Los Angeles herald., 1890-07-22

there was money enough in the bank to
meet it. He was not in the habit OF
drawing checks unless they could be
met. Major Bell did not press the mat
ter, but when the time for elections
came near he was surprised one day
when Damron walked in and said,
major, l hear you have check against
me-" Major Bell replied that he had.
Damron said, "Well, l would like to
pay it" and then he figured the interest,
and, agreeing npon an amount with the
major, offered to give him a check in
payment, as it was after banking hours.
Major Bell thought he had no need
for another check, so he refused; but a
day or two later Damron walked in with
Shortly afterward the people who knew
to Chas. Bell, of the POrcupine. 1t ar
was a candidate for nomination for the
assembly, and Chas. Bell thought of
publishing the record. Major Bell, how
ever, induced his son to hold it out to
see if the Republicans would nominate
him, knowing what his record was; for
by this time rumors were floating around
that he did not leave Illinois with the
best of characters. Damron was nomi-
mated and elected to the assembly.
Another story of how Damron got the
best of one of the shrewdest bankers
here was told yesterday. 1t was stated
that during the boom times Damron
succeeded in making several thousand
on colony scheme. He bought lot
and built nice residence on Washing
ton street and fitted it as if he had
plenty of money. A short time after he
moved there, so the story goes, he in
gratiated himself into the good will of
the banker and invited him to call on
him, fixing an evening when he would
be at home. The banker agreed to call
and Damron few hours before the ex-
pected visit sent out to several livery
stables, engaged teams and buggies,
which he placed in his empty stables.
When the banker came Damron showed
him around and took him to the stable,
remarking that he had made
enough money to retire on and
he intended to quit work. He said he
was out of the woods and had all he
wanted, and that he intended to take
life easy and live on his income. OF
course the banker went home impressed
with all he saw, and imagined that
Damron was "well fixed" There is a
sequel to the visit which is now related
1t is stated that short time after the
visit of the banker man applied to the
banker to be accommodated ''for a few
days" with several hundred dollars.
The banker asked him what he could
"put up" for it, what security he could
give. The man replied, asking what
security was wanted, and the banker re-
piled that good Endorsement on the
note would do. The man, after ap-
parentlv thinking over the matter, asked
the banker if he knew a man named
Damron, and if he would do. The
banker replied that he knew Mr.. Dam
ron, and that his name was good. The
man secured his loan, and it is said now
that Damron paid him $50 for working
the scheme through.
A still later story came to the surface
yesterday, and was discussed at large on
the streets. 1t was related that on
Saturday evening Damron purchased
25 cents worth of fruit from stand on
Spring street, between Second and
Third streets, and, after the fruit was
done up, felt in his pocket, and finding
no money, said to the fruit dealer: Il
haven't got any money with me, and /
didn't think of going to the bank today
!. l shall need some money before Mon
day, so I'll give you $5-check, and you
can give me the change"
The fruit dealer took the check and
gave Mr.. Damron $4.75 change, and the
check is reported to be worthless.
One of the last men to see the miss
ing Republican legislator, J. M. Dam
ron, was Constable Fred Smith, who,
between 10 and IL O'Clock on Saturday
night, saw him in the Eintracht saloon
on Spring street. Mr.. Smith spoke to
Mr.. Damron, asking him about his
case, and the latter replied, saying
"Hardesty is going for me hard, but Los
Angeles is my home, and l am going tc
stay here"
A new case which reflected extremely
on Mr.. Damron came to light yesterday
afternoon. 1t appears that some time
last autumn DIR. T. d. Kellogg of Alham
bra, brought suit against several per
sons for heavy damages and secured Mr.
Damron as his attorney. The doctor tC
make his lawyer secure about his fee
which was to be quite large one, no
desiring to pay him cash at the time
gave him a mortgage on his Alhambr:
property for 81 900, which he arranged
Mr.. Damron was to hold in trust, bu
which that willy legislator recorded
on December Is, 1889, and the same day
assigned it to John Gilmore. 1t is alst
stated that DR.. Kellogg, with the mort
gage, gave Mr.. Damron $500 in securi
ties to hold, which the latter cashed anC
has not accounted for. A number o
stories of the same sort were talked o
in various quarters, and it was said tina
Damron had lost money in poker games
and that he had been keeping
mistress on Temple street. Some OF hi
intimate friends deny these statements
and say that if he did either Of thes
things he was very quiet about it.
The bondsmen are Sherman Smitl
and j. Marion Brooks, who will be give
reasonable time to produce the dc
fendant before proceedings are takel
against them.
Redondo Beach Delegates.
Under the call made by the count
central committee. RedOndO Beach pre-