The morning call., 1890-08-28
AT HIS OWN DOOR.
An Internal Machine Is Set for
John Ferguson.
The Sportsman Has Narrow Escape From
Dsath in the Darkness-A New Mys-
terry for the Detectives.

The detective department was again dis
turbed yesterday by the presence of an in
geniOus continuance, which might be termed
an internal machine, upon desk at police
headquarters. John Ferguson, proprietor
of the A b e Saloon, on the northwest cor
ner of California and Kearny streets. took
it there and then gave an account OF how
be came in possession of it.
FerguSOn'S story was recital OF fear
full experience, an escape from death at his
own door and the dreadful knowledge OF
some enemy planning his assassination
maliciously, cowardly fiendishly. He was
greatly upset over his discovery. about
which he chooses to hold a reserved, if not
wholly silent, tongue 1t is all mystery of
darkness itself, into which the police and
detectives have gone without much hope of
gaining any light. Ferguson is exceeding
cautious now, though only i'll the shadows,
for, it is said. he fears no trouble from the
man who set an internal trap for his life in
- face to face encounter.
At 1880 o'clock Monday night, Ferguson
assembled the steps leading TO the door OF
his home at COB Taylor street. a strange,
black object was laid upon the uppermost
step in such a place and position that
person entering the house without looking
downward would certainly step upon the
fabric which hid il quite etfectually in the
blacknesS.
HE PICKS THE MACHINE UP.
Ferguson stepped aside and picked the
thing up. He was surprised at first at his
find. and shocked on examining it closer
for then he realized how near he had been
To death-near for the second time within
few months.
The Internal machine in his hands was
crude bit of workmanship but ingeniously
devised for taking life. Its base consisted
of heavy bars similar in appearance to the
claw Of big wrench with few inches of
the handle attached. To the center of the
prong, or rather to the iron handle, was
welded piece of iron which turned upward
a. an angle of about 90 to GO degrees, and
served as a support for a 5S-caliber pistol of
cheap grade. The weapon was carefully
fastened at the same angle from the base
with copper wire, and that this
part OF the work might be more
secure the pistol handles had been
removed, leaving an iron framing for the
wire to hold firmly. In front loop OF cop
per wire hung from the trigger, and in this
loop rested the end of stick or strong
Walking-cane. which rested upon the door
step in an almost horizontal line. This
stick was the treacherouS trap When
stepped upon it would pull down the trig-
ger and discharge the revolver full into the
Aapless victims body.
COVERED WITH CREPE.
Crepe which had been much worn was
used to cover the bright steel and portion
OF the stick, so that Ferguson or a member
of his family might not notice the danger
Gus object.
Judging by its appearance the detectives
believe that only au iron-Worker could con-
tTiYe the machine. Everything about it
plainly showed some skill in the use OF files
and in blacksmithing, and the general.plan
of the Continuance was a clever one.
These facts are the only clews upon which
the detectives are working at present, but
it is hoped that the mechanic who made
the novel machine may possibly be found
and furnish more conclusive clews toward
the Identification of the cowardly villain
who planned il. The heavy base of the con-
trivauce is of the material used in the con-
StruCliOn Of cable roads.
Ferguson is a Director of the California
Athletic Club. Quite recently he received
the full discharge of mixed shot from
shotgun in his saloon through the acct
dental explosion of the frearIn while in its
case. He narrowly escaped death ct the
time. and is now barely recovered from the
effects Of his wounds.
He says he has no idea who could have
desired to take his life, and is anxious to
find out. Beyond this he will say nothing
regarding the matter.