The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-09-24
JOHN E. DOWD
 CAPTURED
fcontInued from Page D

&A0AAA NEG ~ lice headquarters and fingerprinted. They had Boston police depart ment circular containing copies of Dowds flngerprints, his description and a list of the charges pending against him."
 "They compared the prisoners fingerprints with those on the cir- cular and I understand they matched.
 Left Nov. 21, 1889
 The 47-year-old Dowd had been sought since Nov. 21, 1889, on l26 counts charging him with corruptly requesting and accepting gratuities totaling $S6,0o0.
 Dowd's case first drew the atten- ton of the public when he was found unconscious in New York city gutter, Nov. il, 1889, with $6,- 625 in his pockets.
 Two days later he resigned as sheriff, effective immediately, say- ing he could not afford to fight custer proceedings instituted in the Massachusetts supreme court by the Boston Bar association which charged him with job selling and extortion.
 On Nov. 16 the first indictments were returned by the Suffolk county grand jury. Subsequently ii indictments containing 126 counts with a possible total maximum pen- alty of 547 1-2 years imprisonment were returned.
 Of these, 105 counts were for felonies and carried maximum terms of five years each.
 The $36,00O he is accused of ac. cepting is included In the first 60 counts charging him with receiving the money from 60 individuals, most of them Suffolk County employees.
 Word In Early Morning
 Foley said Ventura authorities telephoned him at his home about 5 a. m. (EST) today.
 T wanted to be sure of all my fscts," Foley said, "so I recalled the Ventura police and talked with the prisoner.
 we didn't have much to say. Dowd asked me who are you send- ing out for me and said thanks for talking to me- before we ended our conversation.
 Before noon today I'll have my men enroute to California. I'm send- ing It. John J. Watkins and Patrol- man Joseph Cunningham of the Boston police and probably Sgt. Coleman s. Joyce, a Boston police- man who is attached to my office"
 Wal,,::ins, who had searched g months for Wowd, was taken of the search yesterday and re-assigned to the departments pickpocket squad.
 Into Many States
 Watkins search for the missing sheriff had led him into a dozen eastern and mid-western states. At one time, 1t was believed Dowd was hiding in New York State, at an- other, he was reported seen In Florida.
 During the early part of the search, the sheriff's wife went to New York City Hospital after 1t was reported he was confined there. She returned to her home after Q few days but refused to make any statement except to reiterate pre- vious statements that her husband wasinnocent.
 Dowd, stockily built with Chestr vt hair, had a deep scar ca t3s ..gnG side of his fact that ran down to his neck. He had held office less than a year before the Boston Bar Association charges were preferred.
 Among others indicted in the case were Charles A. Hussey, foreman in the Boston City sewer division William J. Armstrong, chief engin- ger at the County Courthouse; Frank 0. ((Chick) Dolan, Boston contrac- tor, and Francis P. Rock, former city of Boston purchasing agent.
 First Given Freedom
 Ventura, Cal, Sept. 24 = (UP) - John F. Dowd, 48, former sheriff of Boston, Mass, wanted there on a two-year -old bribery charge, was held in county Jail today pending arrival of District Attorney William F. Foley from Boston.
 Dowd was picked up by the high way patrol at San Luis Ohispo tive days ago and booked on Q drunken driving charge. Sheriff Howard Rur- Hey said Dowd gave his name as John F. Norton, paid fine and was released.
 Meanwhile, Dowd's fingerprints were checked and identified, e statewide alarm was given and he was re-arrested.