Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-08-28
CONE AND THE POLICE.
JUDGE BUCKLEY LISTENS TO VOLUMES
OF INTERESTING TESTIMONY.
Cone Handled without GIoves-Eddv il
Discharged and the Police
Routed.

yesterday TO witness the first grand legal con-
hlct between the police force and the pri-
Vate detective agency run by W. w. Cone
The case was that of Frank Eddy, one of
Cones men, who was arrested last week by
Chief OF Police Lee for vagrancy and carry
ing a concealed weapon. Hiram Johnson
represented the defense, and E. G. Hart ap-
peared as special attorney for the prosecu-
ton.
A jury had been previously demanded
by the defense, but was waived shortly be.
fore the examination began. By agree
ment the charge of vagrancy was first taken
up.
The first witness called for the people
was police officer Carroll. He testified that
he knew Eddy, and had seen him roaming
about the streets at all hours of the day
and night during the past seven or eight
months, apparently without any occupa-
ton or visible means of support; that he
mingled among known thieves and dis
reputable characters.
Name some of the disreputable char
acters you have seen him in company
with, said Mr.. Johnson upon opening the
cross-examinatioE.
We'll, have seen him frequently with
Cone" "-'-
Have you any feeling against Cone or
the men under him ?" was Mr.. Johnson's
next question.
Attorney Hart objected on the ground
that the matter was immaterial to the
issue.
well" said MIR. Johnson, rising 1--WE
may just as well settle this thing right
here. We propose to show that a con-
splracy exists on the part of the police to
throw Cone and every man under him in
jail and break up their business. We will
show that the police well knew the voca-
ton OF these detectives, Eddy in particular,
and IN arresting him they committed one
of the greatest of outrages."
The Court overruled Mr.. Harris objection.
and the witness replied that he, nor the
police IN general, had any feeling in the
matter Whatever. He added, though, that
orders had been issued at police headouar-
ters TO arrest every person who was caught
lmpersonatlng police officer This meant
the private detectives
Policeman Agner gave similar testimony
to that of officer Carroll.
Tim Snyder who works on a ranch a
short distance out of town, was then called
ana related the substance of a converse
ton between himself and Eddy in Nav
last. In that conversation Eddy made a
proposition TO the witness that thew 90
into the mountains and engage in the coun-
terteltlng business. They met again after
wards and Eddy again urged him to ioin
with him IN the nefarious business, this
time suggesting that they could make the
bogus stuff night here in town, in the rear
OF DICK Reeds saloon, near Twenty. third
and S streets
Snyder was subjected to most searching
cross-examination by Mr.. Johnson, but
stuck to his story throughout.
Policeman Rider gave testimony to the
same effect as that given by Carroll and
Agner When asked what disreputable
characters he had seen Eddy in company
with he mentioned the Strauss brothers.
Who are they?" asked Mr. Hart.
"Oh, they're notorious thieves. One of
them is IN the penitentiary now and the
other Is awaiting examination in Wood
land for felonF.'
Ever see Eddy with any other known
thieves?"
We'll, nobody, except Cone"
Attorney Johnson bounded to his feet,
looking very mad. "Why did you make
that remark ?'' he demanded of the witness
in a loud voice.
coolly.
" How Go you know that it is?n
de has been convicted of petty lar
ceny.'
Does that make him thief"
l don't see what else ii could make
him. If had been convicted of petty lar
ceny | certainly should consider myself
thief
q" You are very bitter against Cone and
his men, are you not?"
No; none particularly. l look upon
Eddy as suspicious character, though"
Why ?2
ON account of his looks"
your
Well, partly. have been in the police
business for nine years, and l ought to be
able to pick on. thieves by this time"
Officer Rider was then excused, and Geo.
Johnson, a rancher near Hicksyille, was
called to the stand. Johnson stated that
Eddy had approached him on a similar
proposition as that detailed by Tim SNYDER
to go INTO the counterfeiting business. At
the conclusion of this witness testimony a
recess was taken until the afternoon.
AT The afternoon session Paquon Nc
Dowell took the stand and testified that,
during April lsst, he had frequently seen
=
tornia House, on Front street.
Wiley Coles testimony was 10 the effect
that himself, Eddy and the Strauss broth
ers were engaged in conversation several
months ago when the subject of holding
up" people was discussed. Eddy, be said,
said 1t YVES q good plan" and that there
was money N il. Witness said that at the
time of this conversation he was not aware
OF the bad character of theStrauss brothers,
and, not liking Eddy's style, advised the
brothers not 10 have anything to do with
him, because he thought he was a lard
case.
Richard Reed, now a painter, and for
merly a saloon keeper, was another witness
to whom Eddy had made overtures regard
ing the counterfeiting business. Reed said
he spurned Eddy's proposition with scorn.
Eddy's idea was, he said, that Snyder,
johnson, Reed and several others should
go IN together ia the business and get rich
You boys finally suspected that Eddy
was detective, didn't you ?" asked attor-
ney Johnson.
Well, We put him down as a spotter.''
g But not detective?"
mo"
Do you know what detecrive is p
Well, he is supposed to be peace Of
hcer-one who keeps people out of crime
instead Of leading them into it,
"Oh, no, that's not it, said Mr.. John
son, laughing. You are thinking of that
old, obsolete definition of police officer"
Reed was excused from the stand, and
the prosecution rested its case.
In ms opening statement for the defense
attorney johnson called the attention of
the Court and the prosecution TO a fatal
omission made By the latter in prenarinp
its case namely, an omission to prove that
Eddy was not California Indian-whicb
the law demands before a conviction for va.
grancy can be had. Mr.. johnson waived
this technicality, however, and stated that
they were going TO try the case on its mer-
its. He would show up conspiracy
in the police force to down the Law
and Order League, and 10 down the detec
tives employed by that organization. He
would prove, that not only was Eddy not a
yagrant but that he had worked for liy.
ing continuously for several wears, both in
this city and elsewhere. He said he would
show, too, that after Eddy had been ar
rested he had been refused communication
with his wife, with his attorney, and with
his friends, by the police
w. w. Cone was then called as a wit
ness. He testified that + Idly had been en-
ployed continuously by him as private de-
tective since December last. Some months
ago it was believed that gang of counter.
feiters were operating in this city, and the
witness detailed Eddy TO look the matter