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WRIGHT
FOUND GUILTY OF MURDER ON SECOND TRIAL
OROVILLE (Butte Co.), November 24 - Much to the
surprise of the local public and others who have followed the proceedings in
the second trial of H. Wright, charged with FARLEY’s murder at Yankee Hill, the
jury this morning brought in a verdict of manslaughter, after being out forty
hours. They recommended the prisoner to the mercy of the Court. It is
understood that on the first ballot the jury stood seven for guilty and five
for acquittal.
The first case
was appealed to the Supreme Court, and that body remanded it for a new trial,
striking out some of the evidence. This is what created the impression that
Wright would not be found guilty a second time. His attorney stated to-day that
he would not say what action he would take in the interest of his client until
the Court has passed sentence on the prisoner.
DECLARE
THAT FRANK J. HELLEN IS A BANKRUPT
SAN FRANCISCO, November 24 - The Adams-Booth Company
of Sacramento, the Nathan-Dohrmann Company of San Francisco and the Langley
& Michaels Company of San Francisco yesterday petitioned the United States
District Court to declare F.J. HELLEN of Tuscan Springs , Tehama County, a
bankrupt. The petitioners allege that Hellen is unable to pay his just debts
and that he committed an act of bankruptcy in giving E.B. WALLBRIDGE, one of
his creditors, permission to sell him out as forced sale.
LINEMAN
HARDING KILLED BY FAST FREIGHT TRAIN
The
unfortunate man had just repaired some disordered wires and started east when a
fast freight rounded a curve. Before he could get out of the way he was struck
and ground to pieces. He leaves a wife residing here.
HAPPENINGS
AROUND THE BAY
Railroad at Navy Yard - Notice of the formal approval of
the Bureau at Washington of the recommendation made by the Ordnance Department
of the Mare Island Navy Yard some time ago in regard to the construction of a
railroad at the (illegible) to be operated by means of condensed air have been
received and bids for the construction of the railroad will soon be advertised.
Fell on a Fence - Falling thirty feet from a window he
was cleaning, in
Killed by Electricity - Thomas SUMMERVILLE, a laborer
aged 60 years, was electrocuted at one of the car houses of Union Railway
Company in San Francisco, to-day. He was moving a lattice pole when he came in
contact with an electric light wire. His death was almost instantaneous.
Three Horses Fell - Racing at
Killed by Thugs - Lars ULLIN, mate of the schooner
Empire, was taken to the
Must Stand Trial - WYMAN and REBSTOCK, the two members
of the ballot-box stuffing gang in San Francisco, have exhausted all technical
delays and will now have to stand trial on the merits of the case. Wyman has
been brought to the point where his plea is entered, and Rebstock will plead
next Saturday.
Hanged Himself - For nine days Mrs. Agnes PFEFFER, a
bride of seven months, had been seeking for her husband, and yesterday she
found him swinging from a limb of a big gum tree on the edge of Sutro forest,
San Francisco. Pfeffer was about 45 years of age, and had lived with his wife
and several daughters by a former marriage. His suicide was undoubtedly due to
temporary insanity.
Miss Dolbeer’s Sanity - The affairs of society,
dinners, luncheons, teas, automobile parties and golf were discussed all day
yesterday in Judge COFFEY’s Court, the matter in hand being the Dolbeer will
contest, and the evidence being given by a number of friends of the late
heiress, Miss Bertha Dolbeer, who detailed the character of their intimacy with
her. The testimony in each instance went to prove that there was not taint of
insanity affecting Miss Dolbeer, and no traces evident of the attacks of
depression and melancholy which Hiram JOHNSON endeavored to establish as a
fact. The strongest witnesses of the day were Miss Mary JOLLIFFE, one of Miss
Dolbeer’s closest friends, and Miss Grace SPRECKELS, another intimate friend.
Rapidly Fatal - Only twenty minutes before his death
from appendicitis in
Bonnheim Scholarships - The first step in the second
annual Bonnheim prize contest in ethics at the University of California was
closed yesterday when the Committee in charge of judging the dissertations
submitted by the competing under-graduates, announced the names of the five
winners as follows: William A. ANDREWS, Edward BLACKMAN, Farnham P. GRIFFITHS,
William J. MUSGROVE and Herbert A. STOUT. Each of these winners, by the terms
of the contest, receive a premium of $10 and is entitled to take part in the
discussion on December 30 for the prize of $200. The subject for the Bonnheim
contest for 1904 is “The Ethics of the Open Shop.”
Must Disgorge - According to a decision of the Supreme
Court, former Mayor R.W. SNOW must return $1865.22 to the
Additional Shooting - While duck hunting yesterday at
San Lorenzo, William C. RUSSELL, a prominent young mining engineer of Oakland,
was accidentally shot in the face by William POOLE.
TWO Men Robbed - Footpads were at work in the vicinity
of Sixth and Stevenson Streets,
Shrimp Men Fight - The Union Shrimp Company and its
rival, the San Mateo Shrimp Company, fought a pitched battle on the deep waters
between Point San Pedro and Point Richmond at an early hour yesterday morning.
The battle was a real one in which repeating rifles played an important part
and it was only the inky blackness of the night and the poor marksmanship of
the Union Shrimp Company’s Chinese patrolmen that kept the encounter from
culminating in a tragedy.
Wants a Share of Money - W.C. EVANTS has begun suit at
Oakland against his wife, Mrs. Mary M. Evants, to recover a share of more than
$4000, which, he alleges, she has been secreting for more than fifteen years
and which he has only recently discovered. The money is alleged to be the
accumulated profits from the Arcata House, destroyed by fire nearly two years
ago.
School Vacations - The
Geodetic Aid Wanted - The
Fatally Beaten - L.M. ULIN, first mate of the schooner
Ensign, was so badly beaten by a thug on Tuesday night that he expired from his
injuries in less than twenty-four hours afterward. All the robber netted for
his work was $11. Detectives last night arrested Robert MEEKS on suspicion of
being the man who assaulted Ulin.
At Outs With Harriman - It is reported in San
Francisco that I.W. HELLMAN and H.E. HUNTINGTON have disagreed over the policy
of the Pacific Electric Railway and the Inter-urban Railway Companies of Los
Angeles, in which they are jointly interested with E.H. HARRIMAN and that as a
result Banker Hellman has joined with Harriman in placing Huntington in the
minority in the control of those companies.
