The Hattiesburg news., 1909-05-22
man HUNT BY
SOLDIERS
Tom Atkinson, the Mississippi
Jean Vatican, Espcaped Con-
vict, Still AT Large.

NOXAPATER, Miss, May 22.-The
man hunt by state troops is at its
heighth, and still Tom Atkinson, the
Mississippi Jean Vatican, who has
been out of prison twenty-five years
is at liberty.
Sympathy in this part of Winston
county is somewhat divided. The con
vict has many friends in this commu-
nifty, and many believe that with
the assistance of these that he has SO
far been able to avoid arrest, while
others believe that he has left this
part of the country altogether, and
that the search in this locality will
prove fruitless. Meanwhile the blood
hounds belonging to the state are kept
in active service, with the hope that
they may at any time bring their man
to bay.
Some who know Tom Atkinson claim
that he will never be taken alive. He
is looked upon, not as a desperado,
but as a bold and fearless man, who
would prefer giving up his life rather
than spend the remainder of his days
as a prisoner of the state.
Tom Atkinson has been a free man
now for about twenty-one years, dur
ing which time he has lived quiet
life, almost hidden away from the
world, and earning a living for him
self and family upon the little farm
which he has so recently deserted.
Tom Atkinson had no doubt reached
the conclusion that he would never
again be molested, and when the fact
dawned upon him that he would again
become a state prisoner for the bal
ance of his natural life, this thought
was more than he could endure. This
is the reason which prompted the es.
capped convict to desert his home and
family, and abandon the nice, prosper
CNo ilbbiC NiOp hulNu uG llON udS STOW-
ing, and start the flight for liberty.
The records of the state of Missis- |
sippi will show that many years ago |
Tom Atkinson committed murder. He |
was tried in Tate county, convicted !
and sentenced to serve the remainder |
Of his life in prison. 1t was about !
twentyone years ago that he managed .
to escape, and he has since that time |
breathed free air, and many in this |
knew that he was a resi-. |
dent of Winston county. They knew |
that he was leading quiet life upon |
his little farm, distance of about six !
miles from Noxauater, none seemed to |
interest himself further in the case. |
All seemed to think that the state
was aware of his existence, and that
4 he was wanted but little trouble
would be had in his capture.
It was only recently that an effort
# any kind was made in this direction.
u OCChio IlldJ tlt otClCL SCI NiNe IlGn
n the employ of the state. and work
ng under the personal direction of
Governor Noel, discovered Tom At
inson was in this county. A report
the facts as gathered was made !
} Governor Noel, and through the '
,ate detectives Tom Atkinson was t
,quested and given a chance to sur S
nder. A limited time was given him
surrender, and in case of his fail t
e to do this he could be captured s.
the state, even though the assist [
ce of the state militia be called upon Is
: this purpose. "
The convict failed to heed these CT
nands, and when the given time fc
expired he had disappeared, and 81
vas then that the state militia was 81
into service. In the meantime to
territory was supposed to have