The morning call., 1894-04-15
TRUTH WILL OUT.
A Convict's Innocence in
an Old Letter.
VINDIcATION AFTER YEARS.
r. NJ. Garrett Sworn Into Jail
by His Enemies.
NO SALE FOR PRISON JuTE BAGS.
Directors Confronted With State
of Affairs That May Cause the
Mills to Close.
NO SALE FOR PRISON JuTE BAGS.

miliar adage that truth is stranger than
ictIon," was told by NJ. H. Higgins, the
Insurance Commissioner, before the Board
of Prison Directors st San Quentin yes
teTday.
+. NJ. Garrett, a man GO years OF age.
serving a sentence Of ten wears for an a.
legged Indecent crime. was clearly proven
to be innocent. and the board recommend
ed him 10 Governor Markham for pardon.
The case came under Mr.. Higgins per-
sonal observation when he was acting as
the Governors private secretary, and be
went before the Directors yesterday
With documentary proof of Garrett's inno-
cence, He said that Garrett had been
twenty-seven years III the United States
Internal Revenue service in New Orleans,
and during that time his wife adopted fe-
male child. There was trouble over the
little girl, which ended in a separation
from Mrs. Garrett, ard then he reared and
educated the child. When the boom was
at its height III Southern California
he moved 10 Los Angeles with
this adopted daughter. Garrett mar
ried again. and became the father of
a pretty girl. He was peculiarly adapted
to secret service work and found employ
ment in watching thieves and gamblers
who had drifted into Los Angeles. But in
this he incurred the enmity of the gam
blers. It was while engaged in working up
cases against them that painter named
Edgecomb, one OF the class against whom
Garrett's efforts were directed, met the
adopted daughter and betrayed her. Edge
combe was arrested for the betrayal ana
while awaiting trial married the girl, who
refused to testify against him. Once out
Of Jail Edgeeomb swore out warrant
accusing Garrett of undue Intimacy with
the Young woman, who passed as his
daughter, and when the trial took place
she corrOborated the accusation and two
gamblers also gave evidence against the
accused.
Garrett was convicted aud sentenced to
ten years. He served four years. The
girl has disappeared, but in some books
She left behind an unfinished letter to her
m other was found. 1t stated that she
swore falsely. but she loved Edgecom6e
and had 70 do something for his sake. She
was found by Garrett's friends and admit
ted that she wrote the letter and that he
was guiItless. Edgecombe weDt East with
his wife, and the little girl, CARROTS
daughter, is now in the Whittier Reform
School, as she mad nobody to support her
while her father was IN San Quentin.
After four years the truth has come out
and now the Governor is asked to pardon
an innocent man.
J. R. Germalne, sentenced to six years
from Los Angeles for robbery and assault
to murder, and who lost eighteen months
credits year ago for smuggling opium
into the prison, got three months credits
restored.
Joseph T. Ross, sentenced from Merced
to eight years Imprisonment for burglary.
attempted to escape by cutting a hole
through floor in the jutemill and for
feted sixteen months credits out OF
thirty-two.
John Barry. fifteen years.from San Joa-
quin County, became insane during the
month and was.sent 10 Stockton Asylum for
the Insane.
Henry Crawford, life sentence from San
Bernardino for murder in first degree on
eircumstantial evidence. had hearing on
the Recommendation of the Judge aud Dis
trict Attorney. but action was deferred.
Francisco TZetti. twenty-four years. as
sault 10 murder, was recommended iOr a
Communication to seventeen years. which
will set him free in year.
Felix PoIishinski, Russian sailor, SEN
fenced in 1876 from Alameda for life for
murder in the second degree, was recon-
mended for a cOmmutation TO tweDty-Dlne
and half years, which will give him free
dom in three months If the Governor acts
favorably.
All Chung. Chinese murderer, was rec
IDn6Ducu 10 CDiud, dS buC Sul-
nese Consul paid his passage.
Director Ivory moved that the aban-
doned old hospital building be fitted up
with thirty hunks for old and decrepit
prisoners and the motion was adopted.
Director Neff offered resolution that
Directors De Pue. Hayes and Ivory be ap-
pointed 10 investigate the question OF sale
of jute bags and TO decide on reduced
price. The prison has q stock OF $500, GOO
bags and is making $4,000 daily, but there
is no demand. Prompt action will be
taken at special meeting next week in
the Office of Director De Pue.
The monthly bills amounted to S14,213.
A force Of twenty prisoners will be
started at work on the new road between
Tibur0n and oan Rafael this week.
The directors are considering the ques-
tiou of lighting and fuel for San Quentin.
Coal companies have submitted samples
of thirty tons each for tests, and j. w.
Grace & Co. want test of oil for fuel
purposes. The Acme Gas Company wants
10 supply gas machinery and gas at a cost
of 40 cents thousand cubic feet for iliu-
minating. supplying power and fuel. The
present price of gas at the prison is 81 90.
| The whole matter was referred to Director
HAYES and Consulting Engineer Eckert for
an investigation.
Four applications for discharge under
| the parole law were discussed and rejected.
The application Of Peter Derrenbecker,
sent from San Diego for fourteen years for
assault to murder, was taken under ad-
visement. So far seven prisoners have
| been let out on parole and they are giving
every satisfaction.
The prison directors now transact Dusi-
ness in secret. whereas formerly theil
| transactions were public.
!