ADOLPH WEBER SHOWS NO SIGN OF GIVING WAY UNDER STRAIN
Believed He Will Fight to a Finish in Higher Courts -
Such Defense Will Exclude Insanity Pleas - District Attorney Wants No
Assistance - Bank Raises Reward For Robber
AUBURN (Placer Co.), November 24, 1904 - The curtain on
the first act of the Weber tragedy was rung down yesterday afternoon, when
Judge Smith, as told in The Bee’s last edition yesterday, read his verdict in
the preliminary examination and recited that he believed that Adolph Julius
Weber was the slayer of his mother, Mary Weber, and that he be held by the
Sheriff of Placer County and appear before the Superior Court and answer to the
charge.
There was but
a small group of spectators in Court, when the prisoner followed by Under
Sheriff May entered the Court-room. Weber walked to the center of the railed
enclosure and remained standing until his attorneys were ready to take their
places at the table and then sat down between them. His hair was in an unkempt
condition. Te (sic) had probably just arisen from his cot before coming to the
Court-room, as he has not been feeling well for the past day or two.
The Court
inquired if the counsel on both sides were ready, and District Attorney
Robinson nodded an affirmative. Defendant’s counsel, Mr. Tabor, said he would
be perfectly willing that the Court should take more time to look over the
transcript of testimony if it so desired, as Judge Smith had said at the close
of Tuesday’s session that he would like to have until Friday to render his
verdict.
The Court replied
to Mr. Tabor that he was ready to decide the matter, and then read the verdict.
Watched
the Judge
During its
reading the prisoner looked steadily at Judge Smith, and a momentary change of
color was the only outward sign of the crushing effect the decision must have
had on him.
Twice during
the day Judge Smith received word that the prisoner wished to see him, but as a
conference between the magistrate and the accused would have been very much out
of order, the Judge paid no heed to the request. It was rumored that Weber
desired to swear to a complaint against some one, but who could not be learned.
After the
verdict, Weber and his attorneys sat in the Court-room conversing together, but
whether it was to bring a complaint and implicate some one else in the crime,
or merely arranging the details of the coming trial could not be found out.
Spectators waited about the corridors to catch a glimpse of young Weber on his
return to the jail.
There has not
been the slightest doubt in the minds of the people that Weber would be held to
appear in the Superior Court. The defendant, however, has had some hope that
the insufficiency of direct evidence might cause him to be released.
Attorneys
for Trial
Considerable
speculation is just now being indulged in as to who will constitute the
prosecution and defense when the case comes to trial. It has been said that
young Weber will have legal reinforcements when he comes before the Superior
Court, though nothing positive has come from the defense as to who it will be.
It has also
been currently talked that assistance should be employed in the prosecution of
Weber and it is said that relatives of the deceased Webers are desirous that
the best efforts should be made on the part of the prosecution. District
Attorney Robinson, however, objects to having any attorney brought into the
case without his sanction. He has declared that he would not ask the Board of
Supervisors to make any provision for extra counsel in the case and that if he
requested extra counsel it would be from some friend whom he would ask to go
into the case as a personal favor.
The case will
not come to trial before the first of the year, and possibly as late as
February or March. The probability is that it will take two weeks to try the
case, and the great legal battle is looked forward to with interest.
Weber
Given Violets
The first
floral tribute to be presented to Weber was given to him by a young woman from
Colfax, who was a spectator at the examination. He was presented with a bunch
of violets wrapped together with a lock of the young woman’s hair. Weber
adorned the lapel of his coat with the flowers. He expressed himself as pleased
with the flowers but said he set no value on the lock of hair with which they
were tied.
Weber looks tired
and exhausted after the long inquiry through which he has passed. It lasted
night and day for a part of the time.
There are two
lines of defense which will have to be followed. The defendant will have to
establish an alibi, or put in the insanity plea if it should be definitely
established that he murdered his family. But as he denies emphatically any
knowledge of the crime, that his first intimation that anything was wrong at
his home was when he heard the fire alarm as he stood on
Insanity
in Family
While there is
not at this time the least probability that insanity will form any part of his
plea, those who are familiar with the affairs of the Webers say that insanity
has existed in the family. Two brothers of Julius Weber are said to have been
mentally afflicted. The story has also been current that Adolph fell from a
horse a few years ago and received injuries about the head.
The search of
the Weber premises was continued to-day, and will be kept up for several days
in quest of the coin taken from the Placer County Bank. It has always been
supposed that this money was hid on a hill farther north near where the bank
robber was found to have disappeared, but there seems to be a new theory that
it was afterward moved, and as young Weber is under suspicion the Weber land
and premises will be thoroughly turned over.
Bank
Raises Award
In conversation
with Vice-President D.W. LUBECK, of the Placer County Bank, that gentleman
discussed the probability of the accused youth being the man who leaped through
the bank wicket and held Assistant Cashier Edgar McFAYDEN at bay while he took
the coin from the bank trays.
“I cannot
conceive,” said Mr. Lubeck, “how the report gained circulation that the bank
had been repaid for this theft. It would be rather a serious matter for us and
I am sorry that the story was given even momentary consideration.”
The bank
robbery has ceased to be much discussed in connection with young Weber’s
troubles. To-day Vice-President Lubeck raised the reward offered from $500 to
$1000.
The following
statement has been issued by the prisoner as follows:
“To the
Citizens of
“A most
atrocious crime has been committed in our midst. As the accused I respectfully
request that you suspend your judgement as to the author until I have had a
chance to offer my defense and speak for myself.
“Public
opinion has been unfairly turned against me.
To my friends,
I assure you of my innocence.
“To those who
have prematurely judged against me, I point out that appearances are ofttimes
deceptive.
“Trusting your
judgement will do me no injustice, I am sincerely yours,
“ADOLPH
WEBER.”
Searching
In
The officers
continued their search for the man or men who purchased and used the pistols
employed in the bank robbery and the wholesale murder of the Weber family.
Sheriff Keena and Detective Reimer are now in San Francisco, but word from
there this morning is to the affect that nothing of value has been discovered.
It has been definitely established that Weber did not have his picture taken
under an assumed name, as charged by the
Local officers
are now looking for a coat Weber is said to have worn on the night of the
tragedy and which is thought to be bloodstained.
Submitted by Betty Loose betty@unisette.com
____________________________________
HAS
COIN HIDDEN BY PLACER BANK ROBBER BEEN FOUND?
Rumor Says It Has and That the Finder Kept It -
Weber’s Attorneys Want Cash Bail and Change of Venue
For days men
have been hunting for the treasure, but no sign of is has come to light. The
searching party has been delving in every ravine, crevice and corner that might
offer opportunity to cache the stolen gold, but up to now not the slightest
sign of it has been found.
