The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-11-22
THE COvELO MURDERS
A Protest Received From
Friends of George E.
White.
DENY ALL ACCUSATIONS.
The Littlefeld Outrage Not
Particularly Dealt
With.
PRESSURE BROUGHT TO BEAR.
The Cattle King Characterizes "The
Calls" Expose as absurd"
and "Slanderous."
PRESSURE BROUGHT TO BEAR

Some time ago THE CALL published re-
port of the lynching of Jack Littletield in
Round Valley in this State. The cir
cumstances were of an unusual nature,
and Investigations made by representa-
tiveS of this journal indicated the existence
of an organized band of desperadoes in the
mountains adjacent to Round Valley. 1t
was difficult TO fix the responsibility in all
the unlawful occurrences that have marred
the history of that part of the State, yet
some of the dastardly deeds that have been
done in the dark were brought to light.
So far as the statements heretofore pub
lished in THE CALL are concerned no ex-
PLANTATION has yet been offered by any one
implicated except by G. E. White, the So
called cattle king. His denial was general,
YET, unsupported as ii was by trustworthy
proof, it could not be accepted as credible
presentation of his side of the controversy.
His own prejudices have been known to
sway him for so long that it was not to be
supposed that he would be entirely un-
biased.
Within the past few days two communi-
cations have been received by THE CALL in
regard to the subject OF the disclosures
made just after the lynching of Jack Lit
tlefeld. These communications do not
deal with the Littletield outrage, but in q
general way touch upon the past history
OF Round Valley, by implication throwing
the blame for all the crimes of the past
upon the shoulders OF cattle-thieves and
others, whose names are not given.
The most impressive document is from
Carter Rohrbough, attorney-at-law, at
Covelo. 1t is altogether typewriter pa
per, the letter transmitting the same be-
ing as follows:
CARTER RoHRBoUGH.
Attorney-at-Law, CoYelo, Cal.
10 the Editor of the San Francisco Cdll-SIR:
I have been requested by numerous parties to
forward to you for publication the inciosed
that you Will publish it. Ii not it will be for
warded to other papers. Respectfully,
CARTER RoHRBoU6H.
Although the protest" contains allega-
tons uniustly rejecting on THE CALLS
representative who visited Round Valley
and obtained from residents there the
particulars that were given to the public
yet the protest is here printed exactly as
written in order that those who wish TO go
on record IN this matter may have an
opportunity to do so. AS THRCALL speaks
for all it cannot be said that these signers
have been denied q hearing, however. dis
courteous they have been in wording their
protest. In fact, some of the signers are
NOT to be held accountable for the senti-
ments there expressed, as from them THE
CALL has obtained some of the facts
heretofore published in these columns.
1t is probable that very few of them would
have written such q diatribe. yet when
urged TO sign it by influential citizens they
have not had the courage to refuse. 1t is a
frequent saying in Round Valley that it is
good policy to follow the old rule, namely.
bnra or AL
act" Following is the document sent by
Mr.. Rohrbough.
1t may be mentioned, in passing, that
the Rohrboughs, who appear TO be plenti
fully sprinkled through the document, are
near relatives of George Z. White, and
that they have never failed to do every
thing in their power TO advance his
material interests.
CoyELo, Cal, October %, 1895.
To the Editor Of the san Francisco Cdll-SIR:
There has appeared in THE CALL issue of the
2oth TO the oath inst. series OF articles pur-
porting TO be a true history of the troubles in
Round Valley. and the issue of the ODD edi-
torially stamps il SIS true statement. We ask
space in your columns TO say more false and
slanderous mass of stuff has never appeared in
the press OF this State than you have published
toJhe world.
You say that you sent special correspondent
up here to get the facts of the matter. If so,
he being stranger 70 these people, why did
Mart Beatchtel, Senator Seawell, J. A. Cooper,
John buckingham and others, who are
known TO be among the best men in the State,
and get the names OF men living here OF
standing and unim peaehable veracity if you
wished 10 get true statement OF the
facts OF the matter? But, no: your reporter
came up here, called on saloon-keeper, who
has only been here short time, and whose
place is the resort OF the parties whom the
good citizens have been trying 10 punish. for
information in regard TO our troubles and his
actions demonstrated far
the truth, but TO forward some Interior pur-
pose which you impute 10 the citizens of
Round Valley. Would the people and stock
men have paid hundreds of dollars out OF their
pockets and spent their time TO benefit one
man? No, sir.
Fifty-nine citizens and ranchers signed
statement, which appeared in the Dispatch OF
Ukiah. which you did not publish; but you at
tempt TO make heroes out OF men who have
committed every crime in the decalogue.
Every attempt that has been made 10 punish
them has been met by the vile ISLANDERS YOU
have Endorsed, and the Ukiah Press has circr-
lated reports that are false about this sec
ton and which they knew 70 be false, and thew
have upheld the thieves and used every effort
TO break down the prosecution.
/ You well know that there are large stock
ranges in this and adjoining States; lat stock
men have trouble with organized bands of
stockthieveS- Now any man who is we'll &C
quainted with this section and is not either a
liar or a fool will tell you that we have such
band here and sll attempts 10 exterminate
them so far have failed.
We hardly think that You would give SO
mueh space TO misrepresent the truth, and ask
you 10 make an effort 10 get at the truth of the
matter. All we ask is the truth and when an
honest effort is made 10 get at IL we are sure
that you VIII withdraw the statements Won
have made and which have done incslculable
damage TO this section of the State If you wis b
to do Us justice.
Joel Eveland, II. r. Spsulding, justices Of the
Peace; g. W. Cummings, G. R. Redwine con-
stables; j. Ii. Rohrbough, assistant postmas-
ter j. : Redwine, attorney; F. II. Thomson,
David thomson, w. Henley, J. s. Rohrbough,
IAomes B. Henley, stoek-raisers: J. Watten-
berger, supervisor: L. J. Welch, liveryman: o.
A. Dingman, Peter Petore, stock-raisers; A. C.
Perry, butcher; Louis Lobree, merchant: Frank
Hsaek. clerk; c. H. English, B. T. Hall, II. T.
Thomson, James Rife. r. F. Bainbridge.
Thomas Z. Long, Charles Hurt, William II. Grist
stock-raisers; C. II. Brown, manager of United
states sawmill; Fl. NJ. Hall, ]. J. Quarner, farm
ers; J. w. Grist, Joseph Bennett, stoek-raisers:
!. II. Smith, pastor Presbyterian church: T. l.
Young. sehooltescher; Ed Gibson, Lindley Will
Hanson, George o. Grist, P. A. Reuf stock-rais-
ers and farmers P. 3. Westerman, tescher; Dry.
den Laeock, stock-raiser; Perry C. Hall, p X.
O'Ferral, Jacob Updegraff, D. P. English, Will
liam H Card, farmers; John T. Ham, stock
raiser; Charles Z. Brown, farmer; J. G. Garner,
shoemaker.
State of California,
hereby certify that the above is true and
correct copy OF the written matter and the
nsmeS OF persons appended thereto which was
submitted 10 me for inspection so that could
make this Certificate