El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1917-08-18
AVAUNT QUITS.
SAYS THE MAYOR
Ranger Reese Charges
Himself With Disturb
ance; Council Quizzes.

.
The resignation Of Tom Avaunt as
captain Of detectives and the filing
Of a disturbing the peace complaint
in justice A. J. Halls court against
Walter Reese, state ranger, at his
own instigation. were the outstand-
ing developments Saturday morning
in the situation growing out OF the
arrest Of special deputy sheriff Henry
Blum early Friday morning by city
detectives
one continuous series OF private
sessions were held by the mayor and
council during the morning, prac-
ticauy every man implicated in the
case. besides police chief 3. J. Ia
briskie. being called into the office
repeatedly. At the termination of the
sessions. mayor Charles Davis an
nounced that there was nothing TO
be given out except that Avaunt had
resigned
Cases Dismissed.
On the orders Of the district at
tOrney. Leigh Clark, all cases grow
ing out Of the arrest OF Blum early
Friday morning were dismissed in the
county and justice Of the peace courts
at noon Saturday. This action releases
Tom Avaunt, Walter Reese, Blum ana
detectives under Avaunt's orders in
the arrests Of Blum and Reese.
DtpuJy Blum stated this afternoon
that he would insist on a public re-
traction Of the charge against him
Reese Accuses Himself.
ReeSe's complaint. signed by F. L
Bradley, on Information and belief"
and charging disturbing the peace
and abusive language, was filed prac-
ticaIy by Reese himself. following
an alleged alteration between him
self and Avaunt in the lobby Of the
city hall about 10 o'clock. Following
this, Reese called up justice Hall over
the telephone and announced that as
an officer himself he thought a COM
nlaint should be filed against him.
He Immediately repaired to the jus
tees office and technically placed
himself under arrest He was released
on his own recOgulZanCe-
No Witnesses TO @ROund.-
There were no witnesses TO the
affair 10 be found who would describe
il. but Reese declared he struck at
Avaunt because the latter appeared
to be threatening him. A pocket
knife was surrendered by Avaunt
after the encounter The affair was
described by Reese on the telephone
stowe May Be Captain.
No decision had been reached at
noon. said mayor Davis. as TO the APP
poiutmeut of a new captain Of detec-
tives. There was considerable specu-
latiOu fin the city hall lobby during
the morning as 10 Avaunt's successor
eN-captain Joseph f Stoves name
being mentioned frequently
Avaunt Gives Two Bonds.
Following his making $500 bond F.
on the complaint signed by Blum .
charging false arrest. Avaunt was re- .
arrested by county officers and made +
another $500 bond, this time on COM b
plant OF Reese, making the same .
charge
Varela Called Back.
Detective A. C.. Narela, who has 4
been on vacation. was called back 10 .
work Saturday morning on account Of T
the changes being made in the city
detective department
VIII Call District Attorney.
Justice J. N Deaver and county
". H. Fryer are both agreed |
that IL would serve the best interests
OF the state and all parties concerned
If the prosecution In the Blum and
Reese complaints be represented by
district attorney Leigh Clark. instead
Of Mr.. Fryer, as is customary in JUS
tice courts.
Reese Don't Want job.
There is an impression In some
quarters that 7 would accept the 20
sitiou OF captain Of detectives" said
Walter Reese Saturday. It desire 10
state with all the emphasis at my
command that under no Circumstance
do I desire or would I accept that
position"