The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1894-05-03
AN ATTEMPT TO BULLDOzE.
A Sensational Incident in the
Colonel Vinette Case.
A Threatening Telegram Demands
the Release of the Defendants.
Thoo Pinther OF Los Angeles Gsts HIM
self Into Troubis-Attornsy Lucksi
Directed to Declare Himsolr
by the Court.
snerial To the Herald.

Special to the HERALD.
SAN BERNARprNo, May "A decided
sensation transpired in department two
of the superior court. before Judge Otis,
this morning, whan Arthur Vinette and
seven other members of the Industrial
army came up to plead on the charge
OF melting riot. King Il Harmon OF
Los Angeles appeared as counsel for de-
lendants.
Before proceeding to hear the several
plesu, Judge Osis read the following tele-
gram from the bench:
Los ANGELES, CAL, May let.
Judge Superior Court, care Louis Luckel Zone oil
Vinette's attorneys:
Macs meeting 500 citizens. comprising
home guard Industrial army, demand
release OF Arthur Vinette and other
officers held against their constitutional
rights. THEo PENPHER.
Judge Otis was evidently highly in
dignant at the presumptuous terms OF
the dispatch, and characterized the tele-
grsm rs piece Of gross impudence. He
also stated that the matter would receive
close Investigation, and il Mr.. Luckel,
one OF Defendants atternsya. WAS found
TO be o party to it, which he hoped
would not be the Gaze, he would be held
responsible az an officer OF the court.
The Judge then went on to state that the
defendants would have fair trial and
all their constitutional rights would be
protected, but that no attempts to in
timidate the court would be tolerated.
Attorneys Kisg and Harmon, who
we're in court, FASTENED to state they
we're in no way responsible for the tele-
gram, and that they deprecated 1t and
disapprovsd OF it and considered 1t q
gross insult to the court. They aiso
stated that they had had disagree
men, with Attorney Luckel In relation
to the line of deiente, aad that this tel
egrsm was one of the things that was
suggested and disapproved, but they
supposed the telegram was to DO ad-
dressed to the district attorney, and not
TO thu court. They ststsc further they
would not proceed further in the case as
associates OF Attorney Luckel, and that
the defendants would have to decide
whether to retain them or Luckel as
counsel.
The defendant thsreupen decided to
retain King and Harmon and discwn the
authority OF Luckel, Cook being the only
defendant who heeitated in making the
choice.
The defendants then pleaded not
guilty and demanded separate trials.
Colonel" Vinette's case was set down
for trial May IL, and 8 venire OF 20
Jurors was ordered drawn.
The judge then placed the telegram IN
the hands of the district attorney and
b;,,o 20 a~ap,ina tha altar
thoroughly, and if warranted 80 to do to
commence proceedings for contempt OF
| court and GAUGE bench warrant to issue
at once to bring Theodore Pinther be-
| fore the court. IL accordance with the
| instructions the dietrict attorney filed
! the necessary papers this afternoon Tor
contempt proceedings and bench war
rant was issued citing Pin thor to appear
before the court Saturday, May 9th, at
9 q. m. =, to chow cause why he should not
be punished fer contempt OF court.
The information agsinst Vinette and
his comrades Tor attempting to inclte O
riot is substantially as follows:
They are charged with threatening to
use, and actually using. force and vic.
lence, thereby disturbing the public
peace. That the force and violence con.
sisted, among other things, OF Selling
and geing about upon 10 box care,
loaded with psrishable merchandise
consigned to distant points, belonging to
the Southern Pacific Railroad company,
unlawfully and without the consent Of
the owners. That the seizure was made
pursuant to q previous understanding
and preconcerted arrangement for the
purpose OF enforcing their transportation
unlawfully and by intimidation and
threats. That, pursuant to this
understanding, they held possession
OF the train for about II hours
and repeatedly refused to leave oil
deliver up the cara. when requested te
do so by the representatives. OF the own
ers and the officers of San Bernardinc
county, and refused to permit the train
to proceed on its way unless they were
allowed to remain and ride thereon
That these acte were committed in q
pcpuloue community with loud noisei
and in a tumultuous and threatening
manner, attracting large nuabers o.
people, ohstructing the public highways
impeding railroad traffic and causing
great excitement and fear. That al.
these acts of violence and threatened
violence were committed by these de-
PENDANTS in violation OF law.