The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1892-02-26


and man named Reed came in. They
had talk and separated. The next day
be met Taylor again in front of the City
Hotel. Taylor asked him for some
money and he gave him 81 80. Later on
he met Taylor, Halter, Reed and another
man, Phillips. Only passing reference
was made to the fire at that time. On the
morning OF the 18th he saw Taylor again,
and the latter asked him to go TO the tele-
graph office with him, as he wanted to
send TO Crabtree for some money, and he
wanted the money to come in Johnson's
name. They telegraphed for $3.50 and
asked that it be sent to Jerry Payne's
saloon in care OF Johnson. They then
went to the depot, and on the way Taylor
said that he had done Job" for Crab
tree and was to get $500 for it. They
went TO Auburn then and met Halter.
On cross-eXamination Johnson testified
that Taylor was drunk when he met him
at Jerry Payne's. The witness, himself,
was not intoxicated.
Attorney Johnson moved to strike out
all Of the witness testimony, on the
ground that it was irrelevant, was hear
say and in no manner connected the de-
PENDANTS with the alleged crime.
The objection was overruled.
TOLD ABOUT THE LOB"
Mrs. Maggie Mitchell, who lives at Au-
burn, was the next witness. She testified
that she knew Pete Halter and Jack Tay-
Tor. She met Taylor in Auburn during
the citrus fair and had several conversa-
tions with him. She talked with him
once about fire at Gait.
Mr.. Johnson objected strongly to per-
hitting the witness to detail the CONVEX
sation, but the objection was overruled.
The court explained. however, that evil
dence which was not relevant would not
be considered.
Resuming, the witness said that Taylor
had told her that he had done Job at
Gait. She asked him what job it was,
and he said he set fire to McKinstry's
stable at Gait, and was to get $500 for
doing it. He had telegraphed to Lodi for
SloO OF the money. Taylor wanted, to
borrow some money from Halter, to last
until the $50 arrived. Two days later
Taylor was at he house, when two young
men came III and told her they We're Off
GERS, and We're looking for man named
slim" She told Taylor about it after
ward. He laughed and said he thought
they were looking for him. The officers
said there was reward of $500 for the
man they were looking for
The witness was subjected to a rigid
cross-examination by Attorney Johnson.
She adhered to her story firmly, how
ever. In answer to his questions she
said that no one was present when she
conversed with Taylor about the lob"
The first person she told about the
matter was man named Lew
HITLER. Then she told City Marshal
Hoffman of Auburn, and then she told
Sheriff Conroy of Placer County She
talked to probably a dozen others about
the matter.
Mrs. Mitchell testified that she was not
living with her husband, and was en-
gagged in keeping ladies' lodging house
at Auburn for a Mrs. Wilson. There
was one ledger there beside herself
Halter did not live there.
Mr.. johnson questioned her closely re-
gaTding the statement made by the Off
GERS who called at her house She was
positive they did not say they were look
ing for an 0roville murderer. They said
they were looking for a man who was
wanted below" and for whom there
was a reward of $780,
Did you know that Halter was one OF
the defendants in this case when you
were subpenaed as a witness? ?" asked
Mr.. Johnson.
mo, sir" replied the witness.
Mr.. Johnson also wanted to know
whether or not any money had been
offered her or Halter for their testimony,
and she answered in the negative. She
also denied that man had told her that
there was money in it'' for her and
Halter.
Lew Kittler, an ex-hotel- keeper of Au-
burn, was the next witness. He met Tay-
lor in that town during the citrus fair.
The witness, Taylor, and Pete Halter
went TO the depot to play a man poker.
On the way up Halter dropped behind,
and Taylor remarked that he did not
want Haller to get out of his sight, as he
feared that the latter would get below
and stop something" Witness asked for
an explanation, and Taylor said that he
had done ''job,' and he was afraid Hal
Ter would get him in trouble. Witness
asked him what the job was, and lay
lor said he had set fire to q barn at Calf,
belonging to somebody named AngraYes
Being cross eXamined HITLER said he
had only known Taylor two weeks prior
to the time he talked with him about the
lob" Taylor was somewhat under the
influence of liquor when they went up to
the station 10 play poker. The poker
were going to play with had gone to bed.
You didn't get at him, then?" said
Mr.. Johnson, sarcastically.
''No, we didn't"
"He would have suffered if you had,
wouldn't he?'
81 guess he would" promptly replied
kittler, and the audience laughed
On behalf of all of the defendants, At
torney Johnson asked that all of the testi-
mony of KittIer and Mrs Mitchell be
stricken out, but the request was denied.
AN IMPORTANT WITNESS.
Peter Halter, one of the defendants,
was then called to the witness-stand bv
the prosecution. He testified that he met
Taylor at Lodi after the fire. Taylor was
drunk and had about 800 with him. He
told the witness that he had done a iobo
OF oil no. ha1 irrH{
cigar box into a barn. Witness accom-
panied Taylor in a team from Lodi to
HicksVille and from there they came to
Sacramento. They remained here sew
eral days and Taylorgot broke Halter
gave him money for his meals. They
drank in Jerry Payne's saloon and met
George Johnson there. Taylor and John
son had some conversation. Halter went
to Auburn and did not see Taylor again
until the Citrus Fair was in progress.
Halter then told about the officers who
were looking for q man and told about
the proposed poker game. After remain
ing in Auburn several days Taylor dis
appeared.
with Taylor at Lodi the witness said that
Taylor told him he drove by the stable in
rig and threw in cigar box, in which
he had placed a candle and some rags
saturated with coal oil and lighted.
The witness supposed Taylor meant
the fire at Gait. but this part of his testi-
mony was stricken out on the motion OF
the defense.
Halter was cross-examined at consider
able length by Mr.. Johnson. In answer
to the latter's questions, he said he was
supposed to be barkeeper, but he played
poker good deal. He lived at Gait, but
frequently went to Auburn. He denied
that he made his headquarters at Mrs.
there frequently. His trunk was kept
there for several days. Taylor was quite
drunk when he made the statement about
the fire to the witness at Lodi. Taylor
To FOL