The record-union., 1894-01-17
SLAVERY DAYS AGAIN
The Remarkable Case of Thompson VS..
CrOftOu.

The Remarkable Case of Thompson VS..
Crofton.
W. J. Thompson is skilled timer and
metal worker in this city. He is also a
colored man. John Crofton is wealthy
agriculturist and orchardist down river.
He is a prominent citizen, but has the
reputation of being overbearing and diff
cult to get along with.
Crofton was building last summer a
fine residence near Trask's landing.
Among others employed on the structure
was Thompson, who was to put IN steam
pipes, heating registers, etc.
When Thompson came to deliver one
of the registers it was a japanned one,
which Crofton declined to receive; he
wanted bronze registers. Thompson
agreed to make the change and take the
japanned heat radiator back to Sacra-
mento.
When he came 10 leave on a certain day
to come to Sacramento, his work being
complete, except the placing OF the regis
ters, he shouldered the japanned one and
took it to the steamer landing. This was
late in the afternoon.
While at the landing two men come to
Thompson and told him TO look out for
Crotton, as he was after him. Thompson
did not know what for, he says, but he
was anxious to get home, as his wife was
sick and near confinement and he feared
Crofton besides. So he left the landing,
and thought to catch another steamer at
another point on the river, but failed.
On his return to the landing, it being
then night, he saw Crofton and son pass
ing in buggy, and he hid in the bushes,
aud heard the old man say to the son that
he'd catch the ---- yet. When
Thompson did reach the landing Crofton
came upon him, prevented him by force
from going on the boat, and being armed
drove him to his (Crotton's) house, it be-
ing then midnight, and there stood guard
over him until far into the night.
Crotton then called his son, gave him q
pistol, and told him to stand guard over
the man, and il need be TO chain him to a
tree. Young Crofton stood guard as or
dered. 1t was cool night, and Thomp-
son was in thin clothing and suffered in
consequence. During all the time he
begged to be released, told of his wife S
illness, and even urged that if allowed to
go he would return. But his request was
denied, and with abusive language.
The next morning CrOiton senior re-
sumed guard, Offering, however, to take
his prisoner TO his house to get breakfast,
but charging him all the time with steal
ing his register and not doing his work
properly That day Crofton kept his
him to work on some tin work where
holes were found that Thompson de-
clared was no fault of his, but Of other
workmen.
Finally, shortly after noon, Thompson
managed TO escape and ran through the
orchard to the landing, where Mr.. Trask
ferried him over the river to escape from
CrOfton's search.
When Trask returned, Crofton came to
the landing in haste, with his coat COW
cred with cobwebs, and asked whore his
coon was, saying that he had kept him
all night and the day, but that he mad
finally escaped, and tthat he had been
looking for him. Trask says he made
Crofton an evasive answer.
Thompson, after spell ofsickness from
his fright and exposure, brought suit for
damages against CrOfton, and the case
was tried before Judge Catlin this week
and concluded yesterday, a. {. Hinkson
appearing for Thompson and Grove l..
johnson for Crofton.
The statement we have briefly made is
the substance of the claim of Thompson
and the testimony given in his behalf.
For the defendant CrOfton denial was
made of Thompson's claim. 1t was set
up that he was simply requiring Thomp-
son TO do the work that he agreed to; that
there was no arrest and no deprivation OF
liberty; that Thompson could have gone
at any time.
The son testified that on the night in
question ne heard his father calling him.
He got up and went out and found his
father and Thompson standing about six
teen feet apart. Johnson asked witness
to intercede with his father not to arrest
him and he would do the work, and told
witness father to go to bed and he would
do the work.
His father handed witness pistol and
fol1 hin, RI fFbonT,SoD cfax- b;S
house till morning. Thompson went
with witness to his house, and when he
hesitate about coming in, witness told
him TO come in and he would build fire.
Thompson stayed, with him aud went
with MIN next morning TO his father 5
house and back again. Thompson
then got a broom from witness and
went to sweeping Oft the roof of the
new house. THOMPSON lay down on the
floor with pillow that night. and Wit
ness sat up in a chair. When witness
came out, his father said the only way TO
hold such q slippery econ was to chain
him TO tree. He only heard him call
Thompson a black - once.
A. Il. Chase testified that about l
o'clock on the morning of August ;, 1893,
he was awake in bed and heard Crofton,
Sr. call for his son I'd. several times, ana
in few minutes Ed. came out. Thomp-
son was standing by large oak tree and
as Ed. approached Croiton said to mis-
son, Where is that log chain and pad
lock? 1 want TO chain this fellow TO a
tree"
Chase testified that he heard Thonp-
son say toi Crottou, -Sr., s''4o go home
and 60 to bed: l viii stay here until
morning and finish up the work"
Crofton replied: Il have no confidence
in you. You slipped me once and / am
going to see you do that work"
On cross-examination the witness
testified that Crofton talked very loud
and appeared to be angry.
Crofton, Jr., testified that he KEPT