerged from the hack
which conveyed him from the city Jail.
and was ushered into the ONCE OF his
counsel. Harry B. Wolf. in Courtland
street. near Lexington
No conquering hero returning from a
battlefield ever received more homage
than was paid him By the crowd OF sew
eral hundred persons that had caught the
notice OF the release Of the prisoner.
While was the first 10 leap from the
hack. and then grasped the hand OF John
ny Summers. a local figure in hstic cir
cles. and an old friend He was quickly
followed by Attorney Demarco, then
Michael Downs, the father. whose faith
ful work brought about his release. and
last came Attorney Harry Wolf
Along the line OF persons hands were
outstretched and one after another
grasped the youthful prisoners hand. he
was finally marched, or pushed, through
the crowded front Office until he reached
the private Office OF his chief counsel
The small room quickly filed up. and
among those who Joined the group was
former Police Justice William J. Garland.
and then some lesser lights. A few
minutes elapsed and the group OF news
paper men were admitted 70 the Room.
Downs shook hands with every one OF
the reporters, and was then asked for a
statement This ordeal seemed more af-
fecting to him than the sight OF the
courtroom. which he was forced 70 face
on two occasions