The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1892-08-08

that [ need not be sorry for him, but the
man shot needed sympathy. / then got
lunch from Mrs. Ward TO take along.
John March, a stockraiser, the next
witness, testified: "Am acquainted with
Evans, and know Sontag by sight. Saw
them Friday night at 9 O'Clock at j. NJ.
Dyes, seventeen miles north Of Nisalia.
Flsalla. They did not recognize ME,
though | have known Evans twenty
years. Saw Evans and two other men
Monday last on Niger Creek. One man
was named Young, who lives on Pine
Ridge. The other man wore goggles
and had a mustache. Evans was rid
ing black mare. Am acquainted with
John Sontag. He was not with the party.
The three men were horseback and it was
probably 10 or l. O'Clock. Coming down
Niger Creek they could go to Traver or
Nisalia or Stokes Valley. The man with
goggles | am positive l can Identify"
March was here taken to the cell of
George Sontag in the County Jail and on
his return to the courtroom testified that
George was the man whom he met and
wore goggles. 'The men had flour sacks
on the horns of their saddles filled with
something"
MARGINS testimony is considered an i'm
portant link in showing that these men
We're on their way TO rob the train.
The jury returned a verdict that Beaver
came to his death from gunshot wounds
inflicted by Chris Evans and John Son
tag.
SEARCHING FOR MORE EVIDENCE.
Detectives Hume, Thacker and Hickey,
accompanied by Deputy Sheriff Williams
and others, visited Evans barn to-day to
see what could be found in addition to the
hole previously found. They found an
other large enough and about the shape to
receive Wells-Fargos box, and is be-
lieved to have been dug in which to bury
the box secured at the time of the Goshen
robbery. The hole is in the manger,
about where the horses fore feet would
stand when hitched in the stall. The hole
was packed with manure and a little
earth. Nothing else was secured except
an old cotfeepot, pair OF overalls and
empty shells of cartridges which were
used Friday morning and that night.
When Evans and Sontag left town,
after shooting Beaver, they proceeded
north three miles from Visalia. They
passed the residence of w. IL. Byrd,
brother-in-law OF Evans. They had fol-
lowed the road until near Byrd's resi-
dence, when the pursuers lost track for
short time. However they found
tracks leading into Bygd's barn, where
they undoubtedly expected to find horses.
Byrd knew nothing of their having been
there until his attention was called to the
1dCG ny D0GectlNe 1ndCker. byru nau,
the day previous, turned his horses in
the pasture, and hence the robbers failed
to supply their wants. Byrd rejoiced at
the latter fact as, if horses had been OBJ
tanned at his place, he would have been
accused Of helping the robbers and
murderers, thing he would not do for
anyone. He is an honorable man.
Sheriff Kay and party, who went in
pursuit of Evans and Sontag last night,
returned at 4:30 this afternoon. All have
closed mouths, and are instructed to
keep so. Under Sheriff Hall and four or
five others who left yesterday morning
are still absent. 1t is believed the Kay
party lost the trail, but it is whispered,
and probably correctly surmised, that
they came back to secure pack animals,
and will leave again tonight prepared to
camp on the trail of the robbers.
They brought back to town the mule
and cart SOntag secured of Ward. The
outfit was secured in the bed of Niger
Creek. Kay saw nothing of the Fresno
posse, who are said to be stationed higher
up the mountain, with the expectation of
heading off the robbers. 1t is said that
the Kay party overlook Evans and Son
tag, and were within eighty yards of
them, when q young man could not re-
sist the temptation to take a shot at them.
This spoiled a possible capture, as the
pursued who were taken by surprise,
HSI6 illus NdEHcO W Suck d SAFER n1Qlllg
place, which was easily found in the
rugged section where they are. This
story is not given as truth, though ap-
parently coming from a reliable source.
Deputy Sheriff Witty's condition is
much improved to-day. Witty said he
was not informed by Smith of the correct
object of Smiths visit to Evans. He was
told that an interview simply was wanted
with Sontag. Had Witty known the
fact, he would have gone prepared for an
encounter. He says he was shot three
times, the first shot hitting him in the
neck, which stunned him and caused his
pistol to fall from his hand. Nothing
was left then but to flee from his murder
Gus assailant. Detective Smith did not
jump the fence as claimed, but went
through the pickets, breaking eight or
nine to splinters. 1t is generally be-
lieved that the scratches he shows were
thus obtained.
Beaver was buried to-day at Lemoore.
the funeral procession being one of the
largest ever seen there. His wife arrived
from Rio Vista by way of Santa Cruz
this evening. Not expecting the funeral
to-day, several floral pieces were sent
from San Francisco, but arrived too late
for use.
ANOTHER OFFICER REPORTED KILLED.
REEDLEY, Aug. "A messenger re-
turned this evening from Sampson Flat.
on Pine Ridge, thirty-five miles north of
Reedley, where Charles Evans has a
mining claim, the point the robbers are
supposed to be heading for. 1t is be-
heved the robbers are now in the mount
aims. Three men, riding gray, sorrel and
dark-bay horses, were seen at a distance
in the vicinity of Sampson Flat. One is
said to answer the description of Evans.
People throughout the foothills and
mountains are thoroughly aroused and
all are on the lookout. The roads and
trails are lined with men armed with
reyOlVerS, ShOtgunS, rifles and knives
4 large posse Of deputies and officers are
stationed at Smith u Moore's mills, four
miles from Simpson Flat. Others are
securing the country in all directions.
The people in the mountains were
aroused over the murder Of an Indian
last Thursday, and the expectation of
the arrival of the train robbers greatly
increased the excitement.
1t is reported this evening that the rob-
rers shot and killed another officer, max
ing their fourth victim. No details can
be learned. A camp has been discovered
near Monson where the robbers prepared
dinner yesterday, while Sheriff and ten
men were within four miles. The mount
aineerS say it will be almost impossible
to capture the robbers if once they reach
their old haunts in Sampson Flat.
NOT THEIR FIRST oFFENsE.
MANKATo Mimi, Aug. 7.-George and
John Sontag, who are supposed to have
been implicated in the express robbery
near Coils, Cal, on Wednesday, are be-
lieved to be former residents of this city.
John Sontag removed to California five
years ago, and had good record. George
was brought before the United States
Court at ST. Paul on a charge of raising
United States currency. His reputa-
ton mas not been good. He re-
turned here three months ago. but has
not been seen since. This circumstance,
together with the fight with the officers
at Visalia, Cal, leads to the suspicion