The officers
are sure it was hidden in this vicinity, and, in fact, the general impression
ever since the robbery has been that the robber was still in this city and had
hidden his swag close by. For weeks after the robbery people who lived on the
hill where it was supposed the gold was hidden watched closely, hoping to
detect the robber visiting the hiding place of the money. If, however, he did
this, it was unobserved, and the whereabouts of the coin is still a mystery.
But the many
events which have transpired since then, and the thorough search that has been
made, has given rise to a new suspicion - that the robber had been robbed! That some one has accidentally stumbled on to
the treasure, and decided to keep it rather than turn it over for a $500
reward, which is but a fraction of the amount the bank was robbed of, is
suspected.
Vice-President
Few
Developments
Everything was
quiet about the Court House yesterday and this morning, there being no
spectators or curiosity seekers. Yesterday was the first day of rest the
officers and Court officials have had since the case begun, and most of them
made the most of it. It has been a long wearying strain on them. Everybody is
relieved that the preliminary work of unraveling the tragedy is over.
Sheriff Keena
and Under Sheriff May have never relinquished their energies in the case since
its commencement and have been highly praised by those with whom they have had
to deal for the courteous treatment they have accorded to everybody, the
newspaper fraternity in particular. While Sheriff Keena has been constantly
searching for new clews and evidence, his subordinate, Mr. May, has assisted
the District Attorney in the examination of witnesses, he himself being one of
the principal witnesses to the conflagration, having carried the body of little
Earl Weber in his arms from the building. The little fellow died before the
arrival of the physicians, while in May’s charge.
Judge Smith’s
intimate friends are indulging in considerable levity with the Judge over the
compensation he receives as the presiding magistrate at the examination. Under
the
Confinement is
beginning to tell on the prisoner. He has been a dyspeptic for years and
deprivation of exercise and sunlight aggravates his condition. There are many
who now think he will break down. It is rumored that he has made a partial
confession, but little credence is placed in it. The statement that he has
admitted being in the Weber home much later than he has heretofore claimed is
not confirmed. If the officers have gained any new evidence of importance they
have kept the news to themselves.
Will
Ask Bail
Defendant’s
attorneys will petition Judge PREWETT to admit their client to bail, this
request having been denied by Justice Smith. It is not thought that this will
avail much, as in cases where murder is charged, where the Court has consented
to bail, it has been almost prohibitive in amount. In the present instance it
is merely a speculative question whether the Court will grant the motion or
not.
While it is
true that this community is strong in its sentiment against young Weber, there
are those who believe him innocent. Most of Weber’s former school mates are
inclined this way, though they have not expressed themselves very strongly on
the subject, as the circumstances surrounding the crime are such that at this
time the case is not in a condition for argument.
Speculation on
the reported change of venue which the defendant’s attorneys are said to be
planning to ask for is quite general this morning, but those familiar with
legal lore do not place much confidence in it being secured. They claim there
is no material cause for this, and that venue is seldom changed in murder cases
unless a violent demonstration or other undue evidence of prejudice has been made
by the people, which is not the case in the Weber trial. Considering the
enormity of the crime with which the defendant is charged, there has been but
little open bitterness expressed, and the people are willing to abide by the
result of the trial.
PULLED
THE GUN BY ITS MUZZLE
A Gridley Boy Accidentally Killed While Out Hunting
with a Companion
BIGGS (Butte Co.), November 25 - Another victim to the
habit of pulling a gun forward one muzzle first was sacrificed in this place
yesterday.
Willie, the 11-year-old
son of Mr. and Mrs. James BAYNON, whose home is on the outskirts of the city,
went hunting in company with a small son of a neighboring family. The boys had
occasion to climb a fence, and the Baynon boy who was carrying the gun pushed
it through the fence butt first.
He climbed
over the fence and was pulling the gun toward him by the muzzle when the hammer
caught the fence and the gun was discharged. The charge of shot entered the
boy’s left side just below the heart and he was killed almost instantly.
He was taken
to his parents’ home and medical aid was summoned, but to no purpose.
DREW
GUN TOWARD HIM AND NOW MINUS ARM
RED BLUFF (Tehama Co.), November 25 - Alva KAMPT had a
portion of his right arm blown off this morning, and while it is thought he
will survive the wound and the shock, he is, nevertheless, in a very serious
condition.
The accident
occurred at a point about four miles west of Red Bluff. Kampt was on horseback
at the time. He rode up to a wagon and reached in to draw out a gun. The muzzle
was toward him and in some way the weapon was discharged with the result noted.
HAD
ROBBERS PLANNED TO STOP AND LOOT TRAIN NEAR KESWICK?
Strange Story Told by Man Who Flagged the Express -
Placed Under Arrest While Officers Investigate.
REDDING (Shasta Co.), November 25 - Did four men plan
to hold up the south-bound
In the
But the
officers do not put entire credence in the story he tells, and that is why he
is in jail.
The train was
No. 15, due to arrive here at
He told a very strange story. While walking
along the track near the
The shots and
the remark convinced him, the stranger continued, that the men intended to rob
the south-bound train, and for that reason the had hurried to flag it. He
insisted that he was telling a straight story, and that attention should be
paid to it. As a mater of precaution the trainmen concluded to investigate. The
engine was uncoupled and run down to the point where the stranger said the men
had fired upon him.
Here were
found four sticks of dynamite with caps on, but no trace could be discovered of
the four men. A careful search was made of the surrounding ground, but there
was nothing learned that would throw any light on the mystery. The engine was
run back to the train, which then came on to this place.
The local
officers were told of the affair and after consultation it was decided to take
the stranger into custody. The theory was advanced that he himself had placed
the dynamite on the track with the purpose in view of warning the trainmen and
thus reap a little cheap notoriety, and, perhaps, be paid a reward by the
Southern Pacific for his gallant conduct.
The prisoner
gives the name of D.V. BARTH. He is about 32 years of age and is of good
appearance. He talks intelligently and sticks to his strange story. The
officers are much puzzled and are devoting themselves to solving the mystery.
ROBBED
OF SMALL SUM BY TWO STRANGE MEN
RED BLUFF (Tehama Co.), November 25 - Frank ERWIN, a
clerk in a local store, was held up and robbed last night by two men. He was in
the neighborhood of the depot at the time. The thieves took two pocketbooks
from him. One contained $1 05 and the other nothing. The robbers took the money
and threw the pocketbooks away. The money belonged to Edwin’s mother, so he is
out not even one cent as a result of the hold-up. The officers have been
notified and are at work on the case.
SAWMILL
COMPANY TO CONSTRUCT A RAILROAD
REDDING (Shasta Co.), November 25 -
But now a real
railroad is to built in fact. It won’t be a long one., but it will be a
railroad. It will be less than two miles long and will be built from the
sawmill of the Big Bend and Redding Lumber Company, situated on the Sacramento
River east of town, to a point on the Southern Pacific Railroad below Redding.
