EX-JAILER DECLINES TO TALK.
Refuses to Say Whether Prisoners
Taken Out Nights by Brannon.
J. L. Chestnut, night jailer at the county jail, was removed from his position yesterday morning, according to Joel Mayes, county marshal, because of his frequent complaints about his hours of work -- from 4 p. m. to midnight.
"I was constantly hearing complaints in regard to Chestnut," said Mr. Mayes over the telephone late last night. He did not like his hours, and thought himself too big for the place. When the matter was brought to my notice again this morning I let him go."
At his home, 2822 Charlotte street, last night, Mr. Chestnut had little to say.
"I notified Mayes two months ago that I did not like my hours," he said, "and when I found there was to be no change, I quit."
"Do you know of any talk about Bert Brannon, the deputy marshal who was discharged today, having taken prisoners out of the jail at night?" he was asked.
"I don't care to talk about that," was his abrupt reply. "I have nothing to do with Brannon or any of his gang."
"Were any prisoners ever taken out at night while you were there?"
"I told you I would not say anything about that now."
"Did you have trouble with Brannon and then turn in your resignation to Mayes some days ago?"
"I have said all I am going to."
When Marshal Mayes was asked if he know of any prisoners being taken out of the county jail at night, given their freedom for a time, and then returned, he said: "I did hear a rumor to that effect, but could not confirm it. Chestnut's dismissal and the discharge of Brannon are two entirely different matters, and not related to one another in the least. As soon as I heard that Brannon was locked up in the holdover with a charge pending against him I went and got his commission."
