Alabama Mayor Wants Surveillance of City Statue after Recent Vandalism

GADSDEN, Ala. (AP) - The marble index finger that someone broke off Gadsden's Emma Sansom statue has been returned to the mayor and an agreement reached not to press charges.

Mayor Steve Means said Tuesday the finger was taken in a "youthful prank" and delivered to his office by an attorney for the perpetrator, whose name was not released.

It had been missing for about a week.

The statue, dedicated in 1907, honors 15-year-old Emma Sansom, who in 1863 showed Confederate troops the way across Black Creek. The finger on the statue, which points the troops in the direction for the crossing, had been broken for years but was replaced April 27. The new finger was only up for about a week before being broken again.

Means said the city will not press charges but will rescind a $500 reward for the finger's return. A conviction could have led to a $500 fine and up to six months in jail on misdemeanor charges of theft and criminal mischief.

The finger will not be replaced immediately. Means said he wants to be sure cameras fixed on the statue are put in place first.