Of course, it
will be for the shipment of lumber exclusively. In order to acquire a right to
condemn property for the right of way, a Company has been organized, a charter
will be secured and a real railroad built.
The sawmill
industry is a new one in Redding, the timber for the manufacture of lumber being
floated down the Pit and Sacramento Rivers from the Beg Bend of the former, for
a distance of sixty miles or more, as fully explained recently in The Bee.
PINIONED
UNDER WAGON, DRIVER HAS CLOSE CALL
MARYSVILLE (Yuba Co.), November 25 - S.C. KYES, of this
city, who drives a delivery wagon for a local furniture house, had a thrilling
experience last evening as the result of a runaway.
On High Street
his horse suddenly became frightened and, turning sharply about, capsized the
wagon. Kyes, who was seated on the seat of the vehicle, was pinioned beneath
the wagon, the edge of the seat resting on his throat and almost causing
strangulation.
Luckily, two
citizens chanced to pass and they released Kyes from his perilous position and
held the horse by the head until things were righted.
Much interest
centered in the game as it was one of the schedule of the
Both teams
scored a touchdown in the first half and both failed in very difficult goal
kicks. In this inning
Both teams
went into the second half determined to win and the contest was one of the most
stubbornly fought ever witnessed in this city, especially the latter part of
it. Favored by good luck and some exceedingly strenuous work the local
gladiators managed to carry the ball across the gridiron for a touchdown, but
failed to kick the goal.
Twice during
the half
Woodland was
aided in making her second touchdown by a fluke play which netted her about 20
yards, and the clever work of End SCOFFIELD, who twice at critical times
secured the ball on fumbles, in both instances to the material gain of his
team.
GRAY,
Woodland’s fullback, was put out of the game with a wrenched shoulder. LUDDEN,
a tackle, suffered a badly sprained knee early in the game, but pluckily played
it out. Several other men on both sides were temporarily out of commission and
time was taken out frequently.
The boys here
are delighted with the conduct of the
FISTFIGHT
INTERRUPTED FOOTBALL GAME AT
The touchdown
for the
During the
second half of the game a brother of George
WOMAN
WILL NOT TALK OF THE MACY SHOOTING
The prisoner
will say nothing regarding the case and has given out no clue as to the cause
of the shooting. It is learned that she has stated she is married and that her
husband is connected in some way with the Grand Opera House in
MRS.
McKILNEY’S MINE
AUBURN (Placer Co.), November 25 - An instrument filed
in the Recorder’s office here yesterday for the Molly Stark Mining Company,
discloses one of its shareholders to have been the late lamented President
William McKINLEY. Mrs. McKinley is one of the present stockholders. The mine is
situated at Bloomer, a couple of miles south of this city.
TWO
POPULAR
VALLEJO (Solano Co.), November 25 - Wedding bells rang
merrily in
Charles GREEN,
another popular young Vallejoite, led to the altar Miss Lulu AYLING, the
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Ayling, the Rev. R.L. MACFARLANE performing the
ceremony according to rites of the Episcopal Church.
Receptions were
held at the residences of the parents of both young brides.
MAY
GET LIGHT SENTENCE
OROVILLE (Butte Co.), November 25 - Judge Gray has
fixed Tuesday as the time for passing sentence on WRIGHT, convicted of
manslaughter for the killing of H.C. FARLEY. The jury signed a written request
asking the Judge to be lenient and it is expected this will have the effect of
getting Wright off with a comparatively light sentence. The verdict, though
somewhat of a surprise, meets with general approval.
Submitted by Betty Loose betty@unisette.com
____________________________________
BARTH
STICKS TO HIS STRANGE STORY OF AN INTENDED HOLD-UP
REDDING (Shasta Co.), November 26 - Everybody here has
settled down to the conviction that D.V. BARTH, of Chico, who at first got the
credit of preventing the wrecking of the south-bound express by dynamite this
side of Keswick shortly before midnight Thursday, is really the man who put the
four sticks of dynamite on the rails. In other words, the whole affair was a
pure fake on his part in order to get credit for a heroic rescue and probably a
collection from the passengers and the gratitude of the railroad.
Detective
AHERN, of the Southern Pacific force, who arrived here last evening, is of the
opinion that Barth played the part of a mock hero and he says he is at a loss
to know what charge can be placed against the
Barth came to
Red Bluff Tuesday evening and to
He walked to
Keswick, five miles, in the afternoon, leaving his baggage behind him. He
reached Keswick at
He has told
conflicting stories. His descriptions of the two bandits are confusing. He
can’t or doesn’t keep to his text. He said the paper he burned was a
Officers
visited the scene yesterday by daylight. They could find no trace or track of
bandits. Not the least sign of tracks could be found anywhere.
His story of
his meeting the bandits doesn’t wash. When they saw him they said, “It’s all
off with us now,” according to Barth, a very unlikely statement to wreck a
whole train and rob it. It seems unreasonable that they would have let him off
so easily when the stakes they were playing were so great.
Barth pretends
to be an Odd Fellow. Perhaps he is, for he exhibited a receipt from
The prisoner
was again interviewed this morning by Railroad Detective Ahern, but stuck to
his story. He was told that two fishermen, honest men, lived in a cabin within
100 yards of where he said the bandits had hidden, but that they had not heard
pistol or rifle firing. They were up and awake at the time and had heard the
train whistle as it reached Keswick. It was so long coming that one of them
suggested a possible hold-up. Barth’s reply was to intimate that the fishermen
might know more than it would be wise for them to tell.
He had $10
when he reached
ATWELL
IN TROUBLE
AUBURN (Placer Co.), November 26 - George F. ATWELL,
whose skull was fractured by Herbert THOMAS at Colfax in a row over cards some
time ago, and whose life was for a time despaired of, became embroiled in
another difficulty a few days since, and during the row caught his foot on the
foot-rail in front of the bar and sustained a compound fracture of the ankle.
Atwell has the
reputation of being quarrelsome man, and his skull-crushing experience seems to
have had no effect on his pugnacious tendencies.
ADOLPH
WEBER MAY BE TRIED ON THE BANK ROBBERY FIRST
Officers Thought to Have Secured Strong Evidence
Against Him - Speculation as to Attorneys - Prisoner Not Well
Preparations
are under way for swearing to a complaint charging the bank robbery to Adolph
Weber, and the arrest of the prisoner is looked for to-day. The bank officials
are anxious to have the case brought to a climax. Vice-President Lubeck was in
consultation with District Attorney Robinson yesterday afternoon, and it is
thought that this conference is significant of the predicted arrest of young
Weber on the bank robbery charge.
