The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1911-07-31
DETECTING ovERpoNE.

1t seems that the detectives who
arrested the alleged ni1fderers Of Con-
stable Horton at Charleston have not
been satisfied with the mere capture
OF the two men. but have BY threats
promises and Intimidation secured an
alleged signed confession Of one of
the men laying the crime on the other.
1t will be remembered by readers
4 that Constable Horton with anotnet
officer attempted to arrest a couple Of
tramps who were riding freight
train in the yards near Charleston a
few weeks ago and the tramps fired
on the officers killing Horton Instant
lily. Although thee riine was commit
ted in broad daylight in the sight OF
a number Of witnesses, track Of the
murderers was soon lost and a most
spectacular man hunt extending over
several counties in the Southern part
of the State and lasting for over a
week in which possibly a hunured
men were engaged, was commenced
| which resulted at last in the arrest
of two men one by the name of Coll
Inns and another by the name OF Dot:
son in the wilds Of Lincoln county.
The report was spread broadcast that
the murderers of Horton had been
captured and public sentiment ran
high at Charleston against these men,
but 1t has now been developed by the
preliminary hearing that these men.
were not near Charleston at the time
of the commission Of the crime and
they have established an allbl proven
by number Of reputable witnesses
who saw Collins and Dotson on their
Tourney through the country the day
fine hiurdar was committed 1t was
further developed that Collins is al
feeble minded man and according to|
Dan Cunningham was induced vi
make the confession by means OF
threats and promises, duplicating his
companion In the crime, who it Isl
shown is a baGkwoods boy Of IS and
who was never before away from
home. Collins and Dotson were 6:
their way home through the country,
stopped at numerous places and att
the homes Of relatives and inquired
their way and learning that they were
being trailed by the detectives be-
came scared and tried to eyade them
whic hthey succeeded in doing until
they reached their homes in the noun
tains of the Guyan Valley where they
we're followed and arrested,
Testimony shows that they were
not in or near Charleston but eye
witnesses testified that the Two men
ala not resemble the men who escap.
ed. Although these men are still be,
ing held in jail while the State Is try
| ing to find some evidence against them
it appears that the over zeal Of the de.
tectives in trying to fasten the crime
on an innocent man is the only rea-
son for their liberty being denied
them. 1t was a commendable act In
the Baldwin men who are noted for
their daring and bravery in following
their trail after they were suspected
Of the crime until they we're cap
tired, and 1t was an act OF bravery in
going into the mountains Of Lincoln
county and arresting these men but
the act 6t procuring a false comics.
sion from a'feeble minded man i'm.
plieating an innocent country boy is
considerably OVERRIDING the detective
work. -
BY a law passed in Massachusetts
and signed by the governor persons,
who have been indicted, Imprisoned
for more than six months and then de-
clared innocent can collect Cotnpensa.
ton from the State based on their
earning power while at liberty. The
statute illustrates the new public at
titude which is being taken toward
the laws in1ustices. Society Is be
ginning to see that when 1t does a
wrong At should ipay for lr.ss sH' AZ
The law in most States at present