The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-09-11
HEADING FOR THE MOUNTAINS.
Evans and sontag Seen In the Vicinity Of
Visaffa.

Evans and sontag Seen In the Vicinity Of
visaifa.
VIsALIA, Sept. 10-This town has been
greatly stirred up recently by the unques-
toned presence in this vicinity of Train
robbers Evans and Sontag. Yesterday
Frank Bell arrived in town and stated that
OF Tuesday night the robbers had been seen
near Dunlap. Then there was rumor in
the afternoon that party of citizens had
the bandits corraled on the Winstanley
ranch near Goshen and that fight had been
had with the outlaws. All these stories
spread rapidly and were fanked on either
side by tales that were full of romance and
devoid Of reason. The report that the rob-
bers are In the mountains again is given
great credence in official circles, and the
conclusion that the robbers have doubled
back on their trail TO the wild and rugged
hills is probably correct. There is reason
10 believe that the bandits would not re-
main very long on the plains, as they would
be at terrible disadvantage il a fight was
precipitated with them and the officers on
the trail.
The story told by Frank Bell. who lives
in Drum Valley, about thrty-fse miles from
this city. bears out this theory. Bell says
that on Tuesday night Evans and Sontag
stopped at a house two miles from Dunlap,
a small postofice in Fresno County. just
his way TO this city from Sequoia mills. and
stopped at Dunlap on the way down.
There he was told by the Postmaster that
Evans and Sontag had driven to ranch
owned by John howell, about three miles
from Dunlap, aud put up for the night They
arrived there late at night aud demanded
something 10 eat and place to sleep. Their
demands were executed with neatness and
dispatch. and the fugitive outlaws got out
side of an appeiizing meal with equal neat
ness and dispatch. They were provided
with places TO sleep, aud their slumbefs
were not disturbed until o'clock in the
morning, when they were awakened by their
unwilling host. Evans wanted TO know why
his slumbers we're disturbed at such an early
hour, and was told by Dir. Howell that he
did not think il advisable for the fugltives
to remain there after old Sol had peeped
over the snow-capped peaks Of the Slerras.
Evans, who was not 10 be frightened by his
landlords anxiety for their welfare. said
that there was not much danger from their
pursuers. The self-possessed bandits re-
manned as Mr.. HowelPs guests until 10
O'Clock In the morning, when they departed
on foot up the mountains.
Before departing Evans told Mr.. Howell
to take the horse and cart back to Super
visor Ellis, the owner thereof. aud that
wien he returned 10 the plains again he
would pay Ellis for the use of the outfit.
Evans told Mr.. Howell that he and his CON-
panon in exile were going to Sampson's
Flat, about fifteen miles from H0welPs
house. Mr.. Howell says the robbers were
cool and collected, and did not betray the
slightest evidence Of fear OF being captured.
Mr.. Bells story was corroboTated later In
the day by a Mr.. Iugham.. who lives in the
Drum Valley country.
Detective Hickey telegraphed yesterday
to a man at Sequoia mills to go TO Dunlap
and investigate the Bell story.