The herald., 1894-10-23
ARE THEY THE ROSCOE ROBBERS?
Alva Johnson in Jail Again OIL
the Charge.
kid" Thompson to Be Arrested by
Detective Smith.
Detective Breckenridge Arrives with
Etzlor, Who Informed Against the
accused johnson Refuses
to Talk.

Alva Johnson was arrested and lodged
in the county jail last night for the
second time on charge of being one OF
the robbers who ditched and robbed the
overland express at Roscoe, on the
Soothern Pacific railroad, Is milee
north of the city, on the night OF Feb
ruary is. In that wreck Fireman Ar
thur Manters and Arthur Daily, both OF
this city, were killed. and several thou
sand dollars stolen from the ex-
press car. Just 80 days prior to that
robbery the came train was stopped and
robbed ct the same place, and it has
always been thought that the same per
some perpetrated both deeds.
The arrest of Johnson last night was
brought about by Charles Elzler, from
whom Detective Breckenridge of the
Southern Pacific company secured q
confession as to how the crime was com.
mitted and who the perpetrators were.
Detective Breckenridge arrived in the
city yesterday, having Eizier in charge.
He found his informant at Phoenix,
Arz., vino gave him the clue TO the
whole facta in two of the boideat rob-
beriee ever committed in the state.
II Etzler's story is true, "Kid" Thomp-
son was Alva Johnson's accom-
plics. while he. Etzler. took
but little part in the Notorious transac-
ton. Thompson, it will be remem-
bered, was thought at the time of
Johnson's first arrest to have been con-
nected with the holdups, and Constable
Rogers, who made the arrest, hunted
weeks for him, finally tracing him to
Arizona, where he lost all clue to his
whereabouts.
1t now trsnspires, according to Etzler's
story. that both he and Thompson, after
the robberies here. went direct to Ari-
IONA for the express purpose OF holding
up another train. After arriving there,
and after planning a robbery which
Etzler thought would not prove sue
cessful, he decided to abandon
Thompson and attempt to gain at
least part OF the reward offered
by the Southern Pacific company for the
arrest and conviction Of the culprits. By
thus turning states evidence he thought
he would be sure of at least some coin,
while if he had followed train robbing as
regular business he might get no
money, and was sure. sooner or later, of
Joining the great majority by means OF
rope, as now it is capital ofenss in
both this state and Arizona territory.
In view of the Likelihood of the capture
and conviction of Alvs Johnson and Kid
Thompson. Detective Breckenridge
brought Etzlsr to this city and began a
hunt for the Tejunga rancher who WAS
once tried and acquitted of the charge.
The detective engaged Will Smith and
Detective Bowler, both of the Southern
Pacific company, and they got their
heads together and started out, Bowler
to get johnson and Smith to get Thomp-
son. The latter is eaid to have been
located near Phoenix, and if he was not
frightened away by the reports given
in the papers, he will be brought in to-
night or tomorrow by Smith.
The story, as given out by Etzler, was
made public by Mccarthy. former
Los Angeles real estate dealer, who is
now detective in the sun.baked re-
gions OF cacti and desert.
While it may or may not have been an
easy thing to capture Thompson, it was
not particularly fascinating job to ar
rest johnson. Associated with Detective
Bowler in the hunt for johnson were
Deputy Sheriff Frank Dowler of Ante
lope valley and Express Messenger Jen-
ninge, Do Hier is one of the best officers
in the state. and usually wants to work
alone. So it was in this case. The
country for miles around Johnson'e
home in the Tejunga ca1on mad
been searched. and it was given out that
he had left the country. Dowler got
clue which led him to the vicinity of
Newhsll, while Bowler and Jennings
went up north. Dowler waited until
after dark last night and, taking buggy
at Newhall, drove toward the San Fran
cisauito caflcn, where he thought johns
son was in hiding. To his
surprise, he met johnson and two
other men in wagon going into New
hall, for the purpose, as was aiterward
learned, of giving Johnson an oppor-
tunity to 60 home, get some money and
leave the country. Dowler drove by the
wagon without being recognized, and
without having created any suspicion,
but soon turned and followed
the men into Newhall. When near
the railroad track, they stopped.
and on going away from the wagon,
leaving their ritles-they were all heav-
lily armed-Dowler covered them with
his revolver and told Johnson to sur
render. johnson started running, but
the deputy sheriff covered him and
compelled him to give up. Placing him
on the 0 80 train from Santa Barbara
he brought his prisoner to this city, and
put him in cell in the county Jail.
johnson refused to talk to reporters.
All he said was that it was very hard
to be locked up" He would neither
deny nor admit his guilt, and asked to
be excused from saying ANYTHING at all
for publication.
The detectives are engaged in looking
up evidence in the case, end if Smith is
successful in arrestng Kid Thompson
they claim they can prove that he and
Johnson committed both Roscoe rob-
berries.