The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-07-09
EXAMINATION AT RIDDLE
Both John Mcdowell and James
Pool Placed Under Heavy
Bonds.
ONE POSITIVELY IDENTIFIED.
Little Doubt That the Former Is the
Man Who Went Through the
Train.

RIDDLE, Or, July s.-The preliminary
examination of James Pool and John
Case, alias Mcdowell, suspected of being
two of the men who held up the Oregon
express in Cow Greek Canyon, was held to-
day before Justice Webber. Mcdowell
was positively identified as the man who
went through the coaches and secured
booty. Detectives have been actively en-
gagged in working up clews, and it is said
there is little doubt that Mcdowell is the
man.
Brakeman J. a. Norman gave the most
important evidence as a witness. He said
that he recognized Mcdowell as a pre-
vious acquaintance and had frequently
seen him in that country. Norman testi-
fled that when IN the sleeping-car the rob-
Der was poking a sleepy man in the ribs,
telling him to wake up and get OUT his
stuff" and while thus engaged the mask
worn by the robber slipped down and he
saw the mans face. McDowelPs voice
sounded familiar and he is sure that he
has seen him before.
Testimony to the same effect was given
by Engineer Waite and Fireman Gray.
who identified Mcdowell as the man who
went through the train. Even on minor
points their description agreed.
McDowel's claim in defense is an alibi.
He says that he was at POOLS house on the
night OF the robbery.
Riddle is four miles from the scene of
the hold-up. A farmer of the vicinity
testified that he saw Mcdowell at Riddle
on that Monday night.
Michael Deans evidence was direct and
positive, identifying Mcdowell as the man
that passed his home on the day of the
robbery and inquired the way. Dean also
identified the gray mare that Poole was
leading.
Justice Webber here gave the defendant,
Mcdowell, a chance to make a statement,
but his attorney waived the opportunity,
and the Justice fixed his bail bond at
$4,000.
James Poole was then arraigned. Albert
Norman was called as witness. He said
he saw one of the robbers at the hold-up
and thought he resembled James Poole.
Sam Dyer testified TO seeing two men
near Mr.. Deans on the day Of the robbery
leading the gray mare.
George Quinn produced in evidence,
among other things, pair of shoes that
were James Poole's, which he got at his
home, and the very shoes that made the
tracks at or near the hold-up.
Christopher Ledgerwood testified as to
the finding of several things the robbers
had and as to identifying the tracks of the
gray mare as the ones OF the horse the rob-
bers had.
A Mr.. Stevens testified to seeing one of
the alleged robbers. He noticed that he
walked with a peculiar swing in his gait.
He thought he recognized the walk or gait
as that of Poole.
DR.. Sham brook testified to the gray mare
being taken near the robbers rendezvous
and turned loose and to her going at once
to where she had been tied up while they
committed the robbery.
The attorney for Poole here addressed the
court and made motion for the release of
the defendant, James Pool, on the ground
of infficient evidence to convict.
Prosecuting Attorney Brown made an
eloquent speech showing that the State
had good case.
Pending decision the court took a re-
cess till P. NJ, and when the court recon-
vened Poole's bail bonds were fixed at $4,000.
To-day's examination was on the State
arge. The men are to be examined on
the Government charge of robbing the
United States mail on the 10th, when
United States District Attorney Murphy
of Portland will conduct the examination.
Postal Inspector N. P. Thral has the case
in charge, and states that he is confident
that McDowelIs accomplice will be iden-
titled.