The record-union., 1892-10-27
COILS TRAIN ROBBERY.
INTERESTING TESTIMONY AT THE
TRIAL OF GEORGE SONTAG.
Express Messenger Roberts Identities
Defendant as the Man Who
Entered the Car.
Special to the REcoRD-USrox

Speclal to the RECORD-UN MON.
FRESNO, Oct 26.-The proceedings in
the Sontag case this morning were very
interesting. Colonel ]. p. Jackson. the
Assistant Treasurer of the United States,
testified to having shipped by Wells,
Fargo II Co. on August Sd sack contain
ing $500 to the Arizona Bank in Prescott.
George d. Roberts, Wells Fargo's
messenger, who was in the train on the
night it was robbed, was then placed on
the stand and testified to the robbery.
His testimony was about the same as his
statements published in the newspapers
shortly after the robbery.
He described the 80 'CP who entered
the car as a well built man about five feet
nine inches tall, and weighing about 40
or $50 pounds. He wore a mask, a black
hat and brown coat and vest and over
alls. When shown the mask and the
clothes found in Sontags trunk the wit
ness said that they resembled exactly the
ones worn by the robber He related
the incidents of the trip down the railroad
track, when he was made to carry the
stolen money. He said that the robbers
got S529 in gold and silver in packages
and sack containing $500 in American
money, besides two bags of money which
were valued at $500 and S420 respectively.
In answer to question as to how the
voice of the robber tailed with that of
the defendant, he replied that it tailed
exactly.
How does the defendant compare with
the man who entered the car, as to voice,
size and general appearance" asked
District Attorney Tupper.
I'm my own mind | am perfectly salts
fed that he is the man who entered my
car that night" impressively answered
the witness.
The answer caused flutter of excite
ment among the spectators. The prisoner
became nervous and whispered to his
counsel.
Roberts was then withdrawn and Ed
ward PolitZ, San Francisco broker. was
put on the stand.
He testified that on August the Sd he
shipped ], 200 pieces of South and Central
American coin, valued at 81 ,020. to the
Bank of New York by Wells, Fargo d
Co,
He identified the tags on the money
bags as the ones written by him
Roberts was recalled and was being
cross-eXamined when the hour for the
noon recess arrived.
At the afternoon session the cross-ex-
animation of Express Messenger Roberts
was resumed. The whole story was gone
over again, and witness did not deViate
from the testimony given by him on the
direction. One important point of his
testimony conflicted with Engineer
Phlpps. Phipps stated that the robber
who seemed to be taking a leading part.
and who is believed to have been the de-
fendant. had a Canadian accent Roberts
testified that be had heard defendants
voice since the robbery, and it was like
the voice of the robber who treated him
so roughly. He did not notice, however,
that he had foreign accent.
Defendant asked witness a number of
questions, for the purpose, as he stated. of
showing that witness was under undue
influence OF the express company. They
were objected to, however, by the prosecu
ton, and the objection was sustained.
S. B. Noel of Fisalia was the next wit
ness. He said ne saw defendant in Visalia
at dinner the day after the robbery. Son
tag said he was on the train at the
time on his way from San Francisco. and
that the passengers were badly scared.
He told witness that he sat i'll the next
coach to the express, and that he did not
get out of the car during the robbery.
Edward Bradley of Visalia, driver of
the Palace bus from the hotel to the de-
pot, told how he met the train from
Goshen that connected with the robbed
train. The prisoner rode in the bus with
witness to the hotel. They went into the
saloon together, and Sontag told him he
W tS Oll Tie lTdlll ludI WAS TODDG0, and
other matters connected with the rob-
berry. He also exhibited a screw-head
that he said had been blown out of the
car. He told witness that he was in
passenger coach, and that he went out at
the rear end of the coach.
Deputy Sheriff Witty testified that he
saw John Sontag few days before the
robbery walking with the aid of cane
and linping. He saw defendant and his
brother John at the house of Chris Evans
August 5th, between noon and O'Clock.
When witness entered the house he told
the prisoner he had heard he was on the
train at the time of the robbery, and the
Sheriff desired to ask him some questions
relative to the affair. Defendant hesitated,
then said: ''All right, L will 60" De-
1endant thereupon accompanied Will
Smith and witness to the Sheriff's office.
Witness admitted that he went to Evans
house for the purpose of arresting George
Sontag. Chris Evans was in town at the
time, and John Sontag was in the house
with defendant. He offered no resist
anee.
The court then adjourned until 9 O'Clock
tomorrow morning.