Evening journal., 1910-09-15
FIRTH NOW
in CHESTER JAIL
Returned Late Last Night and
is Held for Court on Alb
duCtiOn Charge
DEAD GIRLS BODY ON
TRAIN THAT BROUGHT MAN

CHESTER, Pa. Sept. 15-William
Firth, Jr., night ticket agent at the
Pennsylvania Railroad station. who
eloped at an early hour Tuesday
morning with Miss Ethel May Pierce.
the 15-year-old daughter of Mr.. and
Mrs. William Pierce. arrived from the
South last evening on the train reach
ing here at 6.26, in charge OF Chief
of Police Edward McCarey, and with
all possible haste was locked up at
the City Hall
Ten officers In charge of Sergeant
OF Police OToole met the chief and
his prisoner at the station to insure
Firth's safety. There were fully 500
persons gathered outside Of the sta
tion eager to get a glimpse OF Firth.
but there was no attempt made to
harm the prisoger.
The same train which brought
Firth to the city also brought the
body Of Miss Pierce. William Pierce.
brother OF the GIRL who previous
to the arrival of the train excitedly
| denounced Firth as william. was so
overcome when the body arrived that
he apparently failed TO notice Firth.
who was handcuffed to Chief McCarey
/ Pierce edged his way close TO the box
containing the body and kept along
side OF it until Il was taken to the
girls home on Twelfth street
Crowd In Firth's Wake.
In the meantime Firth was taken
down Market street. followed by a
crowd of curious people. Upon arriy-
ing at tbs City Hall, Chief McCarey
was notihbd by Dir. Edward G. Bull
lock, OF Upland. that the mother OF
young Firth was lying dangerously
IN at her home. overcome with grief.
and that in his judgment to save her
life she must see the prisoner. After
conference with the other officials
+ young Firth was taken TO Upland in
an automobile, guarded by a Gordon
4 OF police and spent about ten minutes
a with his mother. She was revived
l. somewhat by the visit, but grew worse
Is when told that her boy must be takei
back TO jail
at on the train from Alexandria, Va
"a Ito this city the story told 70 the cnl
m. lby Young Firth was the same as Ia
he already been published. He admit
Ter his infaiuation for M41ss--sssstefc.e aI
on said that before her suicide end
in the elopement, it was HIS intentis
Us TO remain away from Chester. I
b. also told the chief that the revolvs
10 with which Miss Pierce shot herse
was used by Officer p. n. McGran
nd when doing duty on the Pennsylvani
Is Railroads pay car, and during tn
rs time II was not In use it was KEEP
4 I'm the ticket office.
D Firth does not give an explanation
of how he came 10 take the revolver
2 or for what purpose. He says he
saw it lying in the drawer and hastily
put It in the pocket Of his raincont.
the only clothing he took with him
I except that which he wore.
Firth is being closely watched while
a prisoner at the City Hall to pre-
D cent any attempt at suicide. He met
his father, William Firth, and other
! relatives In the Office of Chief Me-
Carey. but had little 20 say to them.
On his way to the City Hall from the
train Firth smoked a cigar. He does
81 not seem to realize the seriousness
y of his position.
Flrth's UncOnccrn.
{ From his conversation with me
e coming up on the traiu,' said Chief
McCarey. II am sure that Firth in no
y way realizes his position. lie looks
e upon the affair as a frolic and ap-
4 parently accepts no responsibility for
the death of Miss Pierce.
"The only time that he broke down
was when ! went into the cell at the
Alexandria lookup. He never once
inquired for his wife nor his child
n until last night, when he asked his
4 father If she was all right"
, Firth confirmed the statement THAT
he left Chester by the Baltimore anC
IA Ohio Railroad for the purpose o
. throwing the officers and the mem
bers Of his family and the girls Of
"a the track. At Washington the.
n- went by trolley 10 Alexandria.
z. Mrs Firth. wife of the prisoner
s. when told that her husband had beer
I'd brought back to Chester for trial, wa'
d. prostrated She said that Firth al
IN ways treated her well and she can
In not understand why he acted as he
has.
Firth had a hearing at il O'Clock
before Magistrate StOckman, whe
IS heard the evidence of the Chief Of Po-
e, lice TcCsrey aud "de FISHER OF the
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