The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1919-07-13
Francisco, Recently Commits
stoned Deputy BY Cats to
Hunt Tigers, is Arrest
ed.
COURT SOLICITOR
DEFENDS DEFENDANT
Mr.. Thompson Issues State
ment in Which He Scath-
ingly Arraigns Journal
Again for Story.

Following an announcement in yes
terday's journal that e. =. Francisco,
discharged student naval aviator. who
is charged with conspiracy in noted
criminal abortion case growing out OF
the illness and death of Mrs. Mary
McGinn Walker recently, following sn
operation, performed il is claimed. by
Mrs. Ed Sheppard. had been commits
stoned by Governor Cats as special
deputy to run down blind tigers.
there has come some very interesting
developments and statements. All of
these indicate that when the case
comes 10 be aired next week in tho
court OF record. 1t will be watched
with closest interest.
One of the most startling facts in
the days developments was that while
it was generally assumed by local
people that Francisco had been placed
under arrest by the court of record
authorities, and that he was out on
bond, he was not actually served with
the warrant until early last night and
that Sheriff Van Pelt is quoted as
having. said that he had never seen
the warrant. until last night. The ar
rest was made following action OF
outsiders in interesting themselves In
the case
After the sheriff had arrested Fran
cisco, Solicitor Harry Thompson Is
understood to have Immediately come
to his rescue. Upon being assured by
the sheriff that it was his intention
to lock Francisco up, as he would any
other man accused of crime, unless the
required bond was furnished, Mr..
Thompson is reported as having taken
II upon himself to procure a bond for
him signed by Capt. l. II. Aiken, the
amount being $500. $1,000 less than
that OF Mrs. Sheppard and as much
less than is understood TO have been
fixed in the case following the death
of the woman. The amount was fixed
by Judge Will l.. Johnson.
1t is generally argued that. though
Francisco may be guiltless of the
serious crime of which he is accused
as a child. without knowledge of the
heinous affair, because he has not
been so justified by jury nor by decree
of court and because the charge fol-
lowing preliminary hearing hangs over
him, he should not be championed by
the county's prosecutor. Prosecutor
Thompson proclaims him IA clean -cut
gentleman. who will have some con-
vincing statements to make TO the
jury" Francisco states in his own
behalf that he was not dishonorably
discharged from the service. though
it is know his discharge followed i'm
mediately developments in the case as
a consequence OF which he was held
incustody on the government reserva-
tion until he is understood to have
been turned over TO the state authori-
ties here.
Concerning the affair Solicitor
handed the Journal last
night the following statement:
Solicitors Statement.
| have been advised by my real
friends, forty eleven dozen different
time, to stay out of the papers. but ]
have a clean record behind me and a
clear conscience, and / am not afraid
Of the newspapers. and [ intend to be
the county solicitor of EGcambia coun-
ty until / am removed from office by
the governor or the qualified electors
Of this county.
A short time ago the Pensacola
Journal had a great deal 10 say about
the Iaxity in which the Equo: laws Of
this county and state were being in
forced, insinuating that the officers
were derelict in their duties. and now
after the arrest of five offenders. they
either carelessly or maliciously pub
ish in the columns of their paper all
manner of misstatements, which they
pick up from rumors or "clothesline
wireless" as We called IL in the army.
which tend TO discredit the character
Of the officer of the law who brought
about the arrests. II their idea is to
prejudice the minds of the pubic 50
that l will be unable to get o jury VINO
will believe this officer as a witness
think they will fail miserably, for he
Is clean cut gentleman and will have
some convincing statements to make
10 the jury.
In the Journal of Saturday. July II.
they publish under the following head
ine: Man Held Here in Abortion Case
$ Made Tiger Hunter" "A misstatement,
Tor they say Francisco fmeaning
G. r. Francisco. u special dep
Ity of Sheriff Van Pelt, appointed by
orders of Governor Catts), who was
a student aviator at the Navy