The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-11-08
THE WRECKERS
ON TRIAL.
Officer Smith Tells What Jeff
Roberts Told Him.
al Writes a Letter 10 His Family in Which
He Promises TO ReCite The
Wh0'e Truth.
Srecial TO The MORNING CALI

AUBURN, Nov, THE train King
case was resumed in Justice Gwynn's court
this morning, the first witness being Sheriff
Stanley of Sacramento County. He stated
that the Roberts boys were brought 10 Sac
ramento by Constable Dyer and Officer
True. He knew Of no commitment, but
could find out from the record made by the
jailer.
Special Officer True resumed his testi-
mony, and stated that Al Roberts gave as
reason for suspecting his brother that they
were always planning and desired him
away. jeff said he didn't get over to the
scene of the wreck until about o'clock.
He said it was not his habit to seek out any
excitement. Jeff stated that 10 Campbell
was at their place Sunday night. He was
up town when the claw-bar was found At
the Colfax Jail the two brothers were
brought together and Al accused jeff of
the crime. He said he had seen JEFF and 10
Campbell and the Indians plotting together.
jeff said 1t was a lie. Witness stepped up to
Al near the scene of the wreck and asked: "Who
was with you when you committed this crime ?"
He started crying. and said. MY God must 1
give my brother away?" When asked who else
was with them, he stated that joe Campbell, john
Roberts and the Indians were.
Neatly all the forenoon was spent by The at
torneys for the defense in crossexamining Officer
True. Mrs. Mcdaniel OF San Jose, passenger
on the sleeper Santa Cruz, testified as to her
treatment at The time. She was not sure she
recognized Al Roberts Al tells her that he re.
stored 10 her scaIfp!n. Recess was taken I'LL
o'clock.
OFFICER SMITHS STORY
Special Of1icer VIII Smith was recalled, and
gave clear statement OF his conversation with
lie returned about 10 O'Clock the night before
the wreck; that the crash of lie train awakened
him. He got up and went out md could see
what had happened lie returned 10 his room
and shouted "Wreck! wreck" He then dressed
aud went n up TO the train TO assist the passen-
he would identity IT. Alter seeing it he said it
had belonged TO his father. He afterward told
OF finding claw bar with the claws broken.
On returning they could not find the bar, and
A said that he believed JEFF had followed them
and taken il. On October 9Th AT the scene of
The wreck he hid turned suddenly on Al Rob
etts and ashed him who did THIS Thing. Al had
burst into tears and cried out "My sod, must
give my brother away" He said lie had not
the boys do the thing, but had seen Jeff
and John Roberts. joe Campbell and Two In
dianS plotting together. He got home from the
wreck about O'clock, and saw JEFF and his
crime and told him he would divide with him.
JEFF said lie had laid one bar near the wreck and
Tue cld" DdF niaue OF q urlIl lie mao laid uuuer
manzanlta bush. Al Sacramento Al had written
letter to his father, ii copy OF which was given
in as evidence. The letter is as follows:
AL ROBERTS LETTER.
SACRAMENTO, Oct 81, 1891.
Ny Dear Fdth and Mother and Ltttle Sister:
Jef has caused me to lie 10 the officers. He told
me John and Joe and thOGe two Indians were his
accomplices IN the wrroking OF thar train / be-
Iieyed him / told him would tell snd
not Know they were heefrd heeff them plotting but did
thing about it and his motive for doing IT. m Now R Re
refuses to talk and has let go in and tell all he
Viola and Mabel with you and in your presence
swear to God Will tell everything from beginning
10 end. and have not told the truth in good
many things. Oh why did not do Il? i
tell. do not know why. JEFF said If 1 told he had
some the outside that would Kill me. He
has not said anything 10 them to make them think
he is guilty OF his vlllainous crime. His mouth is
Sealed and have told Just what he told me, and
now they have proved that lied by him not saying
anything, and now they still believe me the guilty
one. But God knows 1 am innocent of the deed.
Will prove TO you all that am innocent of any
wrong, only he caused me to lie. l believed him
when he told that those four were with
him. But all has changed and he
is alone, as can see. Father and mother, beg of
and will tell you all the honest truth, and nothing
but the TRUTH and all know about It. and what he
said to me and what his Intentions IN doing It.
On, come you can. This secret OF this
the truth the better 1t will be. have lied in the
worst way to them, bat at the last moment must
confess the truth and prove my innocence, as JEFF
denies everything. He will have to come out with
it sometime and he can just well 10 1t fir as
last. Father am well, aud hope you all well.
With my love 20 all l close, and remain your most
loving son, Albert. Come aud see ME at once and
l will confess the truth to you anu mother and
Mabel and Viola am an innocent man In the eyes
of God. ALBERT
The case was then adjourned Ill Monday.