The herald., 1894-11-03


He was given quite long CROSS
examination by Horace Appel, but
finally gave way to the sensational new
witness.
A long, lsnkymsn, with brorzsd face
Rnd steely blue eyos, walked elowly to
the witness stand when Charles Ftzler's
name was calleI. and was regarded with
much curiosity by the spectators. He
also was very closely watched by Alva
johnson and his wife.
His story was not brought out go
clearly on direct examination as it was
on cross-examina,ion, and he followed
up his general statement with such O
variety OF details, mentioning names
and places, that IL does not seem diff
cult matter to catch him tripping If he
has swerved from the truth.
Etzler, in response to qdeetions, stated
that he was born in Barnesvills, o., in
1862, and has been in California FIVE
years. most OF the time at Bakersfield.
He worked on ranches and as a team
ster. Among the people he worked for
in Bakersfield were Carr & Hagan, Mil.
Ter & Lux and William Smithy. From
his statements he appears to have been
happy -go-lucky fellow, who would save
up money for while and then spend it
ell.
Along the latter part OF August, he
said he decided to come to Los Angeles.
and started with q companion name d
Jake to beat his way on the railroad.
They got along on the blind baggage to
Mojave and there met Jack Thompson.
Etzler had never met him before, but
Jake had, and made the tourists &C
ouain,ed with each other. They were
put az and obliged to walk one day, and
hnail5 reached San Fernando. Before
that, Thompson had become friendly
with Etzler. He told him he had some
money at Alva Johnson's ranch and
struck up partnership with Etzler, no
agreed to 20 with him and get the
money, and then they would decide
what they would do. Etzler says he did
not at this time know that it was stolen
money.
They left Jake at San Fernando, who
continued his journey, and walked from
there to Alva Johnson'e house, which
they reached before daylight. They
went into the hay loft, where they re-.
NAMED until daylight, when Thompson
went to the house. He called Etzler to
come in, and they had breakfast. john
con was not at home and did not arrive
until about 10 O'Clock that night.
Thompson and Eizler went out to W here
he was unhitching HE horses and Etzler
heard johnson ask Thompson why he
had brought stranger 10 the house,
breaking his contract. Thompson told
him Etzler was ell right. He told John
son he was 'busted' and wanted some
of the money. Johnson told him he
would not give him any of the Mexican
dollars; it was too dangerous. and he
had just got through with being in
trouble. He told Thompson he would
give him some gold money and re-
volver, and for him to get to Arizona
and see if they could work off the
money there.
That night they slept in the hsymow,
and at 4 o'clock in the morning started
for town. Thompson stretched out un-
der the seat and Was covered with q
blanket, while Etzler rode with John
son. Etzler said that while at the ranch
train robbery had been talked and
johnson Understood that he was going
in with Thompson. On the road to
town he said johnson told him how the
Roscoe robbery was done.
According to JohnsoE's o statement, he
and Thompson, after they had the en-
gineer, tried to make him set off the
dynamite bomb. They had it fixed in
can and put the can on the doorsill.
The engineer lighted two matches, but
they went out, and johnson touched it
OH himself. They climbed in and John
son tired down the train from each side
OF the car, while Thompson got the
money. Then they made the engine
and messenger carry the money to the
wegon.
E'zler says johnson also told him
that they then drove for home, but did
not tell him the route; that on tae way
they we're stopped by officers. But
thrre was chicken coop in the wagon
covered up. and one OF the officers said
it was milk wagon and thew went on.
Eizler continued the story of the
journey. He said Thompson got out
before they reached the city and be
went on with johnson to the corral on