The record-union., 1894-08-01
DEVOID OF ANY SENSATION.
Another Days Testimony in the
Conspiracy Case.
A MAN NAMED IRWIN. WHO WAS
NEAR THE WRECK
Knox's Expressed Determination Not
TO Allow Even the Mails to be Car
ried = Witness Lesher Denounced
and Called From the stand by the
Prosecution.
From the REooRD-UNIoN' Special Core
spOndent.
Prosecution


VooD1.AND. July 3I.-The taking OF
testimony in the train wrecking case was
resumed this morning. Witness Lesher
was placed on the stand early IN the
morning session. The purpose OF his
testimony was to show that Worden and
other defendants had been guilty of using
incendiary language and of approaching
dangerously near TO the commission OF
unlawful acts in the depot grounds dur
ing the excitement of the strike.
He told his story plausibly, but 1t
seems that he is in the habit OF telling
plausible stories, for when the defense
got him on the rack of cross-examina-
tion it was brought out that he had talked
to several citizens of Woodland about
having a hope of $500 reward ii ne gave
the right kind of evidence in this case.
He tried to straighten out things by say
ing that such statements were merely a
Joke and didn't mean anything, but the
prosecution were incenSed at the man
evident moral obliquity, and recalled
him, and requested the striking out OF
his testimony.
This was granted, much 10 the discom-
future OF Attorney Hart.
a the opening Oh COuEb u ~ 14Oh GIL
one of yesterdays witnesses, made cor
reclion in the published report OF his tes-
tmony by saying that a question regard
ing the attitude of the Citizens Protect
i've Association toward the strike mad not
been asked him.
George y. katzenstein was the first
witness called. He had no personal con-
nection with the strike untn after the
organization of the Citizens Protective
Association. Was President of that asso-
ciation. In his official capacity he met
Knox, Mullin and Compton, who APP
peared before the association. The MedI-
alton Committee appeared before the
association and an interview ensued
which was substantially as set forth in
the minutes read by Mr.. Howell yester-
day.
ANOTHER interview was held between
the Mediation Committee and the Execn-
tive Committee of the Citizens Protective
Association on July 9th. That meeting
was occasioned by the complaint OF Ger
tain business houses that they were being
boycotted. The committee was asked as
10 the truth of the complaint, and Knox
said there was no authority for any such
action. A statement to such effect was
drawn up and publicly promulgated. ln
the course of this conversation Knox was
asked If the strikers would allow mail
trains to run. He replied the the time
had been when mail trains would have
been allowed free passage, but that time
had past-the matter had gone TOO tar. and
they would allow no trains.
4 third interview was held after it was
reported that Debs mad declared the
strike off. Knox was asked as to the re-
port and be said there was no authority
for it-that it was merely a newspaper
lie, He showed witness dispatch from
Debs saving that no reliance was to be
placed in newspaper reports.
In the course OF that interview witness
called the attention of Knox TO the fact
that United States troops would soon ar
rive and the whole matter would be no
longer a question OF civil authority.
Knox replied that for himself he desired
peace. Iniunctions had been served upon
him. and he could do nothing else, but
his men were behind him 1000 strong.
They were beyond control, and would
probably not allow Pullman cars to run
under any circumstances. He also stated
that if il should come to a matter OF
choice between the American Railway
Union and his home, be would stand by
the American Railway Union.
on cross-examination Hart desired TO
know whether the conflict between labor
and capital formed a part Of the conversa-
ton at these interviews. The witness
said that the discussion between labor
and capital probably entered to some eX-
tent into all the interviews. but il did not
form the principal topic at any meeting.
'sWho organized the Citizens' Protec-
tive Association ~
1T was the result of meeting in my
Office. There were present Messrs. Mott,
NicClatchy, Howell and myself The
idea was suggested of calling a public
meeting. aud it was called at Pioneer
Hall on the Sd inst"
WAS there any secrecy about your or
ganization?"
There was never any password. 1t was
merely secret in the sense that only
members were admitted"
How many members are in your or
ganization 2"
about 140."
In answer to searching cross-exam-
ination witness testified thai a committee
of the association went to Colonel Gra-
ham and assured him that the loyal citi-
zens of Sacramento sustained his course.
'Were you aware that the soldiers
were in the habit OF calling citizens -
when they got within the lines ?'
81 was not"
'sWere you aware that women were as
saulted within. the lines ?"
Il was not.'a
..Did you Investigate any of the ru-
mors of outrages ~
mo, sir"
Attorney Hart continued with a long
list OF questions based on supposed overt
acts of the soldiers, but the witness had
not heard of them.
WAS dispatch sent from your associ-
alton to President Cieveland?"
Yes, sir. 1t was sent few days ago."
Ibid il congratulate him on the course
he had taken 2"
at did.r
On redirect examination the witness
stated that the word sent by the sub
committee to Colonel Graham reflected
not only the feeling of the association, but
also the loyal sentiment of Sacramento.
John G. Lesher of Sacramento was the
next witness. On the Sd of July he was
around the depot most of the day. He
saw Worden and Knox there. The train
was being made up. Engineer Sam
Clark was III the engine. Clark remarked
to Werden: ~ on called me a---.' .
Didn't catch Norden's reply, but after
ward heard hlm say: "lf you pub this
train out you are a scab.n Saw Worden
with those who were at work disconnect-
ing the train.
Witness was also at the depot on the
4th of July. Saw Knox and Worden
there that day. Worden made himself
very conspicuous. The soldiers had es-
tablished dead-line. Worden was some
times over the line. The soldiers kent
warning him 10 keep back.
On July 1lth the witness was present
when they were making up the train. a
few minutes before the train pulled out
he crossed the bridge into Washington.
When the train crossed the bridge he was
sitting In front of saloon on the right
hand SIDE of the track. Heard somebody
call Clarke a scab. As the train pro-
cseded west and passed around the first