|
|
War of Words with Marshal Evans. |
|
Just who didn't want those prisoners in custody?
Albuquerque Morning Journal, July 1, 1882
Marshal Evans, of Coolidge, was telegraphed by Marshal Blonger, of this city, Wednesday, and requested to apprehend a man who was known to be in Coolidge, who is wanted here for swindling. Blonger took the next train for Coolidge, expecting to find the man in custody on his arrival. He was disappointed. Evans on receiving the dispatch made it his business to tell every one he met as well as the swindler himself. It is needless to say that when Marshal Blonger arrived he didn't find his man. Evans is either grossly incompetent for the position he holds or else he stands in with the thieves. It is hard to tell which view of the case would be the most charitable.
Albuquerque Evening Review, July 1, 1882
EVANS' ANSWER.
Defending Himself from the Charge of Incompetency and Neglect of Duty.
ALBUQUERQUE, July 1.
TO THE REVIEW:
On my arrival in the city I was astonished to see an article in the Journal charging me with incompetency and conspiring with thieves. I will not in detail enter into a reply to the biggest batch of falsehoods I ever saw crowded into the same space. I have telegraphed the operator [...] dispatches that passed between Marshal Blonger and me in reference to the arrest of a man wanted in Albuquerque but known to be in Coolidge, whom I was asked to apprehend. These dispatches I will publish to-morrow if the Journal will allow.
The man who was wanted was not in Coolidge when I received the message from Marshal Blonger, but arrived next morning. To make sure of the game I telegraphed an intelligible description of the man to Marshal Blonger and asked if I should arrest. Late in the day he responded, "Watch man; I will be there on the passenger. The Marshal and Justice Sullivan arrived on time; and were met by me and warned not to show themselves upon the streets, as if they did the man they were hunting would be among the first to learn of their arrival, either by seeing them himself or by being told by some of the gang who are always ready to sound the alarm when a pal is in danger. I was anxious to show appreciation of the visit and to render all the assistance in my power to so distinguished a person as the marshal of Albuquerque, and I am sorry he made the mistake of disregarding my injunction to keep ready until I could spot his game and put him on, since he seemed to be particularly anxious to make the arrest himself, rather than entrust it to me. Possibly he measured his fitness for the job in question by the difference in the size of the two places, Albuquerque and Coolidge.
The wanted man showed up in twenty minutes after the train that bore Marshal Blonger back to his own territory left. I telegraphed him that the man had made his appearance and asked him to return on the next train. He neither returned nor answered my telegram. Sometime afterwards Justice Hall telegraphed him, "Your man is here, Evans will arrest if you desire," or words to that effect. These are the facts. The charge that I told even my most intimate friends of the receipt of Marshal Blonger's telegram [..]r of standing in with thieves is such a gross misrepresentation that I decline to notice it.
J. A. EVANS
Deputy Sheriff at Coolidge.
Albuquerque Morning Journal, July 2, 1882
EVANS' RESPONSE.
He has Something to Say Concerning His Conducting at Coolidge.
ALBUQUERQUE, July 1.
EDITOR JOURNAL:
I beg space in your columns to make a brief response to an article which appeared in your issue to this morning, charging Marshal Evans, of Coolidge, with crookedness in the matter of Marshal Blonger versus the "Pale-faced Kid." I think the subjoined copies of telegrams, which passed between Blonger and Evans, will be all sufficient to convince a deceiving public of the utter falsity of the charges preferred by a man who neglected to append his signature, thus leaving the reader to infer that said scurrilous charge is an editorial.
Here are the telegrams:
ALBUQUERQUE, June 26, 1882.
To City Marshal, Coolidge:
Arrest a pale-faced, light-haired kid, about twenty years old, five feet seven inches high; on the train tonight going south, hold him and answer.
S. H. BLONGER
COOLIDGE, June 27, 1882.
To S. H. Blonger, Albuquerque:
Your man got off at the Atlantic and Pacific junction.
EVANS.
COOLIDGE, June 28, 1882.
To S. H. Blonger, Albuquerque:
Pale-faced, light-haired kid, about the age and height you described, arrived here this morning. He has on light suit, and dealt stud horse same side street of Zeiger's place. Do you want him?
J. O. EVANS
Deputy Sheriff
ALBUQUERQUE, June 28, 1882.
To J. O. EVANS, Coolidge, Deputy Sheriff.
Look out for man. I am coming on next train.
SAM BLONGER
COOLIDGE, June 29, 1882.
To Sam Blonger, Grants:
Your man has showed up. Return here on passenger tonight. Don't fail.
EVANS.
Deputy Sheriff.
COOLIDGE, June 29, 1882.
To Sam Blonger, Grants:
Your man has showed up. Return here on passenger tonight. Don't fail.
EVANS.
Deputy Sheriff.
COOLIDGE, June 30, 1882.
To Sam Blonger, Albuquerque:
Man here. Evans will arrest him if you want him,
JNO. B. HALL
After which I rest my case, without adding much that would make my case so clear that the most obtuse could not fail to see the injustice done me. In conclusion, if I were as uncharitable as the man who charges me with incompetency and standing in with thieves, I might hazard some opinions based on better authority than the accusations made against me, to the effect if a thorough investigation were made it would be found that people who live in glass houses should abstain from throwing stones.
Lastly, I employ no "scribende" to chronicle what I have to say, nor do I ever indulge in personalities without appending the cognomen bequeathed me by my good and honest parents.
J. A. EVANS
Deputy Sheriff, Coolidge.
|
