The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-09-24
BUCKLEY'S FLIGHT.
The EX.BOss Takes the Alarm
and Leaves the State.
Fear Of the Grand Jury Said to Be the I'm.
pelling Cause-sam Rainey, 1t Is Said,
Is in Hiding With Him.

For ten days it has been reported from
day to day that Christopher A. Buckley,
the ex-boss of the local Democracy had
gone into seclusion pending the action of
the Grand Jury. The fact that Jerry Lynch
is a member of the latter. body and a sworn
enemy of Buckley Is said to have been the
impelling cause.
AS to the exact whereabouts of the former
ruler OF the local Democracy various ru-
mors are now afloat, but the most reliable
information now obtainable points to the
fact that he has gone into hiding near Vic
toria, B. c., with Jake Rudolph aud Sam
Rainey for his companions. The last named,
it was claimed. was seen in tliis city yester-
day afternoon, but this was found
TO be untrue. The fact is that
when lie resigned his position as
Car of the Fire Department, he saw what
was coming and incontinently fled. In the
short time-sOme four or five years-that be
had figured as power in politics he had
accumulated property to the amount OF
nearly 100000, and he realized that some
embarrassing questions might be asked. 1t
would not, he understood, be comfortable
to answer certain questions that might be
put to him relative to certain rows OF houses
now held in his name and which have been
the result of the savings from salary OF
$50 month.
As for Buckley, it is an assured fact that
he is gone. This was discovered some time
ago, and it was supposed that he had merely
retired to his Livermore farm TO Iecuperate
from the effects of his long political activity.
Some time ago it was noticed that the fur
nirure was removed from mis- city residence
to Ravens swood-the name of his farm-but
it now transpires that he is not at that
place either.
One who claims to know, but under no
air tor IN n
his name, states with the assurance of abso-
Lutte knowledge that Mr.. Buckley, Jake Ru-
dolph and Sam Rainey are together some
where in the vicinity Of Victoria. They have
been there several days and intend to re-
main until the Grand Jury gets through
18th its Troublesome Investigations, or by
some potent process has been plucked Of
their ''stinger."
The reasons given by Mr. Buckley for his
unusual tour are that he doesn't wish to
embarrass his friends. He says he has no
personal fear OF the Grand Jury, hut If sum-
mOned before them might be asked ques-
ti0ns that if answered without the taint Of
perjury would be pretty sure to get some of
his friends and associates into trouble. He
is taking this brief vacation to avoid any
such annoyan ce, and intends TO remain be-
yond the processes of the Grand jury
while they are in existence or until by some
sudden and unforeseen turn of events 1t is
plucked OF their "Stinger."
very prominent and Weil-known Demo-
cratic politician Of this city, al ex-official
and all-rOund influential party worker, has
recently returned from an Eastern trip. 1t
is said that he was fully Informed OF Mr.
Buckey's whereabouts, and planned to meet
him, receive advice. Instructions or what
ever the ex-boss pleased. and keep him in
formed of the condition of things.
This gentleman missed his connections
he had not been correctly informed as to
the exact locality, and obtained his lay-oyer
at point some forty miles distant. Una
Bile to find or hear sound in relation to the
refugee he gave up the quest and continued
his homeward Journey. He arrived in town
but short time ago.
What is said to be significant in connec-
ton with this matter is the fact that Buck
ley's re sIdence at 2434 Post street is vacant
and has upon it the sign :" 70 Let" and the
dwelling 1109 Golden Gate avenue, until re-
Gently occupied by Ralney, bears also a sign
which conveys the information that the
place is for rent Heretofore, whenever
Buckley took trip to his country home
his city residence was left in charge Of
a housekeeper. but the fact that the
Grand Jury will be in session for several
months and the house is to be rented is
taken as an indication that Buckley does
not intend to occupy it for some time to
come.
BUCKLEY's pRoTHER-IN-LAw.
John Parrot, a brother-in-l of Buckley,
boss, said: There is no truth in it and
Buckley has net left the city; that Is, SO far
as know"
Captain Martin Corcoran, the lately re-
tired Chief Whartnger, was seen last night
and said: 81 knew very little of Buckley,
even in his most prosperous days. and know
nothing Of his present movements; but
should think that he had cause to keep out
of the way. There is lot more of them in
the same box, and, il am not badly mis-
- flav,n mil End CO, Erof mic
too warm to hold them. The Grand Jury,
am con WINGED, is thoroughly in earnest and
the people, for once at least, are aroused to
the situation. My opinion is that Mr..
Buckley will not be seen for some time."
BOTH GONE.
Charles L. Weller said "There Is no
doubt in my mind but that Buckley and
Rainey have both caught the alarm and
have gone to avoid unpleasant revelations.
l am afraid that the present Grand Jury
may be decided illegal, and in that event
OF course nothing could be done by law. l
Will tell you, however, that there is likely
to be serious trouble ahead. The people
are becoming desperate, and If they get the
idea in their heads that there is no relief to
be found in the courts they are apt TO take
would be deplorable, but the American
people While long suffering are quick to act
when once thoroughly aroused"
Ex-senator p. j. Murphy gave vent to
the following; Buckley is not In the
think. He may have lost his power, but
you may be assured that he has lost none
of his cunning, and he is not the man to
take any chances in an emergency like the
present. Wherever he is Sam Raney is
with him, and neither will be seen in San
Francisco so long as the present Grand
Jury is in session. Questions of a most em-
barrassing nature might te asked OF both,
and neither cares to be made uncomfortable
just at present.
or falsity of the report that Buckley had
quietly decamped, but he was of the opinion
that IL he had gone he had adopted the
safest policy.
NOT DIFFICULT TO PROVE.
"This Grand Jury evidently means busi-
ness" said he, land that Buckley is guilty
of all sorts of misdemeanOrS ought not TO be
difficult TO prove. Ii he is wise he will re-
main away from San Francisco not only for
a time, but for good and all. He can never
regain his lost power, and there is nothing
here for him now but danger; Sam Ralney
is in no better situation. and L think there
is no doubt that he is gone"
j. j. Flynn looked wise and said slowly:
Il knew ten days ago, or was told so at
least. that Buckley had gone to escape the
action of the Grand Jury, and he probably
did a wise thing for his own safety. He is
going TO take no chances, and in my opinion
San Francisco will know him no more
Dennis Spencer had no knowledge Of the
matter beyond what he had seen in the
newspapers, but he thought if Buckley was
as cunning as of old, he was out Of sight
and would remain there.
Richard Condor was sure that Buckley
had flown TO avoid the Grand Jury findings.
"Ee knows better than any one else," he
said. "that danger is abroad, and he is not
the man TO take any chances"
A. j. Clune had heard some time ago
that Buckley was alarmed, and believed the
story of his flight
"There is no doubt Of his fear" he added.
land lie is probably out OF the State"
RAINEY NOT ON HIS RANCH.
A dispatch received last night from San
Jose, near which place Sam Rainey rec
emily purchased a ranch, says: Sam Rainey
has been missing from his ranch for two
weeks. His neighb0rs say ne has gone East
Palace Circle of Daughters.