The record-union., 1892-05-11
His Statements to Peter HaIler About
the Gait Fire.
"Done a Job'' for Crabtree-A Clash
Between Judge Catlin and Dis
trict Attorney Ryan.

W. II. Scout, ana consulted Win them
frequently.
}. w. McKinstry, who was part owner
IN the property which was destroyed by
the alleged incendiaries, was the first
witness placed on the stand by the prose-
cution. He testified briefly regarding the
circumstances of the fire, and the inform
alton he got hold of subsequently which
led to the arrest of the defendants.
j. w. Angraves, Mr.. McKinstry's s
partner, gave similar testimony. He had
been in the habit of sleeping in the stable,
but did not on the night of the fire.
TESTIMONY RULED OUT.
j. c. Proctor was called upon by District
Attorney Ryan to testify regarding prop
osition Crabtree is alleged to have made
TO him four years ago TO burn building.
The defense objected strongly, and as the
recess hour had arrived Judge Catlin
took the point under advisement until
the afternoon session. When the court
reconVened the Judge decided that the
testimony was lnadm iSSible and he sus-
tanned the detense's objection.
The most important witness of the day
was Peter HalIer, who, when the alleged
plot was first discovered, was arrested as
being one of the incendiaries. Subse-
=
Haller promised to tell all he knew about
the case.
Haller lives at Gait, and testified that
he remembered the burning of the Ar
cade Stables and hotel at that place last
January. He was at home that night
and waking up went to the fire. lie
knew Taylor, alias ''Larrupin Jack"
The day after the fire the witness went to
Lodi and met Taylor there in Pope's
saloon. Taylor had been drinking. He
paid the witness $40 he had owed him.
Taylor had plenty of money. Taylor
said he had
''DoNE A JOB"
At Gait, and that "Crabtree had paid him
500 for it," Taylor said he and Dobson
had driven to Gait in a rig, and had set
fire to the barn. He had a cigar-box
filled with rags and saturated with oil,
and after placing q lighted candle in the
box threw it into the barn. He and Dob
son then drove back to Calf. Taylor and
the witness went to Hicksville, and from
there to Sacramento. Witness and Tay-
lQr and gambler named Starlley were
together for time. The next morning
he met Taylor again and the latter was
broke" The witness gave him some
money for breakfast. The witness went
to Auburn that night and Taylor and
George Johnson followed the next day.
Some officers arrived there looking for
a man." and Taylor said he guessed he
had better get out of the way. He STAYED
away several days. While in Auburn
Taylor told the witness that he had tele-
graphed to Crabtree for $3.50, and that the
money would come in George Johnson's
name. The witness had given Taylor
money several times and Taylor said he
would pay it back when the money from
Crabtree arrived.
Haller proved to be a most unwilling
witness, and it was only by dint of per-
sistent questioning that District Attorney
Ryan could get the evidence from him.
''Why did you and Taylor leave Lodi?''
asked Mr.. Ryan.
Jack said he was afraid of being
pulled" replied Haller, after consider
able hesitation.
did you pass through Calf on the
way to Hicksville?" was the next ques-
ton.
mo, we did not.'
"You took the train at Hicksville, did
you not?'
YES"
And you could have taken the same
train at Lodi or Galt?"
"YeSr
Then why did you drive fifteen miles
TO Hlcksville to take that train ?''
Il don't know
ON THE RACK.
On cross-examination, by Attorney
Johnson, Haller said that he had sup
ported himself principally by playing
poker. He worked at bark eeping once in
while. He bad no particular place of
residence, as he moved about the country
good deal. In Auburn he had stopped
several days at Maggie MitchelPs house.
He denied, though, that he made her
house his headquarters.
asked the witness if it was not fact that
Taylor made large winning at poker al
Valley Springs. Haller said Taylor won
about SO, and then divided. This was
about five days before the Gait fire. This
testimony was offered to show that Tay-
lor had plenty of money at the time of the
fire. The witness considered Taylor a
sure shot'' at poker, and always staked
him. Taylor was in the habit of talking
a great deal when under the influence OF
liquor.
Haller said he arrived in Gait on the
night Of the fire. He went there from
Auburn to get some clean clothes. The
fire occurred some time between II and !
O'Clock in the morning.
Haller denied that he had told man
named Robinson in Lodi, the day after
the fire, that he had given Taylor SiOO and
wanted to find him to get it back. What
he did tell Robinson was that he wanted
TO find Taylor, as the latter had monev
and he was afraid he would be robbed.
How did you know he had money ?''
Il had seen him with it that morning. 81
'Then you had seen him before?"
''NeS; / saw him in Pope's saloon"
Continuing, Haller said the first per-
son he told about Taylor was Sheriff Con
roy of Placer County. Afterward he told
Attorney Bruner, District Attorney RYAN,
Sheriff Stanley and others about it, too.
MORE ABOUT TAYLOR.
George johnson testified regarding the
telegram Taylor sent Crabtree asking fol
$50.
Maggie Mitchell gave evidence to the
effect that Taylor visited her house in
Auburn shortly after the fire and con
suited with Haller there. He told her
that he had done a job" for Crabtree, fol
which he was to receive 500. of this
amount he had already received 500 and
was then expecting another installmeni
of $50.
As in the case of the witness Haller.
District Attorney Ryan had considerable
trouble getting what the Mitchell woman
knew out of her. Frequently he violated
the rules Of questioning. by asking what
are known 10 the legal profession as
leading questionS'i-and each time he
was taken TO task by Attorney johnson,
fer the defense, and several times by the
court. Finally
JUDGE CATLIN LOST PATIENCE,
And, iii answer to another of Mr.. John
sons objections, said: Don't you know,
Mr.. Johnson, that Mr.. Ryan does not
know how to ask anything but leading
questions?"
Yes, L do know that" replied Mr..
Johnson.
Mr.. Ryan smiled at first and then, as
he realized that the Judge was in earnest,
grew indignant. He said he objected 10
such remarks, coming from the bench.
Judge Catlin was equally warm in re-
tortlng, intimating that the county prose
cutor had better take his seat.