The
arrangement, as was explained last night, is to give the charge of bank robbery
precedence over the charge of murder that now stands against the prisoner, and
bring the robbery charge to trial first. The rumor of a few days ago to the
effect that the bank had been settled with for the theft, has accelerated the
action of the bank officials, who desire the charge to be confirmed or the
defendant acquitted, and efforts will be made to get the District Attorney’s
consent to have the latter case tried first.
This will
bring another preliminary examination close at hand if the expected early
arrest takes place. The only evidence now against Weber as being the bank
robber is the strong similarity which his hand writing bears to that on the
check presented to Assistant Cashier McFadyen, which was a demand for “all the
money in the Placer County Bank.”
Points
Against Weber
McFadyen’s
strong conviction that Weber was the man; the fact that he noticed the
unusually large features of the robber, which are a strong characteristic of
the young man toward whom suspicion now points, and the fact that Weber was
seen coming from the direction where the robber sought seclusion, are the three
points which have built the belief that the bank robber is none other than the
beardless youth who now lies in the County Jail charged with the assassination
and cremation of his kinfolk.
If Druggist
Fred STEVENS could have brought down the fleeing bank robber when he fired on
him the day of the robbery, when the latter beat a hasty and successful retreat
down Main Street, the bank would have been saved a loss of nearly $5000, and
the Weber family might have been alive to-day. Such is the view of those who
consider Adolph Weber guilty of both crimes.
As yet the
accused youth has not discussed the bank robbery and but little reference has
been made to it in his presence. The only allusion made to it during Weber’s
preliminary examination was when Vice-President D.W. Lubeck was on the stand
and being questioned about the rumored settlement of the elder Weber with the
bank.
If the
suspicion that has been against Weber as being the bank robber had not dawned
upon him up to that moment, he did not show any signs of dismay or fear, but
sat calmly listening to the attorneys who engaged in heated debate over
admitting any of Mr. Lubeck’s testimony. If the prisoner is convicted of the
robbery charge it will not be because he lacks the fortitude to face his
accusers and calmly assert his innocence.
Withal Weber’s
poor physical condition he will never lose his courage. He will never break
down so long as there is the faintest chance for the acquittal.
Prisoner
Not Well
The prisoner
is suffering from his chronic ailment, dyspepsia, and even the plain foods he
partakes of cause him distress. Yesterday morning he ate a light breakfast, and
at
Last evening
his guardian, John Adams, and one of his attorneys, Sam J. PULLEN, had quite a
lengthy interview with the prisoner.
The question
of counsel is still unsettled, Ben P. Tabor, one of the defendant’s present
attorneys, has been in
It has been
the desire among the friends and relatives of the deceased Webers to have L.L.
CHAMBERLAIN, a well-known local criminal lawyer, associated in the management
of the prosecution, but this is not likely to be accomplished, as the District
Attorney is exceedingly unfriendly toward Chamberlain, and will not consent to
his being associated with him. Mr. Chamberlain, however, has given those who
want him to assist in the prosecution until next Monday to arrange it.
Robinson’s
Choice
It has been
rumored, also, that Geo. W. HAMILTON is the choice of the District Attorney as
an assistant and that Mr. Hamilton is the only attorney here whom the District
Attorney will consent to be associated with.
The story in
one of yesterday’s papers that Weber had made a partial confession is another
“press dream” which found its foundation in a simple remark of the prisoner on
the courses he took from his house the night of the murder. It was on this
statement, however, that the general public decided he was not telling the
truth of his movements previous to the fire.
The testimony of
May
Attorney Sam
J. Pullen,, in conversation with a Bee correspondent this morning, spoke in a
general way of his visit yesterday afternoon to the prisoner.
“Yesterday was
the first time I realized what it means to a man to be in prison. Mr. Adams and
I visited Adolph in his cell, and a more dreary, melancholy place it would be
hard to imagine. Shut out from the sunshine of day, save a few straggling beams
of light form the top of the heavily-barred windows, the place was almost dark
at the time of our visit.”
“Does Adolph
seem to be cheerful?”
“Yes,” replied
Mr. Pullen, “he chatted pleasantly with us and did not seem to mind his
surroundings.”
The attorney,
however, did not hint at the nature of his visit, but talked more about his
impressions from inside the bars, which were rather depressing.
Mr. Pullen
left for
YOUNG
WEBER WORE NO COAT TO BECOME BLOODSTAINED
SAN FRANCISCO, November 26 - Sheriff Keena, of Placer
County, was in this city yesterday afternoon, and, in the company with the
Pinkerton detective who has been detailed on the case, investigated many clews
discovered during the past three or four days. While neither the Sheriff nor
Assistant Superintendent REIMER would consent to talk about the matter last
night, it is known that their investigations here are being confined mainly to
the murder case.
Considerable
excitement was raised by the story published a day or two ago to the effect
that the officials of Placer County were making diligent search for Adolph
Weber’s waistcoat, which, it is stated, he wore on the night of the murders,
and which was covered with bloodstains. It is probable that the officers would
have hunted a long time for this piece of evidence, had it not been for the
fact that their very first inquiries brought out the fact that the prisoner has
not worn a waistcoat for many months past.
It is known
that since the preliminary examination before Justice E. O. SMITH was brought
to a close, on Tuesday last, more evidence has been brought to light that
serves to connect the boy with the crime than was shown by the witnesses placed
on the stand. The exact nature of this testimony the prosecution, naturally,
will not disclose, but the Auburn officials and the others who have been
brought into the case are absolutely confident that if the case was brought to
trial to-morrow enough actual evidence could be procured to satisfy a jury
beyond a shadow of a doubt.
CLUB
WOMEN AT
Northern District Members of State Federation in
Annual Session
WOODLAND (Yolo Co.), November 26 - The third annual Convention
of the Women’s Club of the Northern District of he State Federation of Women’s
Clubs was held in the parlors of the Hotel Julian, in this city, yesterday
afternoon. It proved a very interesting and profitable session.
There were
delegates present representing
Mrs. George
LAWS, the State President, was present and her address was one of the features
of the session.
The delegates
arrived on the
Mrs. LITTLE,
of Corning, was elected Vice-President unanimously, vice Mrs. W.H. LAWSON, of
Berkeley, term expired.
Mrs. Robert
DEVLIN, of Sacramento, was chosen the District member of the Nominating
Committee of the State Federation, and Mrs. WEINSTOCK, of Sacramento, was
chosen to represent the District on the State Federation’s Credential
Committee.
