The Notorious Outlaw of Snohomish County

Sheriff Hagen, of Snohomish County, traveled to Port Angeles to visit the local jail and take a look at John C. Mears, alias Ben Kennedy, alias Jack Meyers, the notorious outlaw whose murder of O'Connor at Reed Island and subsequent capture occupied so much space in the press last month. The moment Sheriff Hagen placed his eyes on Mears, he spotted him as the man wanted in Snohomish for forging the signature of the J. F. Hart Lumber Company last May. The check drawn by Mears was for $125, which he sold to a saloonkeeper for a few dollars. When the check was presented at the bank, the cashier at once pronounced it a forgery and a warrant was issued. While awaiting his trial, Mears made his escape from the county jail, along with three other prisoners. Mears is also wanted in Snohomish county for stealing a whole boom of logs, which he sold for $900, and for attempted murder two years ago. When Sheriff Hagen saw Mears this morning, he accosted him with: 'Well, Mears, they've got you dead to rights this time.' Mears replied: 'I don't think so. The lawyers I've got will get me out all right.' The sheriff says that Mears looks just about the same as when confined in the Snohomish jail, and that he does not appear to be fretting over his position.