Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-09-23
Deputy. Gets Car
After Thriller" with
Obdurate Driver

DcPuly SHeTifI LlnWOOd T. DuttOn
OF this city had an exciting experience
Thursday morning, one that was as
or even more exciting than MANY of
the thrills" shown upon the screen
and during which he was in as much
or more danger than shown in the
films.
The sheriffs department THURSDAY
morning received a telephone message
from Portland to apprehend a man
and woman expected to arrive in Au-
gusta in Buick coupe. with the Mass
achusetts number 245,494. It was
said that the man would give the name
Gardiner and that he would probably
go to the State House for Maine reg
istratfon plates. A good description
OF both man and woman was given,
but the offense for which they were
wanted was lost on the wire
Deputy Sheriff Dutton went to the
corner of State and Grove streets ana
In short time along came a car that
looked like the one wanted. The
driver turned down the Grove street
extension, leaving the car behind the
State Military building while he went
to the State House.
Deputy Dutton awaited his return
and, accosting him, asked if his name
was Gardiner" The man admitted
it, and was told that the sheriff's de-
partment had been instructed from
Portland to hold him till the arrival of
officers from that city.
Both the man and woman were very
indignant and insisted that a blunder
"a colossal mistake-had been made.
that no reason existed for OBTAINING
either Of them. They were quietly but
firmly told by the deputy that. they
must go to the sheriff's office and
doubtless on the arrival of the officers
explanations could be made.
Then the man changed his tactics
Said he:
Now, be a good fellow. officer, and
let's fix 1t. There's no one around, SO
name your price and let us go. We've
done nothing wrong but we don't want
any notoriety. Name. your price"
He was emphatically told by Mr.
Dutton that price" had nothing 20
do with the case-that he was going
to the sheriff's office, and at once.
The chap renewed his offer to buy
his way to freedom, and on being
pretty sharply told to "cut OUT tha1
line Of talk apparently decided u
make the best of it, for he said:
We'll, if we must, we might as
we'll CO."
The car was started out Scott street
to State and on reaching the latter
street Mr.. Dutton said: Turn here
to the left"
But the driver didn't obey instruc-
tions. He damned on the power and
swung the machine toward the right
heading toward Hallowell and gaining
speed with every foot of ground COW
cred.
The deputy sheriff was then puzzled
what course to take. He admits thar
he can navigate his own Ford under
almost any circumstances, but big
Buick was an unknown quantity to
him. The only thing he could think
of was what he did-and that was to
seize the chap by the throat, put on a
little pressure and order him to stop
the car. The chap was gritty and did
nothing of the kind.
The pressure on his throat soon
had his tongue in evidence, but the
car was then travelling at high
speed down the hill and starting ur
the other side. Complications then
arose. in the woman taking a hanC
in the game by mounting the seat
and grabbing and clawing at the
deputy's head and shoulders, tC
keen him as much as possible from
her companion.
Mr.. Dutton decided that, meeting
no autos, teams or people, the enc
of his involuntary journey was pro-
bIemical, so freeing one hand,' he
began reaching for the controls, il
hopes to set brake or shut off the
power or do something TO stop thu
car. He then had no doubt of be-
inc. able to handle the man and
didn't care much what became O
the woman.
Sure enough. about half way up thu
hill. the car came to a stop. The
woman then made another move
jumping out of the car. opening thu
door on the side her companion wa
sitting. The man made kick o.
a stab at the machinery and bacl
down the hill started the car. Herr
was another dilemma for the officer
It was again a puzzle to stop thu
car. In the attempt. with the heav!
machine gathering way every sec
ond and rapidly approaching poin
where it would take particularly
wicked tumble backward over thu
dump. something had to be done ant
done quickly. That necessitatet
slackening his grip on the man. il
order to shift or change something
to stop that backward glide.
The opening of the door by the
woman. the kicking of the lever tc
start the car and the slackening OF
the officers grip on the man occu.
pied but few seconds, but it was
enough for their purpose, for witt
the feeling of the hands release
from his throat. he was through the
open door and away for the woods
like a scared deer. The woman
stood and watched him run.
The car was over the electric
track when Mr.. putton finally goi
control Of it the escape from CO.