The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-06-29
MEN ABOUT TOWN.
Short Stories Gathered From the
Hotel Corridors.
The Pass Worked Like Charm--He Drowned
Them 0ut-Touched Their Hearts.
Talked for His Life.


were prominent in the politi cs of Arizona.
Everybody in San Francisco, of course,
knows Fitch, and hardly less famous is
Fitzgerald, who occupied the Federal bench
of Arizona for a number of years. and is
now a Commissioner of the Supreme Court
of California. Zulick went from the East
as Governor of Arizona during the Cleve-
lana administration. and still lives at Pres
colt, although he has been supplanted in
office by Republican. After a cordial ex-
change of greetings yesterday the three
settled themselves down to talk over old
times, and for more than an hour they COM
pared experiences.
Finally al expression of amusement stole
over the eX-GovernOr's face, and he asked,
turning TO the Judge: did you ever hear
the story Of the safe-cOnduet that was given
the English tourist by our friend FitcbP"
As related it runs something after this
fashion: When Fitch was located at Pres
colt in the practice of the law. the northern
and central portions of the Territory were
Overrun by rowing bands of desperadoeS,
chief among whom were large number If
road agents who infested the stage lines and
proved upon the passengers. From time to
time they were apprehended and brought
up for trial, and Fitch was almost iuVaria-
bly retained for the defense. In nearly
every instance he succeeded in clearing
them, and in their eyes soon grew to be
quite hero.
Ii CHANGED that in the fall of 81 an Eng
lishmaa dropped into Prescott on his way
TO PhpniX, and while lingering in the
former place made the acquaintance of
Fitch, with whom he was soon upon the
most friendly terms Before leaving by
stage for his destination, stores of the eX-
PLOTS of the road agents reached his ears,
and becoming alarmed, he preached the
subject To Fitch IN conversation.
Pretty bad customers just at this time
said the latter with great earnestneSs, but
| will give you safe conduct to Ph9aiX in
the shape of written pass"
The Englishman jumped at the idea and
nall In jest the pass was given. On the fol-
lowing day the bearer Of the safe conduct
took his seat in the s0uth-bound coach, and
when Black Canyon was reached five
masked men stepped into the road and with
cooked NinchesterS ordered the driver to
stop. No time was lost in refining in the
horses. and the passengers were ordered to
alsht. With hands up they were compelled
10 stand in 4 row and be searched, their
vauaOles being taken from them indscrimi-
nately.
When the Englishman was reached he
said to tic man who was relieving the pas
senscrs: l say, old fellow, ave in my
pocket, you know, a pass from Mr.. Fitch"
The you have" calculated the road
agent. Where is it?"
The tourists hands started In the direc-
tiOn Of his pocket, but were stopped midway
by sharp lnJuncti ton to keep them alOft.
Now keep your mouth Shut he was
told bluntiy, and Just motion with your
head the whereabouts of that pass, or I'll
blow you into kingdom come"
Thoroughly frightened lie indicated tho
left-hand pocket of his coat and the pass
was-dragged to light CHANGING at it to as
sure himself that the signature was genuine
tie TObber roughly ordered the bearer to
stand aside, and informed him that if he
would make 10 demonstration he would
not be mOlested. He obeyed with alacrity,
and no. cent was taken from him. After
complying the mail bag and express box, and
taking everything Of value from the other
passengers, the robbers loaded them all into
the stage and ordered the driver to hurry on
t. the next town. When they reached
Phoenix the EngliShman was the only indi-
yidual on the stage who had cent Of money
or an article Of jewelTy left upon his person.
When the story leaked out u cost Tom a
good round sum 10 keep the boys quiet.
He DROWNED THEM OUT
When the laugh which was INDUCED IN
at Fitch's expense had subsidized Judge Fitz-
gerald said musingly: Right in San Fran
cisco to-day lives a man who was ring
IN a most peculiar way in ali attempt to
lynch a prisoner who was charged with
numbering prospectOr. Court WAS in
session at the time and the prisoner was
confined in cell in the Tucson Court
house. through the main entrance of which
was the only way Of access to the Jail from
the street. An adjournment had been taken
for the daY and, as it happened, the only
man left at the Courthouse was the janitJr,
a slow methOdiCal old fellow named Hand
RumOrS had been circulated fO- several days
that an attempt would be made
to lynch the prisoner referred to,
but as no demonstrations had been
made the Sheriff had grown careless,
and had removed the guard. Just about
the dusk Of the evening IN question, the old
lanitoT, who was enjoying a smoke on the
Court house steps, saw mob approaching
and in an instant realized its meaning
Slowly removing his pipe from his mouth
he laid it carefully aside and stepped into
the corridor Of the building A section of
tiTe-hose stood near, and deliberately I'M
Teelng IT, he screwed it onto the hydraut
aud adjusted the nozzle. He stood there in
readiness, and when the leader of the mob
. reached the doorway he turned the water
0 n full force. Owing TO the great elevation
Of the reservoir the pressure IS enormous
and the stream as it struck the leader stag
geIed him. He hesitated and turned to face
tbs companions. That settled II, and be-
fore they could recover from their surprise
every man in the mob was dTenched from
head to foot. The stream seemed to in
crease in force and volume, and one after
another the would-be lynchers fed. In i've
minutes not one OF them could be seen in
any direction, and when tAe Sheriff. who
had heard Of what was Transporting, put
in an appearance, Old Hand had reeled up
the hose and was again seated on the steps
smoking away as If nothing had happened"
IT TOUCHED THEIR HEARTS.
Tom Fitch, who had been a silent listener
related story Of the remarkable presence
of mind Of District Attorney Woodruff Of
Graham County.
Woodruff was a very bright young
man." said Fitch, land had a reputation for
GOODNESS and bravery second to that of no
man in the Territory. 1t seems that man
accused of murder was taken from the
County Jail by mob. and conveyed to a
bridge near town to be hanged. Woodruff
heard of il, and Fastening TO the place, ar
rived just as the condemned man was about
TO swing. He was standing on a cart, with
the rope about his neck. and the mob was
just preparing to drag the cart from under
his feet. Leaplng onto the cart Woodruff
asked TO be heard, and this was readily
granted. He appealed strongly to those
about him to allow the law to take its
course, but every argument proved futile
against the fury of the mob. They were
determined that the hanging should proceed,
and as a last resort Woodruff said: Well,
boys, before you hang this man let me do
one thing for him.
60 Go ahead 7 was shouted by the leaders.
Removing his hat he pitched $50 piece
into it, and. springing to the ground, re-
marked quietly: see you are determined
that this man SHALL die, but / know that you
won't see his wife and babies left TO starve.
Now, / want every one Of you to chip in
and help out
"He essayed to pass the hat but they
stopped him. Strong hands united the rope,
and in ten minutes the prisoner was back in
his cell. A trial developed the mans inno-
cence, and another man was arrested and
confessed the crime"
TALKED THEM OUT OF IT.
Somewhat similar was the experience of
Governor Zulick who is too modest TO dis
cuss the story himself. Soon after his ap-
pointment word reached Prescott that
deputy Sheriff living at Yavapai who had