Los Angeles daily herald., 1888-08-03
THE LUCAS CASE.
The Defendant Tells His
Own Story.
NEWS ABOUT THE. COMING FAIR.
Political Meetings and Other Local
Events of Interest to the
Public.

slowly along in Judge Cheney's court.
Mrs. Lucas took the stand and told about
the searching of the house by Detectives
Harris and Metzler.
J. G. Wilmer told how Elton had said
to him that he had come down to Los
Angeles with the intention of doing up
prominent man.. He saw Elton with
property in his possession which he be-
lieved to be stolen. Elton had once
come into Lucas office but the witness
had ordered him out Mr.. Wilmer was
in Lucas employ at the time and was so
still.
Thos. H. Whipple, another of Lucas
men, told how he had been ordered by
his chief to kick Elton out whenever he
put in an appearance at the office. Ell
toms name was never on the books of
the establishment.
The afternoon session began with the
examination of F. A. Dunbar, a man
who is interested in the sale of roof
paint. He testified that about the fifth
Of April he was standing in front OF
Lucas Office on Main street and saw
Elton give the stolen articles to the de-
tective. The witness was standing only
few feet away and heard Lucas ask if
the articles were stolen and heard Elton
say that they were not. On second
occasion, just before the arrest Of Elton,
similar performance took place on the
same spot with the same people present.
Elton handed over the purse and pistol
asking Lucas to give the purse to his
|~ife and to keep the pistol as he was
i'd he was going to be arrested and
mot want it found on his person. The
I itness never once saw Elton in Lucas
Office although he was frequently in that
office himself. He had seen Elton's pict-
ure in the rogue's gallery but had heard
him say that he intended to reform
and was acting as special policeman for
the Salvation Army. On cross.examina-
alton Mr.. Dunbar admitted that he was
and had been in Lucas employ, that he
worked his selling of paint and detective
work together.
H. B. Sessions, a professional detect
i've, next took the stand and told how he
made the acquaintance of Elton under
the name Of Grow. Elton told him that
he was night clerk of the st. Elmo. Mr..
Sessions corroborated the testimony OF
Dunbar in the matter of the deposit OF
the stolen articles with Lucas and the
circumstances of that transaction, Wit
ness had heard Lucas say that Elton
was not to be allowed to come into the
office. Sessions declared that he was
not working for Lucas now, but he had
been most of the winter. Before he was
detective he was a lightning rod agent
The defendant, A. E. Lucas, then took
the stand in his own behalf and told his
story. He came to Los Angeles from
San Francisco in March, 1887. He
first made the acquaintance of Elton in
San Francisco in 1886 when the latter
came to his Office and asked for work.
He told a pitiful story of having wand
cred over here from London, and being
now without lodgings or any means of
getting food. Lucas gave him money,
clothes and place to work. He started
him in as office boy, but soon put him at
shadowing. When Elton was taken sick
he had him taken to the hospital and
suitably cared for. In return for this
Elton made q cruel effort to blackmail
the lady who afterwards became Lucas
wife. Lucas caught him at it, and
searched him, taking away a revolver
and badge. For this Elton had Lucas
arrested, but he was acquitted. The
next time he heard of Elton
he was in San Rafael in trouble.
he received many letters from Elton
but never answered them. Last April
Elton turned up here in Los Angeles and
asked Lucas for work. He discovered
his picture hanging in the detectives
rogues' gallery and begged him to take it
down as he intended to reform. Said he
was selling harness attachment. Lucas
swore that he never employed Elton in
any capacity or for any work at any time.
The stolen articles were handed over to
him for safe keeping and he took them,
knowing they were stolen and with the
intention Of turning them over to the
authorities. At the first oportunity, he
had mentioned the matter to Chief Cuddy
and Detective Marsh. The story about
the badge was all lie and the star
which Elton wore bore no resemblance
to that used by the agency.
This testimony took most of the after
noon. Mr.. Lucas will be cross,exam-
ined tomorrow.
GIVE THE DEVIL HIS DUE.
The fact that Elton is a self.confessed
thief and a most preposterous liar, has
been made use of to throw discredit on
all his testimony in the Lucas trial.
Among other stories told by Elton and
discountenanced on the grounds Just set
forth was one to the effect that he had
been offered 500 to take back all his
charges against Lucas. Theo. G. Metzler
last night handed HERALD representa-
tive letter which seems to set this doubt
at rest forever. Here is verbatim copy
of the letter:
JOHN INCOME, BENZ. CHAMBERS,
WARDEN. DEPUTY WARDEN
NJ. A. SMITH, TURNKEY.
TURNKEY's OFFICE, SAN QUENTIN
Prison, MARIN County, CAL,
July 80, 1888 J.
FRIEND METzLER: The subpoena did
not arrive here till Saturday afternoon.
l was in the city at the time and did not
get back till Sunday, which was too late
to attend to the matter. The facts are
that Guard MahoDey was present and
heard Constable Hawkins offer Elton
one hundred dollars if he would deny his
previous statement and make a state
ment that the job on Lucas was put up
by you, Metzler. Mahoney will 60 down
and swear to this if it is necessary to do
SO, but you will have to send subpoena
up for him. M. A. SMITH.
Calf to Democrats.
The Reliance Democratic Club will
hold it's regular weekly meeting this
evening in Judge Hutton's courtroom at
8 O'Clock. Important business will be