STATE FINDS IT WAS
TRYING WRONG MAN.
LEVI CARTER, A NEGRO, HAD
BEEN IN JAIL SINCE AUG. 23.
It Was Lamp, Alias "Nick" Carter,
Wanted on Charge of larceny,
But New Cop Made a
Mistake.
Levi Carter was taking the air two weeks ago on Mulberry street, trying to keep out of the burning sun as much as possible, when he felt a hand on his shoulder.
"Is your name Carter?" he heard a voice say.
"Yes, sah," replied the negro, as he looked up and saw one of Marks's greenest centurions trying to extract a tree limb from its surcingle.
"Come with me," said Mr. Cent., looking ferocious.
Of course, Carter went. He was as far as the prosecuting attorney's office, where they filed against him a charge of "larceny from the person in the night time," which is sort of denatured highway robbery. Carter went to jail on August 23, to remain until yesterday.
NEITHER LAMP NOR "NICK."
Right here the plot thickens. The complaint was issued against Lamp Carter, alias "Nick" Carter, and not against Levi Carter at all. But the Carter who was in jail made never a word of complaint.
Yesterday Ruby D. Garrett, assistant prosecuting attorney, went to the court of Justice M. H. Joyce, who has had his office at Union avenue and Mulberry street since they began to draw plans for a new union depot. Mr. Garrett went to prosecute the case against Carter, Lamp Carter, alias "Nick."
In pursuance of that purpose, Mr. Garrett proceeded to introduce evidence. He questioned and requestioned, and was making the prisoner's chances look slim, when he hard a commotion in the court room. A group of spectators was talking excitedly. Mr. Garret overlooked the interruption for a moment and then asked a witness:
"Are you certain it was Lamp Carter?"
Then the storm broke, for Mr. Garrett heard amused and angry protest from the rear of the court room.
"What is the matter with you people?" he asked, turning so as to face them.
TRYING THE WRONG MAN.
The leader of the group came forward and said:
"There's nothing the matter with us, only you are trying the wrong man. This isn't Lamp Carter. His name is Levi Carter."
Just about then Mr. Garret discovered it was his move.
"Isn't your name Lamp Carter?" he asked the prisoner.
"No, Sir."
"Why didn't you say so long ago? You have been in jail for two weeks and haven't made a protest."
"I don't know," said Carter meekly.
"The state will dismiss this case," said Mr. Garrett after a further investigation.
"Dismissed," said Justice Joyce with his kindly smile.
And that is why the police intend, in their quiet way, to "sic" some more centurions on the trail of Mr. Lamp Carter.
