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Domestic News
July 10, 1912
The Watchman And Southron
Sumter, Sumter County, South Carolina
What is this article about?
In Sumter, Constable Peter H. Mellette and Mr. C. W. Smith pursued and recaptured escaped prisoner Simeon Johnson after a half-hour chase through streets and lots, leading to his overnight jail stay.
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CAPTURED IN CLOSE RACE.
Messrs. C. W. Smith and Peter H. Mellette Run Down a Prisoner
In a close and exciting race between Constable Peter H. Mellette, Mr. C. W. Smith and a negro, Simeon Johnson, the former captured the latter after almost a half of an hour of very strenuous exercise.
Simeon had been wanted by Judge Wells to answer to certain charges in his court for some time and he was arrested Wednesday evening as he started down street. He was taken in the buggy in which Mr. Smith and Constable Mellette had gone for him in and taken on toward the jail.
However, Johnson was not ready to spend the night in the jail, and just before he got there he made a leap for liberty and after rolling over in the dirt a number of times started out at a fast clip for some other town.
Mr. Smith whipped up his horse and started out after him and Mr. Mellette started out on foot. The race was close and exciting, covering several blocks of Sumter, Washington, Canal, Hampton avenue and other streets, besides a number of back lots, at each of which places the runaway was headed off. The chase drew to a close on the school green when Mr. Mellette, who had been left far behind and who was comparatively fresh, came upon the negro as he doubled on his course and started back up Hampton avenue, and caught up with him as he was going past the monument.
As a result of his capture, Simeon was forced to sleep in the jail for the night despite his efforts not to do so.
Messrs. C. W. Smith and Peter H. Mellette Run Down a Prisoner
In a close and exciting race between Constable Peter H. Mellette, Mr. C. W. Smith and a negro, Simeon Johnson, the former captured the latter after almost a half of an hour of very strenuous exercise.
Simeon had been wanted by Judge Wells to answer to certain charges in his court for some time and he was arrested Wednesday evening as he started down street. He was taken in the buggy in which Mr. Smith and Constable Mellette had gone for him in and taken on toward the jail.
However, Johnson was not ready to spend the night in the jail, and just before he got there he made a leap for liberty and after rolling over in the dirt a number of times started out at a fast clip for some other town.
Mr. Smith whipped up his horse and started out after him and Mr. Mellette started out on foot. The race was close and exciting, covering several blocks of Sumter, Washington, Canal, Hampton avenue and other streets, besides a number of back lots, at each of which places the runaway was headed off. The chase drew to a close on the school green when Mr. Mellette, who had been left far behind and who was comparatively fresh, came upon the negro as he doubled on his course and started back up Hampton avenue, and caught up with him as he was going past the monument.
As a result of his capture, Simeon was forced to sleep in the jail for the night despite his efforts not to do so.
What sub-type of article is it?
Crime
What keywords are associated?
Prisoner Capture
Escape Chase
Sumter Arrest
Simeon Johnson
What entities or persons were involved?
C. W. Smith
Peter H. Mellette
Simeon Johnson
Judge Wells
Where did it happen?
Sumter
Domestic News Details
Primary Location
Sumter
Event Date
Wednesday Evening
Key Persons
C. W. Smith
Peter H. Mellette
Simeon Johnson
Judge Wells
Outcome
simeon johnson captured and spent the night in jail
Event Details
Simeon Johnson, wanted by Judge Wells on charges, was arrested Wednesday evening but escaped from the buggy en route to jail. Pursued by Mr. C. W. Smith on horseback and Constable Peter H. Mellette on foot through Sumter streets and lots for half an hour, he was recaptured on the school green near the monument.