The herald., 1895-09-21
EVIDENCE MOST DAMh|NG
A Witness Tells How Naramore
Was Murdered
JNO. CUMMINGS FATAL BLOW
The Murder Was Carefully Planned and
Executed
JNO. CUMMINGS FATAL BLOW
Lopez, the Mexican Accomplish. Turned States
Evidence and Goes Into Details
Cummings Not Uneasy

RIVERSIDE. Sept. 2o.-Every detail uf
the horrible murder OF Mr.. Narramore
was rehearsed on the witness stand by
the man who saw it all and even took u
hand in the affair, the Mexican, Juan Lo-
PEE. whom the state depends upon to
give. testimony which.will hang the Cum
mings brothers. He is the star witness
of the state and has been zealously
guarded since his arrest to prevent any
one conversing with him. 1t has been
known all along that the sheriff's Office
was in possession of some startling evil
dcnce that very few knew. The attorneys
for the defense were not among the
chosen few, and consequently were as
much surprised as any of the outsiders.
Lopez detailed every movement from the
time he went to work for the Cummings
brothers on Narramore's ranch &C Pigeon
pass, May 10th, up to the night OF the
murder. He started with the morning
after he went to work for the Cummings
boys, telling how they made a proposal
to himsto assist them in robbins Nara
more; how the matter was discussed two
or three times a week for weeks and
weeks; he related incidents of the life at
the Narramore ranch and the trip to San
Bernardino to purchase revolver and
linen busters to be used in robbing the
old man, and wound up with the ID ove-
ments OF the trio on the fatal night of
August Sd. The story of the murder. was
recited in detail and in the most matter
of-fact way imaginable. 1t was not dra-
maticaly told the answers at times were
scarcely ineligible. but the recital held
everyone spellbound. Lopez testified as
follows: "Mi. Narramors came to the
ranch to collect his rent June 23d or oath.
1 don't remember the exact date, and this
Cummings boys told him they had no
money but for him to come again on Au-
gust ID. John and Caesar and 1 went
to San Bernardino August LIST. John
bought rope to tie the old man with
and put it in my wagon. We had three
wagons with us.
"On the way home Caesar bought knife
at Cotton to cut the rope with. John re-
turned to the ranch first. When he got
there Narramore was there. On the way
home the question was asked: what
about paying Narramore?" and Caesar
said: "Betterwait till Monday" Nara
more asked for his money and John said
they had lost check for S25 on the way
home. Narramore said he would have to
wait, but asked them to get $50 for him ia
Riverside the next day. John and Nara
more went to Riverside next day and /
and Caesar stayed at the ranch. The two
brothers and bad conversation Friday
evening and Caesar asked John If he was
going to paw the old man $50. John said
not till Monday, as he didn't want the
old man to get away with 1t. John told
Caesar to go to San Bernardino the next
day and get gun and two linen busters,
also to get the check cashed, which had
been found. They wanted the clusters to
disguise themselves when they held up
the old man. Caesar and l went to San
Bernardino next day and got the check
cashed. After dinner we bought a new
gun and some busters and then went
home.'
Continuing, the witness said that after
they returned and paid the old man
Caesar and he left. Caesar ostensibly for
FL Monte. but they went to the barn and
put on the linen busters. and then re-
turned to the house, and Caesar told
Narramore TO throw up his hands, while
Lopez told John Cummings to do the
same. Narramore showed a disposition to
draw gun. Caesar hit him with a club
on the arm, following it up with blow
on the head, which Knocked him down.
Caesar then put his foot on the PROSTATE
mans neck. but was unable to hold him.
so he called Lopez to help him. The
latter refused. whereupon John came to
the rescue and struck Narramore with
pistol. which blow probably killed him.
Caesar and Johnsthsn rolled Narramore
over, and after ritling his pockets, taking
money, watch and papers. tied him hand
ard foot. Caesar and Lopez then tied
John according to the plan and then left
the house. They then left for the city,
burning the busters and masks on the
way. They also buried the money and
watch. After loatng about the city until
/ a. m. they went home again. After
releasing John they again came to town
10 notify the officers of the robbery.
Lopez testified that Caesar Cummings
wanted to bury the body, to which plan
John objected.
Several witnesses were put on the
stand, but Lopez was the most important
one. The state tomorrow will produce
witnesses to corroborate Lopez. Caesar
Cummings will be tried after this case is
disposed OF.
PAVING MAIN STREET.
Pursuant to a call, about twenty-five
citizens met in the city court room to
discuss with the city trustees the advisa-
bility of asphating Main and other
streets.
Although the call was for o'clock, it
was half an hour later before the meet.
ing was called to order by Col. Ritchey.
Colonl Kitchey briefly stated the OBJ
iect of the meeting, alter which he called
upon the meeting to elect a secretary,
and ]. L. Baumagartner was selected.
Gvorge N. Reynolds was the first
speaker. He said that the matter of put
ting down asphalt was one that directly
interested abutting property-owners on
the street named, yet every taxpayer
ought to feel interested in the work. He
would like to zee more OF them
present, aud he would like very much to
see the work done.
Trustee Simms was an abutter on
Main, and he could say for himself and
Mr.. Waite. his partner. that they were
heartily IN favor OF asphalt.
Trutese Frost thought the citizens
committee ought to take off their coats
and go to work. They should not only
ask owners to do the work, but plead
with them. In all probability if the work
is not done now under the present plan
1t will be done under year by the
Vrooman law, which was more expensive.
He owned property on Main and Eighth
streets and se was to asphalt. In fact the
work in front of his Main-street property
would be dane this week.
D. w. Welty. who owns the Enterprise
block, wanted to asphalt. He did not
know how his neighbors stood, but he
hoped they would agree to the work.
Secretary Baumgartner stated that hc
had estim ated the cost of q 25-foot front.
age on Main street and it was $3.50.
w. A. Hayt said he vas going to as
phalt and all on his side of Main in the
block were ready to do the same.
Trustee Simms said the actual cost Of