The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-09-21
HOW NARAMORE DIED.
Horrible Confession Made by
a Mexican Boy Who Saw
the Murder.
KILLED FOR a PALTRY SUM
The Death Of the Real Estate Agent
Had Been Planned Months
Before.

RIVERSIDE, CAL, Sept. 20.-This was
day of sensations in the trial OF John
Cummings, charged with the brutal MUIR
der of T. G. Naramore. the Los Angeles
real-estate dealer. on August 8. The crime
lost none of its terrible features by the
story of Juan Lopez, witness for the
State, and who was with the Cummings
brothers when old man Naramore was
done to his death for paltry $500. Since
the murder the Sheriff's Office has been
diligent in the effort to secure evidence
against the Cummings boys. That given
by Lopez to-day shows case cleverly
worked up.
When the case was called to-day the
courtroom was crowded to suffocation, but
none except the officers had any idea that
the evidence would be of such a sensa-
tional character. 1t proved the revelation
of brutal crime that shocked every one
in the room. John Cummings, the defend
ant, sat through the ordeal with stolid
indifference, not giving outward signs that
he had any consideration for the evidence,
which will beyond doubt send him to the
gallows as well as his brother, who partici-
pated in the crime. The proceedings dur
ing the trial, until Lopez was put on the
stand, were uninteresting, but when the
latter began his story there was the great
est interest shown.
Lopez is young Mexican about 20 years
of age who worked on the Cummings
ranch. His story was that he went to
work for the Cummings brothers on May
10 last The day after his arrival at the
ranch the Cummings boys spoke of plan
to kill and rob Naramore when the latter
came to collect rent for the ranch. which
belonged to Naramore. The plan was I'M
folded to Lopez by the defendant and he
was asked to take part. The proposed
robbery and murder of Naramore was dis
cussed by the three men several times
afterward. Finally Cesar Cummings and
Lopez were sent to San Bernardino to pro-
cure pistol and linen buster to be used in
committing the crime. They went as
directed and when they returned the next
day Naramore was there.
1t had been arranged that Cesar Cum
mings and Lopez were to pretend to leave
for Riverside just after the money had
been paid to Naramore, but instead they
were to go to the barn and donning the
| busters and masks provided return to the
| house.
| When Caesar ordered Naramore to throw
up his hands the latter laughed and told
them to "quit their fooling," whereupon
Caesar hit him with club on the arm
| breaking it. Then he struck him on the
head, knocking him down. After Nara.
more was down Cummings pounded him
with the club. He then placed one foot on
the PROSTATE mans neck and called Lopez
to help him. Lopez refused, but John
| Cummings took hand. beating Naramore
| into insensibility with a pistol. Then the
men robbed Naramore, taking the $500
| paid him earlier in the evening.
John Cummings was tied to bear out
the story of robbery. and Cesar and Lopez
| then started for this city. They returned
home about 2 A. NJ. and found Naramore
dead. After untying John they attempted
to bury the body of Naramore, but finally
| decided to notify the authorities. The
masks and busters were burned, the
money and watch of the victim buried,
and the story of the midnight robbery con-
cocted to clear themselves.
Lopez told where and how the money
and DISCUSSES were disposed of, and they
| were found by the Sheriff. A bloody club,
| revolver and ropes, used in killing and ty-
ing Naramore, were exhibited. Lopez was
forced to take part in the affair and COM
PEELED to keep the story secret under