The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-04-01
IN MADERA'S JAIL.
Desperate Lawson Made
Captive in the Noun
tainS.
TAKEN BY SURPRISE.
IN BY SURPRISE.
Loses His Freedom While
StiIIing the Pangs of
Hunger.
THE END OF A LONG CHASE.
For Many Weeks the Fugitive Had
Boldly Defied and Eluded
the Officers.

MADEIRA, Gail, March 31.-James Law
son, desperate, who has for the past two
months terrorized the inhabitants of the
foothills in the vicinity of North Fork, in
this county, was captured last night by the
Hamilton brothers, who have been on the
lookout for him ever since he escaped
from the Jail here.
The last time that Lawson was seen was
at Reedley, when Constable Street chased
him across the Kings River, after firing
several ineffective shots at him while the
fugitive was swimming the river and laugh
ing at his pursuer. After this incident
Lawson was seen no more in the vicinity
of Reedley, and the presumption was that
he had returned to his old haunts in the
hills. This presumption was correct, and
Mr.. Deater of the MADEIRA Tribune, whose
efforts have heen untiring in the pursuit
of Lawson, sent word up to North Fork
to e. B. Hamilton, whom he had employed
to be on the watch in case Lawson re-
appeared in the hills. The message sent
by Charley Walker, an Indian halfbreed,
was that in all probability Lawson would
soon be back there, as the Fresno officers
had been vigilant in their pursuit and had
found no trace of him.
Three or four days ago Hamilton was
told by some of the Indians that they had
seen Lawson, and that he had been to their
camp for food. This increased the vigilance
of Hamilton, and last night he received
word from Mrs. Noddin that Lawson was
at her house eating supper, and for the
men to come over and capture him if pos
sible. The Hamilton boys took their guns
and horses and arrived at the home of Mrs.
Noddin while Lawson was still partaking
of the first square meal that he has had for
two weeks. Mrs. Noddin heard the men
outside, and, going to the window, gave
| them to understand that Lawson was still
eating, so they quietly surrounded the
house and waited Tor Lawson 10 come out.
| As soon as Lawson had finished his meal
| he went to the door, and as he stepped
over the threshold he looked into the bar
rels of shotgun in the hands of young
Hamilton, who commanded him to throw
up his hands, which he did without hesita-
ton. The other men then proceeded to
bind Lawson, after which they took him
to their home, where he was watched dur
ing the night by two of the men. This
morning he was put in the front seat of
spring wagon, firmly and securely bound,
and with man in the back seat with
loaded shotgun started for MADEIRA, arriy-
ing here at o'clock this afternoon.
Lawson was lodged in jail, where he had
a large Oregon boot fastened to his leg,
which he will probably have to wear till he
is either lodged in the penitentiary or set
free. He appeared sullen and morose and
would converse with no one until ne had
seen Mr.. Rhodes, his attorney, who is at
present in San Francisco. Not long since
Sheriff Westfall, accompanied by Hi
Rapelji, with bloodhounds, made search
in the hills for Lawson, but they were u1l-
successful in finding any trace of him, as
he is supposed at that time to have been
in the southern part of Fresno County.