The morning call., 1894-04-23
IN A DARK CELL.
A Frisco Boys Hard Lot
in Los Angeles.
A Detective Who Did Not Detect nor
Act in Very Intelligent
Manner.

Alfred 81. Isaacs, aged IS years, son of
Alfred S. isaacs. State Wharfnger at Main
street wharf, returned to San Francisco
Yesterday and related a story about the
Los Angeles Police DEPARTMENT that is
both interesting and astonishing.
Young Isaacs' father is a prominent
Grand Army man and an old resident OF
this State. He is justly indignant at the
treatment TO which his son was subjected,
which is amply testified TO by Lawyer
Fitzgerald Of Los Angeles and other repu.
TIA ole citizens of that city. The boys story
has never been published, he preferring to
wait until lis return to this city before
making public his complaints.
Though Isascs is only Is years OF age
and as innocent looking youth as one
would care to meet in days travel he was
accused OF being implicated in the Jacob
son diamond robbery, branded as Chicago
crook. lad his picture taken to decorate
the Los Angeles rogues' gallery and was
kept for two days and nights In dark
cell. all because he sold pair OF specta-
Giles to farmer for ST., breaking an al
legged license law.
Following is the young mans story.
Just before be related it he showed marks
on his wrists of handouts, and sores on
his knuckles that he claims he got when
placed under arrest.
INV trouble occurred" he commenced,
"aDOut one month ago. l had been in Los
Angeles only short while, having travelled
in the San Joaquin Valley making sales OF
eyeglasses and spectaces.
Il started to return to the city and over
took q farm-wagon, asking the driver for
ride.
II had $50 in my pocket In gold. l
thought to myself that l would try to
make sale OF pair of 81 glasses to add
to my stock Of coin.
1.-The man on the wagon stopped at
roadside place. tried the specs on, said
they suited him and gave me 81 in pay
ment.
Just as he did SO man stepped up to
me and said: L want you; come al Dg
with me- l was taken by surprise and
asked him who be was.
He replied by saying: Never mind
who l am; Pm onto YOU
II asked him to show ne his star il he
was an officer, out instead of complying
he drew pair OF handouts from his
pocket and started to iron me. | objected
and struggled, not knowing with whom L
was dealing, and was cut about the
wrists and hands.
1.-The man. whom / afterward learned
was Detective Hawley of the Los Angeles
police force, took me TO the city Jail and
| put me in the dark CELL
blow long l renamed there l don't
| know before he visited me again. 1t must
have been six hours.
| II suffered tortures in mind and body,
| and the darkness nearly set me crazy.
| Pretty soon the door opened and Haw-
| ley came in. What do you know about
the jacobson dinmonds?' he asked.
Nothing l replied. Don't lie to me-
he said. You are one of that gang, and
you know it. You had better make con-
! fession or it will go hard with you.'
II maintained my innocence and asked
to be allowed to secure a lawyer This
was refused me.
I've seen you in Chicago and you are
a crook he continued. II declared that
/ had never been in Chicago in my life,
but he would not listen 70 me. He left me
and | stayed in that dungeon for a day
and three-Quarters lonlH,r.
1T seems that some lady who was pres
sent when | was struggling with Hawley
| interested herself in my behalf and sent
! Lawyer Fitzgerald to me.
Before this happened. however, a trusty
| in tie prison sent shyster to me, whom
| refused to employ, as he wanted me to give
him all the money that L had left with the
| jaler before he would take my case.
| Lawyer Fitzgerald demanded that be
| released or tried Immediately, and the re-
suit was l was tried for selling goods
without license, pleaded guilty and was
! fined SIS.
"Hawley still insisted that I was a
crook, and before 1 was released had me
photographed. II was the worst expert
ence l ever had in my life"
Alfred FL. Isaacs, father of the abused
young man, was seen. He expressed
great indignation at the manner in which
his boy had been treated.
II shall take legal steps immedia tely,"
said he. II shall first demand the surren-
der of the picture. for it is not right that 1t
should be in the Los Angeles gallery.
II think things have come to a pretty
pass when man can be incarcerated for
two days in tank cell and abused simply
because he Is suspect"
Mr. Isaacs is a man of means and can
afford to make thorough Investigation of
his sons case.