The herald., 1893-06-15
DR. c. VP WATSON IN THE CITY
He Will, However, Testify in
the McWhirter Case.
An Attack of Erysipelas, He States,
Has Prevented His Progress.
The Stories About His UnwiIIingness to
Testify He Asserts Have No Foun-
dation-Dstective Law
sons Opinion.

DR.. O. V. P. Watson, one of the most
important witnesses in the McWhirter
case and about whom sensational stories
have been told, to the effect that he had
tried to escape the subpoena OF the court
by going out Of the state, is in this city.
DIR. Watson is at present confined to
his room in the Smithsonian house, on
South Hill street, at which place he ar
rived last tuesday.
He told a HERALD reporter today that
he was interested in some very impor-
tant business affairs in Phoenix, Ariz.,
and was there when his property in
Sanger, CAL, was burned. 81 returned
to Sanger at once" said the doctor,
"and collected the fire insurance due me
through the destruction of my building.
While in Sanger, on June I'd, was sub
pnnaed to appear in Fresno on the 18th
inst, as witness in the McWhirter
case. My business in Phoenix was of so
great Importance that at once returned
there to look after it, When arrived
in Phoenix | wrote to one of the
officers of the court in Fresno, stating
that would be in Fresno on the 18th or
14th of the month, informing him that
my business was of such Importance
that it would keep me until that time,
but that l should not. on any account,
fail to appear at the trial. While in
Phoenix was attacked with erysipelas in
my left leg and, although, suffering
greatly, started for Fresno, leaving
Phoenix last Monday afternoon. l suf-
fered untold agony during the trip, and
on my arrival here ON Tuesday afternoon
felt myself unable to proceed further,
and consequently went to bed, as you
find me-"
With the intention of learning some
facts, which would throw additiona light
on this subject, if possible, reporter
called on Detective Lawson.
Mr.. Lawson said that one week ago
yesterday Fresno officer arrived here,
looking for DIR. Watson, and called at
the agency.
Detective Lawson went to the tempo
rary residence OF the DOCTORS wife, 3l2
South Hill street. There, in answer to
questions as to the present locality of
the DOCTORS whereabouts, it was learned
that he was in Phoenix, Arizona, where
he was attending to some very impor-
tant business. but was expected to re-
turn on the 18th inst. to Fresno.
Mr.. Lawson had no doubt OF the
lady's truthfulness, and at once commu-
nicated with his correspondent at Phe-
nix and sscertsined that the doctor was
there and suffering very much with cry
sipelss in his leg. Lawson then sent
one OF his operators to Phoenix and kept
him there until last Monday, but
being satisfied that the doctor
intended to return, telegrsphed his
agent to do likewise, and be came back
on the same train with the doctor. Mr..
Lawson states that the accusations
brought against the doctor and pub
lished in various newspapers were an in
jueticn IN hia- tv.Htinra au1 uara IL
possible for him to reach Fresno at the
time specified he is confident he would
have been there and would have ap-
peared as witness in the case. AS it
now stands the doctor will be in ample
time to testify, all newspaper reports to
the contrary.