The morning call., 1895-02-12
OAKLAND GLEANINGS.
Robert Lyle Died in His Own
Home.
FROM PRISON in A LAUNCH.
A Contra Costa Murder Sensation
Recalled.
SEXTON OWES IT ALL 10 PRAYER.
". B. Porter Says That His Wife Wanted
Him to Murder Man-kineaid
Is in Trouble.
SEXTON OWES II ALL 10 PRAYER.

A death notice appeared in the daily pa
pers yesterday to the effect that Robert
LYLE, husband of Mary Lyle, a native of
Scotland, aged 81 years, had died in West
Berkeley.
Behind this simple notice is the sad life
story of broken-hearted man, his ruined
family and sudden and untimely death.
Lyle had only few months ago been
pardoned out of San Quentin prison, where
he was sent in 1883 from Contra Costa
County for killing neighbor, Michael Sui
livan. He had been sent up for twenty
years, but his confinement told on him to
such an extent that he contracted con-
sumption, and from being a robust speci-
men of manhood he was reduced after a
few years to only feeble being.
His good behavior in the prison entitled
him to many credits, and the fact that he
was so very sick awakened the sympathy
of Governor Budd, who had been appealed
to by Lyie's friends, and a pardon was
given him in order that he might die at
home. When the pardon came, two months
ago, Lyle was too sick to be removed from
the prison, and it was not until Saturday
last that an attempt was made to bring the
weakened man to his West Berkeley home
and into loving arms that had patiently
awaited his coming these many years.
A steam launch was procured on Satur-
day last and the sick man placed on board
the intention being to bring him direct from
San Quentin across the bay to West
Berkeley. The trip was accomplished, but
poor Lyle died on his own threshold.
The remains were buried from the resi-
dence of the family, at 407 Jones street
West Berkeley, yesterday. A requiem
mass was celebrated at the little Catholic
church in Berkeley for the repose of the
soul of the dead.
The crime for which Lyle was sent to
prison is only remembered now by the
older inhabitants of Oakland, and has
slipped the memory even of many of
these.
At the time, however, the affair created
considerable of a sensation. Although the
crime was committed in Contra Costa
County it was so near the line that at first
it was thought that it was an Alameda
County case and Alameda's then Sheriff,
Jerry Tyrrel, and John league, now a
detective, went to the scene to arrest Lyle.
They afterward worked up considerable
evidence that was used in the trial against
him.
Lyle lived Just the other side of the Ala
media County line in the Contra Costa
hills, near San Pablo Creek, where he had
stock ranch. He was a peaceable and
quiet family man with a pleasant home, a
loving wife and several beautiful children
Adjoining his place was the stock ranch of
his nearest neighbor, Michael Sullivan,
also a man of domestic habits and with an
interesting family.
The two men had some little difficulty
over the poaching OF stock, which finally de-
veloped into an open rupture and bad
blood between them. Lyle was inclined to
drink a little at times, and once when in
his cups was heard to say something about
his neighbor Sullivan. which was con-
strued into a threat, and, being treasured
up against him, it was used afterward in
his trial.
But matters went from bad to worse,
and day came at last March %, 1881,
when the dead body of Sullivan was found
beside the road in the hills between the
two ranchhouses. The body was riddled
with buckshot. Some one had awaited be-
hind bush as he drove by and then fired
into his back. Death was supposed to
have been instantaneous.
The finding of the body of the murdered
man created a sensation in two counties.
Because of the bad feeling that existed be-
tween Lyle and Sullivan the finger of
suspicion pointed toward the former.
Lyle was arrested and taken to Mar
tinez, at which place he was tried three
times. The case was stubbornly fought on
both sides, w. w. Foote and A. A Moore
appearing for Lyle. Twice disagree
ment of the jury was secured, and the case
was looking hopeful for Lyle, who had a
strong circumstantial case against him,
but on the third trial he was convicted and
sent to San Quentin for twenty years.
Christian on the Jury.
IL is a good thing for John E. Sexton,
who was on trial for forgery in Judge
Ellsworth's court last week, that Juror
o. A. Lane was a Christian man and was
guided by the Lord to bring in a verdict of
not guilty.
There were eleven jurors who were not
guided, but Lane hung out to the last and
the jury could not agree.
In speaking of the case yesterday Mr..
Lane said: dIt is mistake that prayed
in the jury-room,. but | am a Christian
man and believe in the guidance of the
Holy Spirit. l also believe that l was
directed by the heavenly Father to hold
out for the verdict of not guilty.
II do not think that the Identification of
Sexton was complete enough to warrant a
conviction"
Judge Ellsworth has denied the motion
for reduction of bail to $1,000 and the case
was set for trial February 26.
An Order Rescinded.
At the meeting last night of the City
Council Councilman Towle introduced the
following resolution, which was adopted:
That resolution No $780, authorizing the
Board of Public Works TO direct the Superin-
tendent of Streets to have garbage dumped on
the lines of Twenty-second and Twenty-third
streets west of Peralta, be and the same is here
by rescinded.
Mr.. Towle said he had no desire to see the |
Council sleep in the bastile, and as threats |
had been made that warrants of arrest |
would be served on the members if dump |
ing in the marshes was continued he intro |
duced the resolution to keep his fellows |
out of Jail.
She Fooled Him.
NJ. L. Power of 110S Market street was
arrested and locked up in the City Prison |
yesterday on charge of failure to provide, |
preferred by his wife.
Mrs. Power says that her husband has |
contributed nothing to the support of the |
family for the past eighteen months, and |
has been working in Stanislaus County at |
good wages. Mrs. Power sent her husband |
a telegram requesting him to return, as |
their boy was sick, and when he reached |
Oakland he was placed under arrest.
The Acme Entertainment.
The Acme entertainment at the Macdon- |
ough Theater last night was success in |