The herald., 1893-06-30
SOMETHING ABOUT BAIL BONDS.
An Examination Which Dis
closed Something.
Young G. B. Nelson's Efforts ON Be-
half of Young Crittendon.
An Attempt to Get Bail Bond by
Spending Money in Saloons in
Endeavors to Mako Friends
for q Prisoner.

@. B. Nelson exerted himself unctuous-
ly but unsuccessfully yesterday to prove
to Justice Bartholomew's eatisfsction
that he had correctly expended 500 en-
trusted to him to procure the liberation
of young r. W. Crittenden from the
county jail.
Nelson is seedy-looking, middle-aged
man with something of camp meeting
twang to his utterances and conducted
his own defense.
Crittenden, whose real name is John
Waddil, had the misfortune recently to
run against the United States laws
relative to taking letters from the mails
to which he WAS not entitled. He is not
bad looking young fellow, and has a
father in the east who is much con-
cerned over the scrape into which his
son has tumbled. After his arrest coun-
sci was procured for the young man.
He was srraigned day or two since in
the federal court and is still in Jail.
Amongst other things his father did
was to send to a friend of his in the
city, Rev. w. O. Bowman, pastor OF the
church of the New Era. 500 to be OK
pended as he might deem best to further
the interests of his son.
Somewhere in the east, possibly
Kansas City, young Waddil had met @.
B. Nelson. He acquired quite an infiu-
ence over the young man, and they were
in Los Angeles together before the
trouble occurred which resulted in Wad-
dil's arrest. He called to see the young
man in the county jail and sympathized
with him, also giving him an old coat
and vest. When Waddil learned OF the
arrival of the 800 he told his friend
about it, and the latter with fertile
imagination said that ii he was allowed
to take it, he would speedily succeed in
procuring bonds for the prisoner and he
might once more breathe fresh air on
the right side of prison bars. Waddil
jumped at the idea, and wrote a note to
Mr.. Bowman stating that his friend
would secure his release and for him to
turn over the money to him.
The reverend gentleman, who does
not Eeem to have had his weather eye
open for moral agriculturistH OF Nelson s
stripe, readily obeyed the request Of his
eastern friends son and gave into Nell
sons hands the nice little plum. But
toning his pocket over the money Nelson
told his venerable dupe to rest assured
that all would be right, and to leave
everything with him.
Nelson, armed with the ducsts, sent
up some groceries to Waddil and then
followed curious Interpretation of his
trust by the fellow He blew in the
money at saloons and with people whom
he would talk to about going on his
friends bond. Pretty soon the money
was all gone and the Jail doors did not
open. Then Nelson was arrested.
Rev. Mr.. Bowmon was present in
court looking sad and chidingly at Mel
son, who carried ouG his defence with
Gang froid and sm0othness. 1t was very
easy TO prove that he had received the
money, and he admitted that he spent
it, but did so for the purpose OF max
ing friends" who would go on the bond.
A side light was let in upon class OF
transactions in connection with the pro-
curing OF bonds for prisoners with
moneyed friends, which is worthy OF
note.
One of the witnesses called by the de-
fendant was Charles Gerson, who has
been one OF the term trial Jurors in the
superior court, department one.
Nelson asked him if he had not come
to him about getting him to go on Wad-
diPs bond, and Gerson replied that he
had.
''What did you tell me ?" said the de-
fendant in quite an attorney like tone.
II told you," said the witness, not at
all sbashed. s'that would go on the
bond and help get it up if you would
give us security for the $500 and pay
us $500 for our services"
What was it you said ?'' asked JUS
tice Bartholomew.
The witness repeated his reply and