The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1892-08-24
4 WOMAN IN BLACK.
She Causes a Sensation in Police
Circles.
Claimed to be a Former Wife of Ban
dit Evans-Her Employer Ex-
plodes the story.

Police circles were considerably agi-
tated for spell last evening, as it was
thought that they had got upon very
warm trail leading to the lair of the train
robbers, Evans and Sontag. The sensa-
ton was all caused, however, by an er-
ratio young woman who, under the slim
illus of a little alcohol, imagined herself
to be former wife of Evans.
Between and o'clock Ben True. the
railroad detective, went to the French
restaurant for his dinner. He noticed a
woman in black at one of the tables and
saw her writing something at the counter
before she went out.
When True was about to depart the
proprietor's wife handed him u note
which the mysterious young woman had
lett for him, and also showed True let
ter she had confded to her to be mailed.
Il was addressed to Chris Evans, the
Iulare outlaw.
The note addressed to True stated that
the writer was Evans first wife, and that
she had, on Monday, sent him Sl40 by
W ellis, Fargo ~ Co. True was also told
that the woman IN black mad belt about
her waist containing pistol and a full
supply OF cartridges.
lie at once went to the police station
and notified Chief Rodgers OF the mys-
teriOus affair. A bout that time someone
called up the Chiefs ONCE by telephone.
i WOlnanS voice was distinguished but
the officers could not understand what
she was talking about.
1t was learned, however, that she was
talking from the central Office, and Chief
Rodsers, True, Captain Bradley and
Oincer Ferral fastened there, only TO
learn that the woman had departed in a
Guruey cab.
A search was ut once instituted for her,
ana soon alterward Two uptown officers
encountered the cab, took its occupant in
charge and turned her over t. Captain
bradley. W len questioned at the police
station she would not talk much, but
Wept and begged not to be locked up.
Then she grew defiant and declared she
would xiii anyone who tried to put her
into cell. she was, however, persuaded
to enter the women's cell. Ali she had
II her pocket was purse with 81 90 in
II, and a note dated on Monday and adj
dressed to her by "B. A. r. - asking
the nature of some suit to which she had
referred as having been commenced
against her.
Officer True made inquiry of Wells.
Fargo q Co. and learned that no money
had been sent to Evans, and it then be-
gan to dawn upon the police that the
mysterious woman In black was q harm
less crank
This theory became crystalIized into
solid TACT little later on, when Captain
Bradley met mine host Phinney Of the
Slough House. Phinney said he had
come to town after his horse and cart,
which woman who had been in his
employ as a cook had driven away early
in the morning. On Monday, he said.
the woman drank some liquor and yes
terday morning he paid her what was
due, So 30, as she had concluded to
leave.
When he found his horse and cart gone
he hitched up another and hurried to-
ward the city. He overlook the cart and
its occupant at Mrs. kirn's saloon at
Brighton. He drove the woman to town
and her trunk came in later on the stage.
Phinney gave her name as Mrs. Annie
Mechanics.
There is apparently nothing wrong
with the woman, except that she had
probably become over-excited from the
liquor she had drank and imagined her.
self the former wife of bandit Evans,
She is a young woman of nice appearance
and apparently very bright and we'll
informed. There is no charge against
her and to-day she win probably be re-
lpos sod