The morning call., 1893-06-18
WE ARE INNOCENT
A Voice From Folsom
Speaks.
GEO. SONTAG INTERVIEWED.
Declares That His Brother, Chris
Evans and Himself Were Not
the Train Robbers.
GEO. SONTAG INTERVIEWED.
Special to THE MORNING CALL

SACRAMENTO, June lI.-Ine Evening
Bees Folsom correspondent To-Day tele-
graphs an extended interview had with
George Sontag, who is serving life SEN
tence in the State prison for participation
in the Coils train robbery with his brother
John and Chris Evans, now lying danger
ously wounded in Visala jail.
The convict is described as handsome,
powerfully built man, about so years OF
age. The correspondent says:
"Of course you have heard all about the
capture of your brother and Chris Evans 2"
l began gently and persuasively.
Yes" responded Soutag quietly, and
relapsed into silence. He did not seem in
clined to talk IN the subject. but sat look
Ing at me questioningly as if in wonder
ment. l said to him:
"They say that your brother will die"
A slight perceptible quiver of tightly shut
lips betrayed his silent grief.
YES" he answered, in a softer tone
than he had used before; Il have seen it
stated in the papers that he cannot live.
1t is terrible misfortune 10 John aud
Chris"
Not an injustice? ?" 1 suggested.
YES" he answered quickly. with bitter
emphasis; "a terrible Injustice. l feel
positive that my poor brother and Chris
Evans are botn innocent as |; and |, God
knows, am not guilty of the crime they
sent me 10 prison for. Crcum stantial evil
dence was black against me, know, but
it shall be my dying statement that L am
innocent"
John Sontag says that his dying state
ment will be that he is innocent"
Yes" answered his brother George;
land SO far as l know lie had nothing to
do with the Coils train robbery-neither
he nor Chris Evans"
"Then why did Evans fire at the officers
when they came to arrest them at Evans
house?"
Il do not understand why he fired; but
this is the explanation that | would give
You: You see, sentiment was very strong
against John and Chris Evans, and they
thought that no mercy would be shown
them If they were arrested, so they pre-
ferred to buy liberty at any COST"
could not resist cruel thrust. Yes,
said, at the bitter cost of so many lives
they purchased their liberty; but for how
short time" George S0ntag's face was
immovably calm, and his eyes wandered
from my face. lie seemed not TO have
heard word. although l spoke quite dis
tinctly. You perhaps read that 1t is sup
posed Evans went to Lie Perkins house
in order that Mr.. Perkins might give him
up and obtain the reward for his (Evan>)
family?" Sontag's eyes returned TO my
face.
Wasn't that a manly act?' he said
eagerly, proudly.
DO you know why suspicion was direct
cd hro
yoursef?"
Il do not unless it was because my
brother was very bitter against the railroad
company"
"Dd you know that Evans hand was
cut off ?"
Which hand. his left?" he oueried with
a show of interest.
Yes" answered.
He was silent moment.
Il heard to-day that there was some
chance of my brothers recovery" he said,
suddenly, and saw that his face was lit
up with sudden CLEAN of hope.
why WAS suspicion directed to you?'
He settled himself more comfortably on
his chair, placed one knee over the other,
and said: II will tell you my story. A
year and half ago | came over TO Fresno.
bnt stayed only short time, for MY eyes
became sore. AS soon as they were cured
] returned. just before the Coils robbery
l came west again and was soon interested
in a mine at Sampson Flat which my
brother John and Chris Evans owned.
They were to go through bankruptcy and
then we were to work the mine. l came
down to Fresno on the day before the
Coils train robbery. Or the morning
after the robbery l was standing with
some friends when some one told me that
Hall wanted to see me. l knew Hall and
Immediately walked over to the jail, where
he was. He began 10 question me about my
life for the past few years, all of which l
answered Then he told NE TO walk into
jail, that [ was his prisoner"
Wasn't it slight shock 70 you?| 1 in
terposed.
"a shock? Well, / guess it was. l
didn't suppose he was in earnest at first
But when found he was walked quietly
into JAIL"
'Do you expect q new trial?"
indications at present are that l will
get one" he said with a slight smile