The morning call., 1892-10-27
The Messenger Describes the Man Who
Robbed Him.
TALLIES EXACTLY WITH SOyTiG.
The Queer Stories Told by the Defendant at
visalia the Morning Of the
Robbery.
Special to THE MORNING CALL.

FRESNO Oct. 26.-The proceedings In the
S0ntag case this morning were very inter-
esting. Colonel j. p. Jackson. Assistant
Treasurer of the United States, testified to
having shipped by Wells, Fargo g. Co., on
August 3. sack containing $500 to the
Arizona Bank of Prescott.
George d. Roberts. Wells Fargo's mes
senger on the train the night ii was robbed.
was then placed on the stand and testified
to the robbery, his testimony being about
the same as his statements published in the
newspapers shortly after the robbery. He
described the robber who entered the car as
a well-built man about five feet nine inches
tall, and weighing about ITO or $50 pounds.
He wore mask, q black hat and brown
coat and vest and overalls. Being shown
the mask and clothes found in Sontag's
trunk, the witness said they resem mbled
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 robber
got S529 in gold and silver in packages and
a sack containing $500 in American money,
besides two bags of moEey which were
valued at $500 and $420 respectively.
In answer to questions as to how the voice
of the robber Tailed with that Of the de-
fendant 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 satisfied
that he is the man who entered my car that
night" impressiyely answered the witness.
The answer caused futter OF excitement
among the spectators. The prisoner be-
came nervous and whispered to his counsel.
DoH n EAtxya a
PollitZ, a broker, was put on the stand. He
testified that on August he shipped 100
pieces Of South and Central American coin
valued at 5000 TO bank at New York by
Wells, Fargo IL Co. He identified the tags
on the moneybags as the ones written by
him.
At the afternoon session the express mes
senger was recalled and his cross-examina-
tion resumed. The whole story was gone
over again, but the witness did not deyate
from The testimony given by him On the
direct examination. One important point OF
his testimony confiicted with that of En-
gineer Phipps. Phipps stated that the rob-
ber who seemed to be taking the leading
part and who is believed to have been the
defendant had Canadian accent. Roberts
testified that lie had heard the defendants
voice since the robbery and 1t was like the
voice of the robber who treated him so
roughly. He did not notice. however, that
he had q foreign accent.
The defendants attorney asked the wit
ness number Of questions for the pur-
pose, as he stated, of showing that the wit
ness was under the influence of the express
company. They were objected to, however,
by the prosecution, and tile objection was
sustained.
f. c. Osborne, Deputy County Clerk, tes-
tilted to the amount of money in the sacks
introduced in evidence in the forenoon.
S. b. Noel of Visalia, the next witness,
b,s tba of anf in IA at ~ in
ner the day.after the robbery. Sontag told
him he was on the train at the time of the
robbery on his way from San Francisco, and
that the passengers were badly scared. He
told the witness that he sat in the next
C ach TO the express, and that he did not
get out of the car during the robbery.
Z. Ward Bradley Of Visalia, driver of the
bus from the Palace Hotel to the depot,
told how he met the train from Goshen that
connected with the looted train. The pris-
oner rode in tile bus with the witness to the
hotel. They went into the saloon together
and Sontag told him he was on the train that
was robbed aud related some incidents con-
nected with the robbery. He also exhibited
q screw head that he said had been blown
out of the car he told the witness that he
was in passenger coach and that he went
out at the rear end OF the coach. Witness
saw John Sontag in Vsalia about three
hours after that, or about 9 O'Clock in the
morning. He last saw George Sontag about
two weeks previous to the robbery, and
George said he was going to San francisco.
Louis Ness. barkeeper In the Palace Ho-
tel in Visalia, said he saw the defendant in
the barroom of the hotel on the morning of
the train robbery about 5 O'Clock. S0ntag
said he was on the passenger coach and
went out on the platform.
Deputy Sheriff George w. Witty Of Vi
salia was asked as to what he knew about
the physical condition Of John Sontag, but
Attorney Coldwell for the defense objected
strenuously. He said al attempt was be-
ing made to make the defendant vicari-
Gus sacrifice for the sins of his brother
John. Tie objection being overruled. the
witness said he saw John Sontag a few
days before the robbery walking with the
aid IF a cane and limping.
Estate il you saw John Sontag in the COM
papy Of the defendant after the robbery,
said the District Attorney.
The witness answered that he saw the de-
fendant and his brother at the house of
Chris Evans on August between noon and
/ o'clock. When the witness entered the
house he told the prisoner he had heard he
was on the train at the time of the robbery,
and that the Sheriff desired to ask him
some questions relative to the affair. The
right, | will CO." Defendant thereupon
accompanied Detective Win Smith and the
witness 10 the Shsriff'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 the defendant. He offered no resist
ance.
Charles F. johnson. a Visalia constable,
testified that John Sontag was home few
DAYS before the robbery. He walked with
q perceptibe limp and was quite lame.
On cross.examination witness admitted
that he was not sure he saw John Soutag
fifteen days before the robbery or earlier
than that time.