Evening star., 1909-02-18
HAPPENINGS IN ALEXANDRIA
PRISONER JUMPS FROM TRAIN
GOING rs MILES AN HOUR.
Exciting Escape Of Frank Johnson
Held for Horse Stealing-Plans
for Tag" Day.

Special Correspondence Of The Star.
ALEXANDRIA,. Va, February Is. 1863.
With penitentiary sentence Of eighteen
years staring him in the face for horse
stealing. FRANC Johnson, thirty years old,
who was being conveyed from this city
to Henrico county by Deputy Shefiff
Garnett, shortly after 4 o'clock yesterday
afternoon. leaped from a southbound
train travelling at twenty-five miles an
hour and made good his escape. Johnson
landed on his head, it is said, and was
not injured. He jumped from the train
at F'ranconia, nine miles south of here,
and was last seen speeding over the hills
of Fairfax county.
Johnson was securely handcuffed when
placed aboard the train. He and the dep
uty occupied Il seat in the passenger coach
adjoining the baggage car. The train left
here at o'clock and a few minutes there
after Johnson told the deputy that he
would like to get a drink Of water and
asked that his handouts be removed. His
request was complied with and he started
for the water tank at the rear end OF the
car, followed by MIR. Garnett. He pre-
tended to turn on the spigot of the water
cooler with his left hand while with his
right he opened the door Of the rear
coach and darted out. Mr.. Garnett at once
grabbed him in the middle Of the back,
but by a deft move the prisoner pulled
away and leaped from the train. Sheriff
Garnett at once pulled the emergency
cord, but the train. he says. did not stop.
He later applied to the conductor to stop
the train, but the latter informed hom
that the train was pulling up grade
and could not stop for several miles.
AS soon as a. deputy sheriff arrived in
Richmond, which was shortly after Z
police force OF this city. The lieutenant
at once sent out requests for Johnson s
apprehension. He has not as yet been re-
, captured.
Deputy Taken by Surprise.
At the point where Johnson leaped from
, the train there is stiff grade and john
son doubtless took advantage of this in
} order to make his escape. Ordinarily the
!, | train makes an average of thirty-f1ve
miles an hour, and it's speed was reduced
to twenty-five miles at this point. Rail-
, road men regard 1t as remarkable that
Johnson was not either killed or seriously
Injured in his mad leap. A fiagman Of
the train declares that johnson leaped to
his feet as soon as he landed and made of
at brisk run up the hill at that place.
In an interview given out by Mr.. Gar
nett upon his arrival in Richmond he
explained that he was taken completely
by surprise. He regarded Johnson a
desperate man and took the precaution to
handcun him. He said that he scufied
with the prisoner On the platform Of the
train, and that his revolver was handy.
but before he could draw his weapon the
man was yards behind him. He added that
he felt he had done his duty, and that
the affair is one that is likely to occur
In the experience OF any official.
Mr.. Garnett said he thinks johnson was
determined to escape at any hazard to
himself. He searched the prisoner be-
fore he left the city jail and claims he
found a half-pound bag filled with pow
| lnHy vr.h{ oh NHr 20, ~
lievcs he intended throwing in his face
: to blind him II he found it necessary
In order to escape. This was. however.
taken from him before he left the Jail.
1t is also reported that since his in
generation he made an effort to break
Jail, but the timely action Of guards pre-
vented his escape.
Description Of Fugitive.
Johnson claims his home is in New
York city. He was sttired In dark
suit and carried a light brown overcoat.
He is short in stature. weighs about 125
pounds and has a red face and limps
. slightly.
Johnson was arrested in this city Janu-
ary 20 last. He had rented a stable
in Friendship alley, where the police
recovered two wagon loads Of goods, in
result OF three robberieS committed In
Fairfax county. He said he and another
. man named Jones committed the rob-
berries.
He also had a horse, which had been
dyed black. and which afterward turned
greenish hue. He claimed the horse
was given him by Jones. Several DAYS
z afterward 1t was identified as the prop
erty of George w. Hunt Of Seven Pines.
Henrico county. The officials then decided
to turn him over to the Henrico authori,
: ties, as horse stealing is q more serious
crime. Johnson would have been tried at
YY1Or ayr 40 HI,A IT.
, Henrico. He would have been tried for
the three robberies in Fairfax county.
: A meeting Of the general committee of
1 the George Washington Birthday Associ-
' the rooms Of the chamber Of commerce
!: to perfect plans for the Tag day" exer-
; cises Monday next. Committees will be
, appointed to visit the various school
and the cooperation of the teachers will
= also be asked. According to the plans
4 thus far outlined 1T Is proposed to have
tags of several denominations. the largest
for store wagons and windows and the
' smallest for street distribution the latter
: at 10 cents each. In this manner the
committee hopes to raise goodly sum for
! the ehildren's Fairgrounds at the George
from the tags will determine largely the
extent of the amusements that will be af-
forded the children at the park
For Homecoming Week.
The transportation committee for the
Homecoming week held protracted meet
ing this morning at the rooms of the
chamber of commerce. and appointed
members to arrange with the various rail
! roads for reduced rate on that occa sion,
and also disposed Of other business. 1t Is
, understood that special rates will be
. given.
A fine of $40 was imposed in the case Of
Arthur Grigsby. coIored. In the police
court this morning on charge of stealing
a pair Of reins and bride from the livery
of P. T. Harrington. Grigsby said he
secured the articles in Washington. al
though they were identified as having
been stolen from the livery.
Mcpherson Mason suspected of stealing