The following
program was rendered: Invocation, Mrs. ATKINSON; greeting, Miss C.M. BLOWERS;
vocal solo, Mrs. W.H. GRANT; reports of standing Committee; address, Mrs. Geo
Law SMITH, State President C.F.W.C.; “Settlement Work,” Mrs. J.J. FITZGERALD;
“Sacramento Civic Work,” Mrs. H.E. WRIGHT; “Work of the Woman’s Council,” Mrs.
Robt. DEVLIN, Tuesday Club, Sacramento; vocal solo, Miss PRIOR; “Civic Work in
Sacramento Valley,” Mrs. W.P. CRAIG, President Woodland Improvement Club; “Yolo
County History,” Miss Kate SIMMONS; reports of Club Presidents.
WOMAN
AT THE BOTTOM OF IT
Father of Injured Husband Slashed Across Face
Riley-Reynolds
Elopement Bids Fair to Cause More Bloodshed at Cedarville
ALTURAS (Modoc Co.), November 26 - As an outcome of
the elopement of Mrs. Roy REYNOLDS and James RILEY, at Cedarville, the story of
which was fully told in The Bee last Wednesday, a serious cutting affray took
place here in which the father of the wronged husband was slashed across the
face by a man who resented his remarks about Riley and the disgraced woman.
It was stated
in The Bee’s former report that old Mr. Reynolds took his son’s misfortune much
to heart and that he had armed himself, vowing revenge. He has discussed the
affair freely and has been very bitter in his remarks. His wound is quite
severe, the knife having laid open his face from his nose to his ear. He was
given prompt medical assistance and no doubt will recover, notwithstanding his
age.
No arrest has
so far been made and it is not thought one will be. Further trouble, however,
is expected. While the elopement itself is condemned, both Riley and the woman
have friends who resent the manner in which their conduct is denounced. Men
have armed themselves and threats are freely made. Unless the partisans of both
sides quiet down it is difficult to see how more bloodshed can be avoided.
The
whereabouts of Riley and the woman is not known. They made good their escape
notwithstanding the pursuit that was instituted as soon as the injured husband
learned of the elopement. It is presumed the child is still with them. Riley
had little money and it is certain he and his guilty companion must stop in their
flight soon in order that he can obtain work to support Mrs. Reynolds. Whether
they headed for the East after striking the railroad, or turned West has not
been discovered.
The youth of
the parties more immediately concerned is one of the most distressing features
of the case in the opinion of many. Reynolds is 24, Riley a year younger, and
the woman but 19. She had not been married very long and as far as the public
knew was contented with her condition. Aside from the fact established by
experience that elopements of this character rarely, if ever, turn out well,
information obtainable is to the effect that Mrs. Reynolds made a might poor
choice in the man she selected to run away with.
BONNER’S
BANK TO SUSPEND WHILE ESTATE IS SETTLED
ALTURAS (Modoc Co.), November 26 - The bank of John H.
BONNER at Cedarville will temporarily suspend business until the estate can be
settled. The bank was operated as an individual concern by the late owner and
will have to pass through the Probate Court.
It is expected
that the bank will pass into the hands of other parties as soon as a transfer
can be made, as the heirs do not care to continue the business if a sale can be
effected. Two or three parties are now investigating the property and location
expecting to place offers of purchase on same.
It was stated
to-night that local parties have succeeded in securing promises of enough
business men throughout the valley to take up all the stock that will be for
sale in the new institution, if started.
ETNA PHYSICIAN
WEDS AT HOME OF BROTHER
YREKA (Siskiyou Co.), November 26 - On Thanksgiving
day, at the residence of George TEBBE, in this city, his brother, Frederick
Henry Tebbe, of Etna, and Miss May LICHENS, of Oak Bar, were united in the holy
bonds of matrimony. The wedding was a quiet affair, only a few intimate friends
and relatives being present.
The groom is a
promising young physician of Etna, and is well known throughout the county. The
bride is a beautiful and talented young woman, and for some time has been one
of the leading school teachers in the county.
The happy
couple left on the afternoon train for the Southern part of the State on their
honeymoon after which they will return to Etna and make their future home.
Submitted by Betty Loose betty@unisette.com
____________________________________
HAPPENINGS
AROUND THE BAY
A Would-Be
Bigamist - While talking over the counter to the girl he had promised to wed,
Laurence ALEXANDER, an employe of a Market Street store, was confronted
Saturday evening by the woman with whom he had already gone through the
marriage ceremony. As Alexander had sworn out a marriage license to enable him
to marry the second time without going through the formality of divorce
proceedings, his wife immediately had him arrested on a charge of perjury.
Water Board Elections - Every effort is being put
forth by the Oakland City Council to comply with all the necessary
preliminaries for calling a bond election at which the voters will be asked to
express themselves with regard to purchasing a water plant, prior to the time
when the present Council will turn over the affairs of the city to another
administration.
Investigating Hazing - With the intention of punishing
those responsible for his son’s injury, Albert de ROME, the father of Albert T.
de ROME, who was hazed by some students of the Hopkins Art Institute, has begun
an investigation of the hazing. He threatens prosecution, should his son’s
injuries prove permanent.
Cab Struck By a Car - From under the wreckage of a
demolished cab, with an injured horse kicking close to their heads, Mrs. M.A.
BAIRD, a pretty widow, and her friend, Mrs. D.A. EASTIN, of Nevada, were
rescued just after midnight Saturday after a collision with an electric car.
They bear only slight injuries as a result of their experience.
Born On a Street Car - Tucked snugly away in a cot at
the Central Eergency (sic)Hospital in San Francisco and engaging the combined attention
of two nurses, the physician and a corpe of attendants, Baby JENNINGS last
night celebrated her advent into this world with more than usual ado. Two hours
before she had arrived on a
Gas Causes Her Death - Mrs. Mary GILLISPIE, who
resided at Sunset, was found dead in her room Saturday night from accidental
gas asphyxiation. The key of the gas fixture was very defective.
Clawed By a Lion - Captain Charles HENDRICKS, lion
tamer at the Chutes, had a close call yesterday. Performing his special Sunday
morning stunt, he entered the cage of Sutan, and a few minutes later
accidentally slipped to the floor. The watchful brute sprang on the tamer’s
prostrate body at once, clawing him severely on the leg, tearing the flesh open
almost to the bone. Captain Hendricks would unquestionably have been much more
seriously injured had he not instantaneously drawn his revolver and fired
several blank cartridges in the face of the lion. During the animal’s momentary
astonishment the lion tamer crawled to the door and escaped.
