The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-06-05
JUST ONE DROP OF BLOOD
Upon That Hangs the Life of a
Man Who Was Convicted
of Murder.
Freeman Smith in the Shadow Of
the GalloWS Awaits the Result
of Analysis.

When Freeman Smith, found guilty in
Colusa County of murder in the first de-
gree, was on trial he claimed that certain
stains on overalls he wore about the time
the murder was committed were stains of
blood from hog that was slaughtered.
The prosecution claimed that it was human
blood and that it was the blood of the man
he was accused Of having killed.
Recently Governor Budd was appealed
to, to save the life of Smith, who, unless
the executive interferes will be hanged
next Friday. The plea was set up that
the testimony against the prisoner was
purely circums tantial, and it was not suffi-
cient to establish guilt beyond all question
The Governor heard all that could be
said and then read the transcript of the
testimony given on the trial. There was
one point that troubled him, and that was
the one in relation to the blood on the
overalIs. He did not feel satisfied that it
was human blood, still the proof presented
did not convince him that 1t was that of a
hog as claimed by the defense. Before he
Is convinced on this point he will not de-
eide the fate of the prisoner who is now
under the shadow of the gallows.
To act without positive knowledge in so
grave matter is contrary to the Govern
ors principles, so he has invoked science to
help him. He requested DR.. Douglass w.
Montgomery of this City to make all
known tests, to determine if possible the
character OF the blood on the stained over
alls.
The doctor ascertained that an ANALYSIS
had been made by Professor Thomas Price
assayer and chemist, and that that gentle
man had come to the conclusion from the
tests that he had made that the stains re-
sembled very much those of human blood.
Yesterday microscopic test was to have
been made at the doctors Office on Suffer
street. Drs. Spencer and Abrams were
present, as was also Professor Price, but
the test was postponed until to-day.
professor Price," said DR.. Montgomery
yesterday, twill not have anything to do
with the tests we shall make. He simply
called to tell us the method he followed in
making his analysis. We have already
made tests, and while our method is not
quite similar to that of the professor it leads
to the same end. We have also made a
microscopical test, the enlargement being
between 800 and 900, but neither that nor
the analysis satisfied US that it is either
with human or hogs blood that the over
alls are stained, and for that reason we will
tremely difficult task at this time, the
stains being over year old, to determine
with absolute certainty what the blood is
that of a human being or that of an AMI
NAL The average corpuscle of human
blood is from 5000 to $3.50 of an inch,
while the average of that of hog is 1890
That has to be measured on micrometer
under the lens. The corpuscle dries, dis
integrates, and we are forced to restore it
to as near it's normal size as possible, a
most difficult task Still we will do the
best that science teaches us, but it will
take some time before we reach any cons
clusion."
Meanwhile, doctor, the prisoners time
is getting very short, and it seems that his
life depends on drop of blood"
"That is true answered the doctor,
"but we hope to reach conclusion in time
to notify the Governor, whatever that con-
clusion may be-"