Evening star., 1911-06-08
Man Charged With Demanding
$4,000 Under Threats.
DETECTIVES ON WATCH
Accused Went to Place Where
Money Was to Be Left.
PROTESTS HIS INNOCENCE
Letters Sent OF Mrs. Briscoe Of
Hagerstown, Daughter Of Late
Gov. Hamilton of Maryland.
Special pispateh TO The Star.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
HAGERSTOWN, Md, June s.-Charged
with having sent Black Hand letter to
Mrs. Julia Hamilton Briscoe Of Hagers-
town, a daughter of the late Gov. Will
liam T. Hamilton of Maryland. and de-
manding $4,000 under threat of the de-
struction of her family and property.
William Guessford was arrested Last
night by Sheriff Barber. Guessford was
taken before United States Commissioner
A. r. Hagner. of this city and held in
5000 bond for a hearing Saturday.
Guessfords arrest followed several days
of unceasing effort on the part of the
local officers. and also post office in
spectors from Washington and members
of the Hamilton family.
Two weeks ago Mrs. Briscoe received
letter through the post office demand
ing $1,000 under threat Of death and de-
struction of property. This letter was
turned over to the postmaster. who at
once put detectives on the case. Another
letter from the same person on the same
kind of paper as the first one, in the
same handwriting. postmarked WI,
Tuesday by Mrs. Briscoe. This letter
was even stronger in its demands and
more dreadful in it's threats.
Demanded $4,000.
The writer demanded that $4,000 be
deposited In an old tin washboiler beside
a cedar tree, having on one side the let
ters ID. H. marked where the bark
was off. This tree is in a clump Of
woods in secluded spot, thickly set with
trees and brush in deep ravlne between
byrons tannery and the Chesapeake and
Ohio canal property. The money was
ordered to be placed in the washboiler not
earlier than $50 and not later than ia
pm. Wednesday. June Z. This same de-
mand was made in the first letter re-
ceived. Mr.. Briscoe and Marshal Wilson.
his brotheY-in-law, with officers looked
for the place where the money was to be
deposited but failed to find 1t.
Yesterday, however, they were more
successful. Messrs. Briscoe and Wilson
drove to Williamsport and near the place
in the woods. Mr.. Briscoe climbed down
the ravine with a package OF paper in his
hand. Mr.. Wilson stood on the embank-
ment, keeping close watch. while Mr.
Briscoe placed the package in the boiler
Concealed nearby were the postma ster
and Sheriff Barber. Deputy Long and
Detective Burnett, all OF whom lay fol
the man. Shortly afterward Messrs. Bras.
coe and Wilson left for home.
Caught in the Trap.
Soon after the departure OF the two
men those on the watch heard footsteps.
Looking through the bushes. they saw
Guessford approaching with great eau
ton. and, seeing the coast apparently
clear, walked to the wash boiler, stopped
over and put his hand into 1t. At that
instant the watchers arose and covered
him with revolyers. He threw up his
hands at once and exclaimed: Il am not
the man! What do you want with me
He was brought here and taken before
Commissioner Hagner. When told of the
charge he said: Il would not do any
thing against Mrs. Briscoe- She mas
been a mother to me-" He was commit
ted to jail in default of 5000 bail.
Guessford was employed at the Byron
tannery at Williamsport. where he lived.
He is married and has ten children. He
is about forty years of age. Mrs. Briscoe
has been unusually kind to Guessford
and his family, giving his children cloth
ing and aiding them In many ways
Guessford had little to say this morn
ing except to insist that he was not the
person wanted.