They Stand By Hale - Because of the action of the
University authorities in dismissing W.T. HALE, editor of the Daily
Californian, from college for one year, friends of the young student editor
have determined to give him a banquet in testimony of their admiration and
esteem.
Debt Refunding - The refunding of the bonded debt on
the Southern Pacific Railroad Company amounting to nearly $70,000,000, is in a
fair way of accomplishment, and the new issue will be underwritten by Kuhn,
Loeb & Co., the
Fake Advertising - As a culmination to a series of
fake stories put in circulation for the purpose of obtaining newspaper
notoriety, an attempted suicide took place behind the scenes of “The Runaways”
Saturday night at
Killed By a Train - Mattie JACKSON was the name of the
young woman who was killed by the
Army Officer in Trouble - Captain Amos H. MARTIN, of
the Fourteenth Infantry, has been ordered home from the
Pioneer Dead - Theodore F. JEROME, a pioneer of
A Dangerous Practice - The
Accidentally Shot - In
Made Blind By a Wound - Pretty 17-year-old Octavia
McCARTHY, who was shot and wounded near to death by her insanely jealous
husband in
Miners’ Convention - There will be between 200 and 300
delegates at the annual Convention of the California Miners’ Association, to be
held in San Francisco on December 5th, 6th, 7th
and 8th.
In Jail With Husband - Rather that be parted from her
husband, who occupies a tank in the San Francisco city prison, Mrs. Charles
JACOBS Saturday night registered as a lodger at the jail and spent the night on
the hard boards of a prison bunk.
Gun Exploded - While shooting at ducks from a blind in
the marsh near Pinole Saturday, Dr. J.W. KEY, of
In Hospital Thirty-three Years - Andres Henry VARRATH,
for thirty-three years an inmate of the
VALLEJO (Solano Co.), November 28 - Saturday evening
was a big and important one in the history of the Improved Order of Red Men in
TWO-YEAR-OLD
CHILD SWALLOWS ARSENIC TABLET
WEAVERVILLE (Trinity Co.), November 28 - The little
3-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Fred JOHNSON got hold of a box of arsenic
tablets Saturday and swallowed all of them. Fortunately, the fact was
discovered immediately and medical aid was quickly at hand. Proper remedies
were given and the life of the little one was saved.
DEATH
OF A PIONEER RESIDENT OF MARYSVILLE
MARYSVILLE (Yuba Co.), November 28 - Mrs. Hannah O.
McLAUGHLIN, a pioneer resident of this city, died Saturday at the advanced age
of 72. Despite her years she was a woman of striking physique and up to a few
weeks ago, when she suffered a stroke of paralysis, she retained remarkably
good health.
Mrs.
McLaughlin was a native of
CAUGHT
WITH THE GOODS
MARYSVILLE (Yuba Co.), November 28 - Albert COOK, a
stranger here, who was formerly employed at Sacramento, appropriated the valise
of Frank McSHANE at one of the hotels Saturday night and was about to leave
town on the Oregon Express when apprehended by Officers BECKER and SINGLE. He
will answer a grand larceny charge.
BURGLARS
HELD TO ANSWER
MARYSVILLE (Yuba Co.), November 28 - John ALLEN and
William LEWIS, who burglarized a room in the Dawson House on the 19th
inst, were held Saturday night by Judge RAISH to answer before the Superior
Court. Bonds were fixed at $1000.
ELKS’
MEMORIAL SERVICES
MARYSVILLE (Yuba Co.), November 28 - Marysville Lodge
of Elks will hold its annual memorial services privately this year and next
Sunday evening has been announced as the time. Hon. Seth MILLINGTON, of Colusa,
will deliver the eulogy and District Attorney BRITTAN of this city will be the
orator.
MAY
HAVE RATE WAR
DEATH
OF PROMINENT FARMER
FIFTEEN
YEARS FOR WAYSMAN
He was Found
Guilty of Murder In Second Degree
After Sentence Had Been Pronounced He Remarked That He
Did Not Have a Fair Trial - Higher Value Placed on Human Life in
REDDING (Shasta Co.), November 28 - Thomas WAYSMAN
will serve fifteen years in the State penitentiary for killing Patrick PHILBIN
at Keswick on July 16th last. That was the sentence pronounced by
Judge HEAD in the Superior Court Saturday evening at
The jury had
found Waysman guilty of murder in the second degree and recommended him to the
mercy of the Court. In passing sentence Judge HEAD remarked that while the
recommendation was not within the province of the jury, he would take it under
consideration. He might have given the defendant a life sentence, but as
Waysman is fifty years old, a fifteen-year term does not lack much of being
good for life.
Waysman
remarked, after his sentence had been pronounced, that he had not had a fair
trial. He has this idea because two important witnesses on his behalf could not
be found when the trial came off, but as they had testified fully at the
preliminary examination and the transcript of that testimony was read at the
trial, Waysman’s case did not suffer because of their absence.
The result of
this murder trial is a further notice that human life will be respected in
CHARGES MAY BE PLACED AGAINST BARTH
REDDING (Shasta Co.), November 28 - D.V. BARTH, of
Chico, who is accused of putting dynamite upon the railroad track near Keswick,
and claiming the credit of preventing a hold-up, has not yet been released from
custody, as it has been reported, but at noon to-day was still in jail at
Redding.
No charges
have as yet been put against Barth, and unless charges are preferred by
to-morrow, he will be released. At the present time, however, the District
Attorney of
BODY
NOT IDENTIFIED
STOCKTON (San Joaquin Co.), November 28 - The body of
the man found drowned in the San Joaquin River near Fourteen-Mile
Submitted by Betty Loose betty@unisette.com
____________________________________
HIDDEN
TREASURE HAS BEEN FOUND ON WEBER PROPERTY
Money Stolen
From Placer County Bank Dug Up in Calf Pasture - $5500 Recovered and $825 Still
Missing - When Told of Discovery Young Weber’s Actions Indicated Guilt
Stuck
Pick Into Treasure
John MOYNAHAN
and Benjamin DEPENDENER were working with GEAR at the time of the discovery.
The coin was buried in a lard can, and was about eighteen inches under the
ground. Gear was digging with a pick, and stuck the point of his implement
through the can. He knew at once by the ring of the gold that he had discovered
the hidden treasure.
He and his
companions dug up the can, and found that it contained $5500 in gold coin. The
coin is somewhat discolored, as it was buried in a wet portion of the pasture,
and water has been running over it. The money is now in possession of Sheriff
KEENS, of
Actions
Equivalent to Confession
While he was in
his cell in the
D.W. LUBECK, the bank’s Vice-President, who
offered the reward of $1000 for the return of the money, and $500 for
information that would convict the robber, says he believes the money found was
that stolen from the bank. He says the money stolen from the bank was mostly in
$20 gold pieces, and that found by Gear is of twenties also. He says the exact
amount of money stolen from the bank is $6365, and that $825 is still missing.
