The record-union., 1894-04-30
After Their Long and Wearbone
March From Walnut Grove.
Colonel Innan Of the Local Army Under Ar
rest in the City Jail for Vagraney.
His Name is Carpenter, and He Has Just Served His
Fourth Term In the State PrlSOn-HE Men
Refuse to Affiliate With the
Others.

The local Industrial Army has received
a severe shock in the arrest of its leader,
Colonel Inman, for vagrancy.
And the worst of it is, his name is not
Inman at all, but Van r. Carpenter, a
man who has but just completed his
fourth term III the State Prison, two OF
them at San Quentin, and two at Folsom.
The information on which Chief Drew
acted was received Saturday night from
Warden Aull, who informed him that an
officer of the prison had recognized in
"Colonel Inman" eX-convict Carpenter.
The Warden told Chief Drew of certain
bodymarks borne by Carpenter, and sug-
gested that he examine Inman and see if
the statement that he and Carpenter were
one and the same person would not be
verified.
Captain Greene went out to the camp of
the Industrials in Suffers Fort and told
Colonel Inman that Chief Drew desired
to see him at his Office, and the Colonel
went there at once.
ST have an unpleasant duty to perform,
Colonel Inman," said Chief Drew, when
they were alone. "Please remove your
coat and bare your arms"
Inrnan turned pale, then his face
flushed, and he looked at Chief Drew
with an air of astonishment, but he COM
piled with the latter's command.
Sure enough, there was the tell-tale
anchor tattoOed on his arm, just as War
den Aull had described it.
AREN'T you just out of the peniten-
tiary,' asked the Chief, land haven't you
served four terms for various crimes?"
I,,.e Il tod 2 hate hrN,aS hn ao1
what were you sent up foF?" asked
the Chief.
"Well," replied Inman, "while drunk
/ stole horse and buggy. and l was
asleep when they caught me and didn't
know what had DONE"
Chief Drew-What were you sent up
for the next time?
Inman-W Well, stole another horse and
buggy while drunk, and this time also l
was asleep when arrested.
Chief Drew-And the next time?
Innan-The last time | was arrested
and sentenced for forgery. l served my
time, and now would like to know what
am here for.
Chief Drew-You are under arrest.
InInan-What for?
Chief Drew-For vagrancy. You have
been in this city some two weeks doing
nothing for a livelihood, and l under
stand you joined this so-called army as
soon as you gothere from Folsom, assum-
ing different name from your right one.
Inman then asked to be permitted to
return to the fort and resign his COM
mand, but Chief Drew thought he had
better remain at the Police Station.
He was then searched, and on his per-
son were found revolver and so in
money. He said the money belonged to
the army fund contributed by citizens for
the relief OF the men.
In conversation with RECORD UNION
reporter last evening Lieutenant Colonel
Drummond said that but few of the men
at the fort were aware of Inman's arrest,
but the matter will be fully explained to
them this morning. The men will then
be asked TO voice their sentiments re-
garding the future Of the regiment.
INMAN's STATEMENT.
Last evening Inman prepared the fol-
lowing statement for publication:
"Now that the fact of my arrest is about
to be known to the public. l feel it duty
owe to those who were under my COM
mand to explain how 1, an ex-convict,
came to be chosen Colonel of the In
dustrial Army. First, no one knew who
or what was, as there is not an eX-con-
vict in the ranks. l came here from Fol-
som on April 10th and joined the army
on the 18th. In order to get home and
out of the State, / Joined Major Williams
pointed Camp Correspondent, and did
what could to further the interests of
the regiment.
ION or about the 2lst the men became
dissatisfied with Major Williams and be
resigned and 1 was chosen Colonel. 1
fully realized the desperate chances | was
taking in this matter, but | thought that
/ might be able to take them out of the
city before l was recognized. AT all
events, l started an account system, so
that neither nor any OF my men could
handle any money, unless by consent of
all / did this to show that l had no in
tentions OF making money out OF the
movement.
II have conducted myself in manner
that was intended TO prove that l had re-
formed. Never have | entered saloon
10 drink since | was chosen commander.
/ have expected to be recognized every
day, butI thought my conduct would en-
title me 10 the mercy of ali fair-minded
citizens. l have had heart and soul in
this matter and have worked day and
night
NOW, in regard to my penal servi-
tude: The statement is true that l have
been sent to prison four times, but out OF
Justice to myself and friends, l wish to
explain how and why | was sent there.
l came to this coast in 1854 Soon after L
commenced to dissipate. and one day
while drunk ! drove of with buggy be-
longing 10 neighbor in Ventura. l was
crazed by liquor. drove some distance,
and when l commenced TO realize the
enormity of my joke l stopped, unhitched
the team, and went 70 sleep under the
buggy, and was there found by the
Sheriff, who advised me to plead guilty,
which l did, and for which / received
two years, but was soon after pardoned.
Il then left the coast for few months,
but owing to i'll health came back. Soon
after l was again arrested for grand lar
ceny, in this manner: l was working for
Miller Il Lux at Gilroy. l went into
town and drank too much whisky, and
while drunk l hired a horse and buggy
to 60 TO the ranch, but instead / went
in another direction, and was found
under q tree, the horse unhitched and
drunk. / was arrested, pleaded guilty
on account of prior conviction, and was
given one year.
After doing the year I went to Brazil
and stopped there for long time, and
then came back to California I again
went to work near San Jose, and one day
/ came into town after paint. The man
whom / was with was drinking hard, and
so was /. / bought the paint and put it
in the wagon and then started ont 10 see
the city. Some time during the night
got back to the wagon, united the horse,
and started for home. / was found in an
other direction, lying on the side of the
road, and the horse and wagon some two
or three miles farther on. For this re-
ceiyed one year, as | dared not stand trial
on account OF the prior convictions.
0Tha last and foi1rth titr1a was in (tontra