The herald., 1894-12-16
A Scene of Great Dramatic In
terest in the Superior
Court.
ANOTHER ARREST B SOON.
A Young Man Charged Was Accessory
Before tho Tact-An IntsrvIew
with Johnsou-Other
Notes.

The curtain has dropped on the second
act in the tragedy enacted at Roscoe
whom Fireman Masters and poor Arthur
Daily met an untimely death.
Alvs johnson, one of the principals in
that affair. has saved his neck at the OK
pense OF his conscience and is to spend
the remainder of his days within the
confines OF the state's prison.
Truly did the immortal bard cay that
"Conscience doth make towards OF US
ALL" Since his arrest Johnson has been
haunted by tho memory Of hln miadeeds,
end the forms of tho murdered men
have been constantly before him. His
confession followed in atu al sequence.
But the ways OF the district attorneys
Office are equally devious. From day to
day the time for johnson to plead has
been continued, and unless the law Of
fcers are seriously maligned, there has
been method in this procrastination. II
kid" Thompson would only follow
Johnson's lead what an expense to the
county would be saved. Bu."Kid" has
q mental backbone il Johnson has not.
and plainly and unmistskably he told
the law officers to 60 to thunder; he
didn't propose putting the moose around
his own neck. Whether the course
he has followed is wise or not is open to
question, but he is = believer, evi-
IDENTITY. that Coincidence is q word that
towards use, devised at first to keep the
strong in ave."
One cannot but admire his pluck
while condemnirg his judgment. for
after his companions confession things
look very black for him.
Monday was the day set for receiving
Johnson's plea, but yesterday he was
smuggled into court between IL and l
O'Clock, when usually folks following
the ordinary habits Of their kind are en-.
gagged at luncheon. True, Judge Smith
made some remark to the effect that
Johnson's plea would be received pre-
ferably in the absense OF the trial jurors
for the reason that kid" Thompson
would probably come up in his court for
trial. and he did not wish any statement
Johnson might make to prejudice the
minds OF such jurors. 1t is TO be pre-
sumed, however, that the ordinary Juror
is man OF sense and reads the HERALD.
In which case he must surely see the full
report of oil johnson said. The ways Of
tho district attorneys Office are devious
and past finding out" and why de-
fend2nt should be hustled into court in
an off hour is known only to District At
torney Dillon and his satellites.
When Alva johnson was brought into
court yesterday, he presented . very woe
begone appearance. His wife, who with
womanly devotion has kept close to his
side, had . hard, stony look she had
passed the stage of tears.
District Attorney Dillon opened tho
proceedings.
IF your honor please. this is the time
fixed for receiving the plea of Alva
Johneon," he began as ne rose to his
feet.
VERY good" oheerfully ausented the
court, adding politely stand up, Mr..
Johnson"
Deputy District Attorney Oonklin read
the Information, and the fearful, miser.
able looking prisoner had to make his
plea.
"I'm guilty OF being there and help
ing to rob the train. but I'm not guilty
Of derailing it," said he in q very shaky
voice.
Gen. Johnstone Jones had been ap-
pointed by the court to defend Thomp-
son, but he appeared yesterday and
asked to be excused.
II ace. Mr.. Johnson. yon have no at
torney," said the court, resssuringly.
"Have you any desire for one?"
II don't know as do," replied the
prisoner; ''it can't do me any Qood--all
want is to tell the truth. did want
to speak to Mr.. Trask, for he's been the
only person that's been honest and true
about the whole matter"
"Well, you can exercise your option"
said the court. II understand you want
to plead guilty ?"
With an air as if he wished the whole
thing disposed Of. Johnson replied dss-
perately: "Well, go ahead; Pm not
particular about it,"
! Judge Smith then recited the crime
charged, as set forth in the Information,
and asked if he wished to plead guilty
TO that.
"Yes, sir" came forth from Johnson's
lips. rather feebly.
do you want your sentence now, Mr..
johnson 2" inquired the court. with po-
lite consideration.
"Yes, SIR"
You may be sworn, II you 80 desire,
and tell me just what part you took in
tho hdtb6Is
Deputy District Attorney Conkling
having read over the second informa-
slon' and johnson having entered his
plea OF guilty to that also, he took the
witness stand and made the following
statement regarding the second robbery:
Il LETT here at O'Clock in the after.
noon on February 10th, with Thompson,
and went out by way Of Cahuenga pass.
On the way We left chicken coop un.
der the bridge near there. This We used
later we finally got to Roscoe and
hitched our team close by the track and
built fire and waited for the train.
When it came | signaIed for it to stop.
The engineer slowed down, but didn't
stop, snd was evidently scared. for be
crouched down. instead OF throwing the
lever. The consequence was that when
Thompson threw the switch she ran
through and was wrecked. L then said
30 Thompson, For Gods sake. lei us
leave tEss place. and started towards
u