The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1892-02-26


''And you went to bed with your clothes
on?n
I didn't go to Sleep
You went to bed ?''
mo; l laid down."
Did you see young Angraves at the
Red Light that night ?"
No.
Now let me ask you again. Is it not
a fact that Jack Taylor was in Lodi at the
tline OF the fire, and that you, yourself,
with the others, whose names you refuse
TO tell, set that stable afire?n
No, sir"
Continuing, Halter said that he bor-
IoWed $40 from man named McLaugh-
IN IN order to get out of Gait, as he had
no money himself. He denied positively
that he borrowed the money while the
stable was burning, or that he left Gait
that night
Alter being on the witness-stand about
an hour, Halter was finally excused, and
short recess was taken.
DoBsoN's CONFESSION.
upon reconvening, Mr.. Ryan called
upon Henry Dobson, another of the de-
PENDANTS, to take the witness-stand.
u der the advice of his connsel Mr.
Dobson declines to be Witness" said
Attorney Johnson.
"pll ask him myself" said Mr.. Ryan,
and he did.
Dobson refused positively to take the
stand
"All right" said the District Attorney.
lie then called Official Stenogfapher Win.
). Davis 10 the stand and asked him if he
was present in the Sheriff's office on Feb
ruary 18th, when a statement was made
ny DoDson IN the presence of Chief of
Police Drew, Police Captain Lee, Sheriff
Stanley, Elwood Bruner and the District
Attorney.
MIR. Davis replied that he was, and had
taken the statement down in shorthand
When asked TO detail the statement.
Attorney Johnson interposed a lengthy
objection. His grounds were that the
statement could not be used against Crab
tree and Taylor; that it was heresay; that
no foundation had been laid for iatroduc-
ing the statement; that the statement was
made after the fire, and the declaration of
an alleged conspirator after the commits
sion OF the alleged offense cannot he used
against his cO-conspirators; that the pro-
curement OF the statement was a wicked
trick, and one that should not be toler-
ated oy the court; that it was obtained
under threats and promises, and without
the presence of mis- attorney; that the
officers had no right to inveigle Dobson
into making statement in the absence
OF his counsel; that it was obtained by
fraud, he having been led to believe that
Crabtree had made confession; that the
statement was not voluntary one, as the
law requires,
Justice Henry ruled that in the absence
OF proof that the statement had been
obtained through threats or promises it
would be admissible.
Mr.. Johnson insisted that it should be
proved that there were no threats nor
promises, so Mr.. Ryan put some more
preliminary questions to the witness. In
reply, Mr.. Davis said that no promises
had been held out and that no threats had
been made. lie also denied that Dobson
was told that Crabtree had made con-
fession.
Before permitting the statement to be
read, Mr.. johnson asked for the privilege
OF showing that Dobson was in duress;
that job had been put UP to get the state
ment, and that Dobson's attorneys and
bondsmen were refused admission into
the County Jail.
Judge Henry did not think this course
advisable. He had satisfied himself on
the only point he had been in doubt
about, and that was as to whether there
had been any threats or promises.
Mr.. Johnson then wanted to put Messrs.
Ryan and Bruner on the stand to show
that threats and promises were made be-
lore witness Davis entered the Sheriff 8
Office, but the court would not permit it.
Then Mr. Johnson objected to the wit
ness reading his notes in full, claiming
that he could only refresh his memory
from his notes.
DAMAGING EVIDENCE.
Each successive objection was over
ruled, however, and Mr.. Davis finally
proceeded TO read the questions asked
Dobson by the several officers, and the
answers he gave.
This evidence was by far the most SEN
satlonal Of the day and consumed until
nearly O'Clock in the reading. The
statement IS damaging one to the de-
tense. In it Dobson saws that on the
! q
drove over to Gait from Lodi. He let
Taylor have buggy for the purpose. he
being employed in Crabtrees stable at
the time. Dobson Says he was ignorant
OF what Taylor proposed to do, the latter
simply saying that he desired to take a
drive. When they arrived within half
or quarter of a mile of Gait Taylor pulled
up the horse, got out, and told Dobson to
take care of the team until he returned.
as he desired to go down the road short
distance. Dobson did as he was told.
Taylor was not gone long, but when he
returned Dobson could See fire down
the road. Taylor said, ''Do you see that
blazer" Dobson said he did, and added.
You have played h" Taylor replied
that it was all right as he got paid for it.
They returned to Lodi, and Dobson could
see the flames all the way back. When he
arrived at Gait he left Taylor and went to
bed with Crabtree in the stable. He told
Crabtree about the fire and the latter only
said, THE h-you say" On the way
over from Gait, said Dobson in his con-
fession, Taylor told him he would kill
him if he ''squeale1." He had heard
Crabtree and Taylor conversing about
fire before the Gait fire occurred. He
heard Crabtree say that there was going
to be a fire and that he
HAD IT ALL FIXED
In cigar-box. Taylor did not tell Dob
son how much he was going to get for the
Job but the next day he had about 800
on his person aud was enjoying himself
DObson declares in his confession that he
received no money from Crabtree, nor
was he promised any. Crabtree told him
several times, however, to keep his mouth
shut, and said that he would help him if
he got into trouble. Dobson denies
positively that he helped Taylor to do the
Job, and adheres to the statement that
he did not know what Taylor was going
to do.
When Mr.. Davis had concluded read
ing the statement recess was taken un-
til 1870 P. NJ.
RATHER LATE.
When court convened again in the
evening Mr.. Davis was placed on the
witness-stand again for cross-examina-
ton.
In answer to questions asked by Mr..
Johnson, he said that it was about 10
o'clock at night when he visited the
County Jail with the District Attorney
and others. He met them at Mr. Brun-
er's office-all except Mr.. Ryan-at about
$50 o'clock. Some time was lost in find
ing Mr.. Ryan.
"Did the Sheriff acquiesce in this mat
ter?" asked Mr.. Johnson.
81 presume So was the reply.
did he say anything about it?''
| NAf hot ( ol,ar afJ