The herald., 1893-08-10
TROUBLE CAUSED BY QUAIL,
Fish and Game Patrolman
Fletcher's First Case.
He Enjoyed the First Part But the
Finale Disappointed Him.
Mr. Osborn and Mr.. stowelI on Trial
for Violation OF the Game Law.
They Are Quickly Ao-
quilted.

Deputy Fish and Game Patrolman
Fletcher's smile vanished yesterday
afternoon in Justice Bartholomew's
court, where Justice Mclean sat in a
game law violation case.
The reason for the disappearance OF
the smile was that the bottom of the
case dropped out.
And it was Fletcher's first case. He
was arrayed for it in striped psntaloons,
an equally striped shirt and coat, and
amused himself by laughing with Depu-
ty District Attorney Conkling when a
witness said anything which struck his
sense OF humor as pleasant.
The defendants were two bloedthirsty
bandits who live in Los Angeles-George
Stowell and T. j. Osborn. As an
amusement they carry on quite extern
slve business affairs. But as a regular
business they prowl around the county
armed to the teeth, and have commit
ted as high as two murders OF morning
before breakfast.
1t was during one of their terrible
raids that Deputy Fish and Game Pa
trolman Fletcher ran across the despera-
does, and had such a soul-thrilling ex-
perience with them that he kept up a
rafting fire of telephone communica-
tion with the sheriff. office until depu-
ties were sent out to Glendale to stop
the deluge of blood that Fletcher said
was flowing all over the usually peace
full streets of that little city.
The men we're chained and huge log
was fastened to each one to prevent him
from breaking loose. In this fashion
they were brought to the county Jail.
and at the suggestion of Mr.. Fletcher,
who trembled in every joint with joy at
having successfully delivered the terrors
of Southern California into custody.
They were put in padded cells and food
was handed to them on 40-foot poles,
until the trial yesterday.
1t was thought at first they would be
tried for murder, but Mr.. Fletcher con-
cluded to try small charge first and
see If 1t would work, go the complaint
read that Mr.. Osborn and Mr.. Stowell
had violated the game law by shooting
quail out of season.
1t came near being jury trial, but
after having his attention called to the
law, the district attorney decided that
as it was case where the fine was not
less than s25. it might be raised in
defnitely, and therefore rose to the dig
nifty of an examination. And an exam
ination it was. Mr.. Fletcher and Deputy
Constable Doyle described how they
saw the defendants shooting around the
cemetery, swooped down on them, &C.
cused them of shooting quail, and
Stowell admitted he had six in his bag,
and Osborn enc.
When the defendants went on the
etand, Mr.. Osborn explained that they
were hunting for doves, and shot about
so or 80. He found one dead quail in
the road and put 1t in his bag, He did
not know whether he shot it or not.
Mr.. Stowell explained his six quail
by saying that he saw some doves on
the edge OF the reservoir and ehot both
barrels in succession. On going to the
place he found one dove and two quail
and in another two doves and four quail.
He put them in his bag. He had no in
tention of killing quail.
Both men proved that they were
sportsmen of years. experience and had
always sustained game laws and observ-
ed them.
The astute Fletcher miled and smiled.
during this claim of the defendants, bnt
their manner and we'll known high char
acter as gentlemen carried more weight
than the prosecutions.
The prosecution claimed that the let
ter of the law stated that the possession
of quail out OF season, unless for propo-
CATION, was all that was necessary to
prove. Unless conviction could be OBJ
tanned the game law could not be en-
forced.
The defense ridiculed the idea Of hold
ing the defendants to answer to the su-
perior copt, where the very essence of a
crime. intent, was lacking. The de-
PENDANTS had shown clearly that the
killing OF the quail was accidental and
that they had no more intention of vio-
lating the law than the district attor-
ney.
Justice Mclean quickly set the de-
fendants free after the brief arguments
were concluded, and they were turned
loose to commit more bloodthirsty MUIR
der OF quail. evidently to Mr.. Flstcher's s
oroat alarm