Los Angeles herald., 1890-11-29
OLSEN'S 0VERALLS.
A Damaging Link of Eyi-
dence Against Him.
Were the Stains Upon Them
Ivett's Blood?
That Is Point For the Prosecution
to Prove.
The Examination of August Olsen For
the Murder of Old Man
Ivett Begun.
Press Dispatches.

MERGED, Cal, Nov. 2S.-Justice OF the
Peace Robertson called his court to
order this morning for the purpose of
giving hearing to August Olsen, the
man arrested for killing John Ivett, a
wealthy rancher, November 9th. The
defendant was present, accompanied by
his attorney, N. H. Hatton, of Modesto.
District Attorney Breckenridge asked
that Court Reporter Ostrander be ap-
pointed to serve as reporter in the case,
and that B. F. Fowler, district attorney
elect, be recognized as associate counsel
for the prosecution. The defense then
asked for an order excluding all wit
nesses from the court room. The request
was granted, and the trial of the case be-
gan bv about thirty-fve witnesses be-
ing sworn.
The first two witnesses, Mrs. j. w.
Gibbons and Miss Nacaro, testified that
they knew Olsen, and that they met a
man on the road near Mugler ranch on
the Sunday evening of the murder.
Miss Vacaro was positive that it was
Olsen, and described his dress
and horse. He was at Mugler's place and
had companion. Olsen was horse
back. He wore white hat with about
a 3-Mch brim. He had an overcoat on
and blue overalls. She noticed nothing
tied to his saddle. She did not notice
Olsen's companion and could not
describe him. Mrs. Gibbons was not
sure it was Olsen, but remembered
meeting two men at Mugler's ranch.
Mrs. Harsley, wife of the postmaster
at Smelling, swore that Olsen came to
the Office after dark, Sunday night, No
yember 9th. and asked for Ivett's mail,
but she, not knowing him, made him
wait till her husband came from the
rear of the store. Harsley swore that
he waited on Olsen, but he had no mail
for Ivett. Olsen wore light slouch hat
and cashmere pants and long overcoat.
J. P. James, an employee OF the late
1vett, testified substantially as follows:
Il am laboring man, and have resided
at Ivett's for long time. | was there
Sunday, November 9th, the day previous
to the finding of the body. | saw Olsen
there that day, at the lower house,
where the men stopped. The men all
played cards, drank wine, and had a
good time that day, Olsen included. He
had on broad-brimmed white hat and
light pants and long overcoat. He
did not have on the same clothes Mon
day at the inquest. About A p. M,
Sunday, Olsen said he would leave, and
did not see him afterwards that day.
was quite familiar with Ivett. Mrs.
Ivett was away, and he ate at the lower
house, with the men, and slept at his
residence on the hill. He left the lower
house about dark, and started for home.
He forgot his dog, Ora, that generally
slept at the upper house with him. The
dog was locked in the cellar, and he for
got her. was the first to find Ivett's
body. He did not come to break
fast, and l had some busi-
ness with him; so l went
up to the house, and found him
dead, with his head mashed, lying on
the cellar door, and one foot caught un-
der him. l called the boys, and Charles
Wench and the rest came up. saw
bloody footprints on the porch and one
in the yard, between the house and the
tank. | left the ranch then and went to
La Grange to notify Mrs. Olsen, Ivett's s
mother-in-law, and did not get back un-
til after the body had been moved.
did not see the Chinese cook Sunday
afternoon. We ate supper by candle
light. We had cards, music, dancing
and general good time Sunday, but all
were on good terms, and there was no
guarreling. The ranch is kind of a
public place. People come and eat and
feed their horses and go away and no
questions are asked About twenty men
were present that Sunday.
The court at this point adjourned for
the noon recess. None OF Olsen's rela-
tives were present in court, except his
brother Jake.
1t was reported in town today that on
"Wednesday evening thereawas shoot
ing affray on the Ivett ranch. A deaf
and dumb man, supposed by some to be
a detective. had been prowling around
the ranch for several days, and James
Warren, one OF the hands, spoke to Mrs.
,Ivett about it, and she gave him orders
to drive him away. On "Wednesday
evening he saw him, and loaded up a
shotgun and fired at him. The man was
running, and the charge missed him.
Warrants have been issued, but as yet
the officers have not returned, -and no
particulars have been received.
Chagles Wench was the first witness
placed on the stand after the noon re-
cess. Ee testified substantially az fol-
lows: ~ have resided at Ivett's and
been in his employ for about thirty
years, off and on. / vas with Olsen all
day Saturday previous to the murder of
.Ivett. [ helped him Gig grave foi q
anan who died on the raEch Friday. lie
stayed Saturday night and Sunday un-
til about O'Clock, when he lett for
Snelling's. Svett ate supper with the
men at TIE lower house, and
after supper l thinl, it was
about 6 O'Clock, he started for
the upper hose, where he slept. l
heard some one say: Mr.. Ivett, we
want some wine.@ / don't know if they
got it. left then for my cabin, which
is between the upper and lower house.
On Monday morning, on going to the
upper house. found Ivett lying on the
porch on the north side of the house, in
pool OF blood, and blood all over the
wall and gate. He was lying on his
side; one foot was caught in the Gel
lar door; his head was mashed in.
l went in to his house and found letter
to his wife half-fnished. His spectacles
were on the letter, and the lamp was
still burning. l found bloody tracks on
the porch and ground near the body. l
heard no disturbance at the house that
night. found email lamp and cellar
key lying near Ivett. His hat was near
him in the blood. remained with the
body till the coroner came. covered the