The morning call., 1894-05-20
NEATLY CAUGHT.
A COuntryman Arrested
on Suspicion.
He Is Supposed to Have Robbed a
Stage Near Angels Camp-As-
SertS His Innocence.

An exceedingly tail man wearing very
broad hat and the general garb of
labOrer was standing at Post and Stockton
streets yesterday about noon watching the
forming of procession when he was ac-
costed by much smaller man, who pro-
ceeded to engage him in conversation.
The subject which the smaller man
preached seemed of considerable interest
to the tall stranger, for he listened atten-
lively and was anxious to learn more of it.
In little while the men walked down.
town together and when they had reached
Jessie street. near New Montgomery, the
tall man was informed by his new friend
that he was under arrest.
Detective T. r. Mills. acting for Wells.
Fargo & Co.. had been looking for the man
who robbed the stages running from Mil
ton to Angels Camp and Sonora recently,
and thinking that he had found him took
the method ind Gated to get him near the
company's office before declaring his
business. BE had told the man he was
"crook" and was looking for an oppOr-
tunity to commit crime.
The prisoner was taken to the office of
Detective Hume in the Wells Fargo build
ing, where he said his name was John
Kelly, and that he was innocent of any
offeDse against the treasures of the COM
pany.
Detectives Thacker and Hume subjected
him to rigid croSs-eXamination, but Kelly
shook their belief in lis guilt bv stOutly
maintaining that he had been in San Fran
cisco ever since last March aud could not
therefore nave committed the Calaveras
rObberies. He said if the officers would
accompany HIM he would take them to
people who would convince them of the
truth of his statements.
There were Two things that were against
Kelly, though.
His personal peculiarities. which are
very marked. are precisely the same as
those of the man who did 'hold up" the
stage between Milton and Sonora on the
I'd of May. The other hurtful circum-
stance was that in the course of his con-
versation he let fall little bits of the YER
nacnlar Of thieves and practically admit
ted that he knew of certain crimes of
which the officers would like TO know
more.
1t was deemed best to hold him. Po-
liceman Clifford was called in and Kelly
was taken to the new City Prison. where
he was registered on the small book" for
detention.
He took his arrest with very bad grace
and swOre that he would like to see the
police prove that he committed the offsnses
with which they had charged him.
He admitted that he had been employed
in the mines at Angels Camp, and that be
had been discharged by the superlntend-
ent because that gentleman did not like
him.
81 bad several fights up there" he said,
sand didn't get along WE'LL so they told
me / could 90. | left Angels and walked
with a companion to Milton. where we
camped out one night. The next day we
took the train to Stockton, and l came on
here expecting to find work. l have
worked along the docks, and l have been
on the Barbary Coast every night since
then. Officer Conboy and other policemen
know that and can prove by one woman,
by saloon-keepers and lOdging-house peo-
pie that | have been in San Francisco ever
since March. l couldn't very well have
robbed stages in Calaveras County in May
without being missed here by people /
have seen every day."
Kelly says he is willing to 60 to Milton
or anywhere else to face any charge that
may be brought against him.
: Detective Hume says that at Angels
Camp there is a note which the robber
pinned TO one of the mail pouches after he
had robbed the Stage. 1t read:
Some advice to Mr.. Barr and other good
detectives beside. 1t is TO let me 70 b the
stage and let your notions slide. Mr.
Whiting"
The note will be brought to this city and
compared with the handwriting of Kelly,