The record-union., 1892-02-29
GAIT ARSON CASE.
Dobson Still Refuses to Acknowledge
That He Confessed.
All the Testimony In, and the Case
Ready for Argument-The Con-
fession In Evidence.

Inc preliminary examination or cram
Tree, Dobson and Taylor, the alleged Gait
lncendiaries, was resumed before Justice
of the Peace Henry Saturday.
The taking of testimony was concluded.
and an adjournment was taken until to-
day, when the arguments viii be made
and the case submitted.
Elwood Bruner, associate counsel for
The prosecution, was recalled to the wit
ness-stand, and testified that at no time
during the evening that Dobson made the
confession at the County Jail was he
alone with Dobson.
NO THREATS OR PROMISES.
Chief of Police Drew was then called,
and stated that he was present when Dob
son made the statement. There were no
threats made or inducements held out to
have him make the statement. The wit
ness said he went to the Sheriff's office
with Elwood Bruner. and the latter did
not tell Dobson that ne had better make a
statement; that he had "four-ace play
on him, and that he would get ten years
# he did not tell it all.
District Attorney Ryan was next sworn:
de testified that he held out no induce
1nents whatever to have Dobson make
The statement, and attempted no intimi-
datlon. On Thursday last Dobson offered
20 repeat the statement on the witness
stand if he were made a State witness,
and the District Attorney agreed to this.
1T the same time reminding Dobson that
ne had already made "a statement in the
presence of number of witnesses. Dob
son asked the privilege of becoming a
witness for the people, and only wanted
immunity from prosecution.
THE CONFESSION STANDS.
This concluded the testimony with ref
erence to DobSon's confession. and Attor-
ney Grove L. Johnson, for the defense.
renewed his motion made the previous
day, to have he confession of Dobson
stricken from the evidence. on the ground
mat 1t had been obtained by fraud.
District Attorney Ryan and Mr.. Bru-
2er opposed the motion, and then Mr..
johnson INDUCED in some strong Ian
guage. He declared that the District At
Jorney and other officers who assisted in
wrlnglng the confession from Dobson
were amenable to the law and should be
prosecuted. lie denounced their action
rs contemplate piece of business, and
declared that prisoners had rights and
snould NOT be dragged from their cell,
at night and pumped
w hen the arguments were concluded
JusEice Henry ruled that the confession
sh0uld remain in evidence.
n The taking of testimony for the defense
was then resumed, and Dobson was
placed on the stand. He testified that he
was in Lodi the night of the fire and slept
N Crabtree's stable with George Crabtree
and they remained in bed all night.
On cross-examination District A ttorney
Ryan desired once more to 90 into the
circumstances surrounding the Dobson
confession. Mr.. Johnson made a strenu-
Gus objection, and the arguments follow
ing lasted up to the hour of the noon re-
cess. Finally Justice Henry decided that
The questions from the confession might
De asked.
DoBSoN UNDER FIRE AGAIN.
When court reconvened in the after
AEON the cross-exanination of Dol1soa
was resumed. Dozens of questions were
asked witness, covering his Statement
made in the Sheriff7s office. To each
question Grove l.. Johnson objected and
was overruled, and witness invariably re-
piled: II don't recollect saying so. and if
L dld so state it was not true.'
When Dobson was excused from the
stand the defense announced its case
closed. The arguments in the case will
De heard to-day, after which the matter
VIII be submitted to the court.