The record-union., 1894-05-14
PEOPLE OF ROCKLIN COVBD.
They Were Afraid to Testify at the
Paisley Inquest.
What Prominent Citizens say-smith's
Army to Await the Result OF
Fleckenstein's Examination.

lence and possibly more bloodshed at
Rocklin or It's vicinity.
Smiths army is still encamped IN the
outskirts of that town, and the men say
they will not move on until they know
whether or not Constable Fleckenstein is
to be held 10 answer on charge of homi-
eide or murder.
If on his examination he should be dis
charged-as of course he ought to be-
then what would Colonel Smith and
his followers do about it?
Perhaps they would murder Flecken-
stein. What other motive can they have
in declaring that they will wait until he
has had hearing before a magistrate?
They have already intimidated the
neighborhood of Rocklin, with the result
that at the inquest on the body Of ". ;.
Paisley, the man VINO was killed on Fri
day morning last by Constable Flecken-
stein of Rocklin, no testimony was
offered by the latter. After hearing the
testimony ofa lew persons who were IN
sympathy with the mob element that as
saulted the officer while in the discharge
of his duty, the jury found that the
shooting ''was without just cause or
provocation."
EleckensLein was of course not present,
for prudential reasons, it being deemed
best by his friends to allow the merits or
the case to come up at the examination.
One man called at this Office on Satur-
day who witnessed the attempt to mob
the officer, and said he would have
volunteered his testimony at the inquest
If he were not certain IL would have been
unsafe for him 10 have done so, tor he
would have shown that the Constable
acted purely in self-defense.
WHAT JUSTICE DoANE SAYS.
1t looks very much as if the people of
Rocklin have been completely cowed by
the presence of Smiths army OF men,
Judging from what is said by several who
have visited this city in the last two days.
S. p. Doane, Justice of the Peace at
Rocklin, yesterday made statement of
the shooting to which he was an eye wit
ness. He was unwilling to talk, saying
that he had brought his daughter, who
was sick and whose nerves were shat
tered by the occurrence, to this city to
get her away from the spot.
81 do not want TO make any state
ment," said he, but l shall certainly
tell the truth in justice to Constable
Eleckenstein. / take no interest in him
more than in any other citizen who is un-
justly assailed. He is almost an entire
stranger TO me. 1t has been the chronic
complaint OF citizens OF Rocklin that a
NOuSldOlS COQlQ lOb D0 SlOCbOQ tl4cAC W AO
would do his duty in keeping the rough
element in subjection, but since Fleck-
enstein's election he has shown that he
will perform his duty. He is therefore
hated by the tough element. They would
like to see him convicted on this charge.
There are number of reputable citizens,
however, who witnessed the affair and
can testify in his behalf al the proper
time.
Il think some of the papers have been
unjust to him in taking the statements of
Colonel Smith and other interested par
ties and giving only their side OF the
question. l am believer in fair play TO
all.
'.Mr. Wardell, the railroad agent. ap-
piled to me for a warrant for the arrest of
the engineer in charge of the captured
train, and although | doubted the eX-
pediency of so doing, when there were
not sufficient means OF enforcing it, | had
simply to do my duty and issue it. l
went down to Fleckensteins house and
instructed him to serve the warrant.
"Wardell and myself had agreed that
the engineer should be brought to my
court and be released on his own recog-
nizance until things had cooled down and
reason prevailed. The man made no re-
sistance when arrested. and walked
quietly beside the officer.
when they got to the Postoffice, and
NSLS dOOuC 6lSHly 166L from lily OIIICG,
the crowd became threatening. Eleck-
enstein told them to stand back, as there
was no occasion for any trouble. l got
between him and the main crowd and at
tempted TO induce them to listen 10 ME.
L tried TO tell them of the agreement be-
tween Mr.. Wardell and myself, but
could not get them TO listen.
They showed me aside, and about fif-
teen ofthe worst OF them attacked Fleck-
enstein. As his prisoner was walking
quietly beside him, it did not seem that
their object was so much to release him
as 1t was to kill or disable the Constable.
II they had got him down under their
feet he would certainly have been killed.
AS it was, they choked him till his face
was as black as your coat.
HE struggled and got loose from them,
and, raising his pistol, fired. Several
citizens state that Paisley was the last
man to loose hold of him. Paisley made
three or four steps and fell.
81 see that Colonel Smith states that
when Fleckenstein raised his pistol he
(Smitn) Jumped aside. This is not true.
Smith was not within a hundred feet OF
the spot when the shot was fired. When
the arrest was made he was at the rear
end of the train, about 800 feet away. He
came toward the crowd to see what was
the matter. After Paisley was shot he
came running up and wanted to see the
BODY.
Il want right here, however, to give
Smith the credit OF restraining his men,
for he did all in his power to keep them
within bounds and save Fleckenstein
from the effects of their rage"
In answer to question as to whether
1t was his Wife or daughter who so cour-
ageously faced the infuriated mob and
did her best to protect Eaeckenstein, he
said they both did so, and that Mrs. Stat
ford, wife OF the merchant, also stepped
boldly forward to aid them.
All that the best citizens of Rocklin
ask IN this unfortunate affair."" he said,
lis that the people will not pass judg-
ment on one-sided statements, but will
wait till both sides are given a fair hear
ing. Fleekenstein's record as peaceable
man is good, and he is well liked by the
better class OF citizens of RockIin.
1he only testimony introduced at the
inquest was that of members of the
army, and 1t represented their senti-
lnents. 1t was deemed useless to intro
duce testimony IN the officers favor, as
the whole community is cowed by the
army
Justice Doane said, in conclusion. that
he did not think an unbiased verdict
could have been secured, for people will
be influenced by such circumstances in
spite OF themselves.
Justice Doane is an old citizen of Sacra-
mento aud well known 10 all the old
timers. He was with Treadwell d Co. fol
twenty-five years, when they conducted
an agricultural implement warehouse
here number of years ago.
Justice Doane also states that State Ii
brarian Dana Perkins was also an eve.
witness to the affair, and ccrroborates the
statement OF Fleckenstein.
WHAT SHERIFF coNRoY SAYS.
Sheriff Conroy came down from, An
burn yesterday afternoon to take Fleck
ensteln up, MS examination having been