The Shasta courier., 1858-03-13
Why he did It.

Mr.. Stacey left Philadelphia for San Francisco
in 1856. He went to seek his fortune but found
the elephant. He the scritter and instead
of digging for gold, made up his mind to dig
out and put for home. He arrived on Tuesday
last in this city. He is well known here, and
has always enjoyed a good character and yet
on Wednesday morning was arrested for stealing
watch from Mr.. Benson, his neighbor The
case was examined on Thursday before mag
istrate
State your case, Mr. Benson
We'll, sir, was at the railroad depot on
Tuesday last, waiting for the cars to come in
While doing this, felt somebody snatch my
watch. | Immediately turned round and seized
the prisoner, who was the nearest man to me.
then called a policeman
What thenY
'We took him to the staton-h house, where he
was searched and the watch found upon his
person.
What is the value of the watchp
Some thirty-fve dollars
Such being the case the offence amounts to
grand larceny. What have you to say to the
charge, Staceyp
Nothing, except that am as innocent of the
crime as you are
Innocent, nonsensel How came Mr. Ben
sons watch in your pocket?
Cant say. All | know is that it was found
there
And that you must allow, is very strong
confirmation of your guilt
81 know it, sir, and yet I'm innocent
The protest, however, did not avail much
The matter appeared to be so clear and undis-
puted an act of felony, that the magistrate conf
nenced making out a commitment. Just as he
was putting tail to the last Y, a green looking
customer got up and asked the magistrate if he
might have swear
'ln what caser
eThis one about the watch
rWhat do you know about it?'
Administer the oath and you'll find out, may
be-
The oath was administered and the examina-
ton resumed.
What is your name?'
William P. Brown
Where do you reside
Sin c. street.
Have you ever seen that watch :?
Yes, sir-eel have seen it on two occasions
the last time when it was taken from Stacey's
pocket
Then you saw it taken from Staceys pocket,
did your
l did sir, and saw more than that. saw
it go in there
This is very important, sir. You saw the
watch taken from Benson?'
| did SIR
Here Mr.. R, the counsel for Benson
hinted to the court that the case might as well
close, as the felony had been proved beyond all
questioning. The magistrate viewed matters
differently, and decided to let Brown have his
swear out.
well, Brown, go on with your story. You
say you saw Stacey place the watch in his
pocket
No stree; didn't say anything of the kind
because it not so'
Not so. What do you mean?
Just this; that Benson placed the watch in
Stacey's pocket himself, and then hollered .Po
hcer'
'Possibler
Yes, sir. But that amt all, squire. know
What he did 1t for. Shall tell you?
DO so in as few words as possible
For the last fifteen months Mr.. Benson has
been running line with Stacey's wife, and be
wishes to keep up the fun for the remainder of
the season. To do this pleasantly, he wishes to
get Stacey out Of the city. To effect this, he
mas fastened a felony upon him, and is now
STRIVING to get him into the pententiary.'
The testimony of Mr.. Brown filled the court
with astonishment. The magistrate called upon
Mr. Benson, who was discoucerted and did not
reply The result was, that he was held for
perjury, while Stacey was honorably discharged
and all brought about by Mr. Brown having a
swear. The magistrate allowed that the case
was one OF the most infamous conspiracies ever
developed before court of Justice -Phiiodelphia
Sunday Mercury.