The morning call., 1893-11-05
LEFT THE STATE.
Actor Curtis Escaping
From the Courts.
lie Went East Disguised as a Foun-
dry Workman and Will Not
Be Here to Testify.

Actor NJ. B. Curtis is far away from
California and the witness-stand, where
he was wanted to give evidence against
king" McManus and ex-State Senator
Dunn. Attorneys and others interested in
his case shake their heads and smile when
asked if they think he will come back
Curtis is happy enough in the East"
they will say. HE ought to have had
enoug h of California for some time to
come"
But will he come back in time to tes-
tify in the jury-bribing cases?"
"Quien sabe. Who knows?" accom-
panied by ali eloquent shrug. which added
to the uncertainty OF the reply.
Curtis did not wholly withdraw from
California. His interests here are worth
something still. though he claims to have
loss over $4,000 in getting clear of the
charge of killing Policeman Grant. His
wife remained on the ranch, near Traver,
whittier she went last Friday from San
Francisco. She is attending to business
on this end in his absence. and likely
enough he will be eDgrossed in the pro-
ductiOn of sensational play founded on
the Grant murder, the trial and many
startling developments, not least of which
will be his queer manner OF eSca ping from
the State disguised as a machine-shop
laborer.
There is an amusing side to the story of
~Curtis' escape which may be introduced in
a play as spicy situation. Anybody who
knew Curtis on the stage as Sam1 OF
Posen. and also Ia private life, would ap-
preciate the eccentric humor of his dis
guise and facial expression. He wore old
trousers that had been used in some fouD-
dry. The relic of attire was bespattered
with mud and beGrimed with SCOT. and as
we'll as being badly diapidated showed
signs of having suffered from too much
sitting. The remainder of his attire was a
dirty coarse wooden shirt which did not all
disappear beneath the waistband, an old
vest and worn cap. The actors feet were
covered with fr0wsy brogans with clay and
mud spread thickly over them. In this
guise the escaping actor made his appear
ance on the train leaving for New York.
His mustache was shaved off and to add to
his disguise Curtis had creased mis- hands
and face with black oils and dirt.
He travelled on Second-class ticket In q
p phillips excursion car, In which were many
sedate and rather particular people en-
route to Boston. Curtis was Stunned by
his fellOw-passengers as one nnclean.
None of them would notice him, much less
sit beside him in a seat. General objec-
tions were made against him, but the ex-
cursion manager removed prejudces by
announcing that the undesirable traveller
was not a bTakebeam tourist. but d
mechanic with ticket.
"When / saw him." said the railroad
agent. Charles H. Miles. II had TO laugh.
He knew me, of course. and held news
paper in front of his face while he read
the news with great interest. But !
laughed again, and he saw [ recognized
| him. IL was one of the most ridiculous
and comical makeups l ever saw. 1t was
| none OF my business to talk about my pas
sengers, so | said nothing about him. He
could hardly have dressed as he did for the
| purpose of escaping. because the disguise
made him very remarkable. [ believe he
did it for a sensational effect, as he is
working on new play, in which he will
appear as the hero in the Grant tragedy.
He went East on a single ticket and did
not get return"
When Curtis passed the State line be
changed his apparel and made no secret OF
his Identity.