The Grand Jury
meets to-morrow and the District Attorney will take the matter before it, and
ask that young Weber be indicted on the robbery charge.
Bank
Checks Also Found
In addition
to the discovery of the money, another piece of important evidence has been
discovered by some small boys. Near the
Contest
Over Estate
The contest for
the control of the administration of the estates of Julius WEBER and Mrs. Mary
WEBER will begin in Judge PREWETT’s Court to-morrow morning. Public
Administrator SHEPARD has filed papers of contest. The right of John ADAMS, the
prisoner’s guardian, to act as administrator has been questioned. Shepard has
also applied for letters of administration of the estates left by Bertha and
little Earl.
The Weber
estate is worth about $60,000. Young Weber is well supplied with money, and has
$1900 in the bank, which he cannot draw until next October.
Snowden’s
Hire Attorney
Attorney L.L.
CHAMBERLAIN has been employed by the SNOWDENs to assist in the prosecution.
Whether or not this will be agreeable to the District Attorney cannot be stated
at this time.
ATTORNEYS
THINK YOUNG WEBER WILL BREAK DOWN
AUBURN (Placer Co.), November 28 - By what route did
Adolph WEBER reach COHN’s store on the night of November 10th when
he purchased the pants to replace his old ones which he claimed he tore on a
fire hydrant as he was passing along the first route he says he took while on a
constitutional spin for exercise as had been his habit? This question becomes
more enigmatical as the Weber investigation silently proceeds.
The situation
has grown calmer and no excitement is displayed by the citizens in discussing
the fratricide. It is now eighteen days since the occurrence of the horror that
has startled the whole world by its fiendish atrociousness, and the many
mysterious phases the case has presented since the investigation begun has kept
it a constant problem which each citizen has bent his mental energy to solve.
While the
actors in the Weber tragedy have temporarily left the stage the plot continues
to thicken, and almost any development would not bring surprise.
His
Story Doubted
From the moment
Weber made this first statement and detailed the route he traveled from the
Weber home to Cohn’s store, the public doubted his story. The people reasoned
that it was not possible for a man (even in an excited and distracted state of
mind, which the prisoner was not, if he had no knowledge of the crime) to be
unable to state definitely which street he had taken to reach the store as
Weber claimed in his first statement to be unable to do.
The route he
claims to have taken to reach High Street is one hundred yards from the point
where he was seen by May
No one seems
to have seen the defendant before he reached Cohn’s store. Witnesses saw him
afterward. He entered the north door of the store.
Shoes
Said to Have Been Wet
During the
examination it did not appear that there was anything unusual in the appearance
of the defendants’ shoes or socks on the night of the fire.
Yesterday the officers
were informed that Weber, on the night of the fire, was given a pair of socks
in exchange for his own, which are said to have been wet.
This
information has given rise to a new theory as to how Weber reached Cohn’s store
on the fatal night. A tributary to
The
New Theory
The new theory
is that the accused, on coming out of Brewery lane, and in order to avoid
meeting any one, entered the creek where it passed under the first buildings at
the end of the lane, and made his way along the subterranean passage under the
buildings along Main Street until he came to Cohn’s store. Here the building is
so arranged that easy egress could be made on the street without being noticed.
It is also suggested that it was while passing through this dark subway the
defendant’s pants were torn, instead of on the fire hydrant, which he claims.
Boards
Were Removed
The accused man
could have made another exit from the creek at the rear of J.A. PREDOM’s
printing office. There is a slight cave in the ravine bank next to Predom’s
sidewalk on Washington Street, over which two boards had been laid to prevent
any one passing along there from stepping into the hole caused by the cave.
These boards were found to have been partially removed the day after the fire,
though the fact was not then thought to be a significant one. If this latest
theory is correct, Weber may have slipped out from the ravine by the
last-mentioned way, or from underneath the rear of Cohn’s store.
May Clark’s
testimony that Weber passed her house going toward town at 6:45 and Joseph GOLDBERG’s
statement that he entered the Cohn store at 6:55 would have given him ten
minutes to cover the distance by the ravine route, which is just about the time
the underground course would have taken, and excluded any one meeting him on
the street coming from the direction of his home, which was undoubtedly the
intention.
Weber’s
Actions at Snowden Home
Weber’s
suspicious actions at the Snowden home when Under Sheriff MAY left the premises
and went to the Weber property the day after the fire, are the late
discussions. The officer suspicioned that Weber would be eager to watch his
movements after he left. Weber’s movements were closely watched after May’s
departure, and the accused man went in to an upstairs room, where he was
discovered looking intently out of a window observing the officer’s movements.
Thinks
Prisoner Will Break Down
Deputy
District Attorney LOWELL is confident that the prisoner will break down before
long.
“In my
opinion,” he said, “sixty days’ imprisonment will make a mental and physical
wreck of the defendant. It does not matter whether he be abnormal or not, he
cannot stand the strain under which he is laboring very long. The actions of
the prisoner now show that he is weakening.”
This opinion
is shared by many who believe the prisoner’‘s adamantine character toward his
accusers to be softening.
Warrant
Formally Served
The warrant for
Weber’s arrest as the robber of the Placer County Bank has been issued for
several days, but was not served until yesterday afternoon. As stated in
Saturday’s Bee, it was expected to serve it Saturday, but for some reason
Sheriff KEENA withheld it until yesterday afternoon, when he entered the
prisoner’s cell and read the complaint, which was sworn to by A.L. SMITH, the
bank’s cashier. The formality of the arrest was done very quietly, and but a
few were aware of it.
His
Defiant Air
Weber received
the news in the usual manner he has met all the accusations, and the arrest was
uneventful. After the warrant had been read to the accused he turned away and
walked to the other side of his cell, his head in the air and defiant.
Visitors and
interviewers have been positively prohibited from seeing the prisoner, and only
those who are in authority are permitted to converse with him. Weber knows
nothing of press reports as the newspapers have been kept from him.
Robbery
Charge Will Be Tried First
The arrest on
the charge of robbery will for a time set aside the charge of murder, as it is
said to be the intention of the District Attorney, as stated in Saturday’s Bee,
to have the charge of robbery tried first. The bank officials are anxious to
prosecute, and bring the matter to an end.
Submitted by Betty Loose betty@unisette.com
_________________________________________
© Copyright 2003-Present by Nancy Pratt Melton