If any person charged with or convicted of a felony breaks prison or escapes or flees from justice or absconds and secretes himself, it shall be lawful for the governor, if he judges it necessary, to offer any reward not exceeding two hundred dollars for apprehending and delivering such person into custody of the sheriff or other officer as he may direct. Upon the person or persons so apprehending and delivering any such person and producing the sheriff's or justice's receipt for the body to the governor, it shall be lawful for the governor to certify the amount of the claim to the controller, who shall issue his warrant on the treasury for the same.