The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1895-03-17
HARDSHIPS OF A MURDERER
Tracked by BI0odhounds in the Snowy
Caj0n Pass
Bogus British Vice-Consul Of TrlpoIi victlmlzes
San Bernardino's German
Elite

days experience of W. l.. Taber, the
Cajon Pass murderer, while he has been
hiding in the mountains, with Sheriff
Holcombs bloodhounds constantly on his
trail, has been trying one.
The storm which was raging in the
mountains was very severe one. and at
night the cold was intense. Added to
that was the difficulty of procuring food
and with nothing to eat, and but little
protection against the elements, it is not
surprising that he decided to surrender
himself.
Immediately after the shooting Sunday
evening, Taber accompanied his wife to
their home, and then bidding her good
bye he disappeared. 1t was known several
days ago that he came to this city, as he
was seen in town about midnight. and
this explained to the officers why his
brother made such an early start for
Cajon Pass Monday morning. But after
he was seen in town Sunday night all
further trace OF him was lost and the
persons engaged in the search were in
doubt whether he returned to the noun
tains or not.
However, several of John G. Kings
bloodhounds were secured and taken to
the vicinity .of Taber's home, and they
were not long. in picking up the scent,
and then began the run between the fugi-
tive and the tireless brutes, which would
have resulted in Taber's capture but for
the storm.
They followed him over the hills and
through the gulches, and Tuesday fore
noon he could hear the baying of the
hounds as they came following after him.
But the storm was in his favor Rain and
snow were falling rapidly, and the dogs
could not keep to the scent. But they
gradually drew nearer, and Taber con
Guided that his only escape would be to
climb tree and trust to the storm to
conceal his retreat.
The dogs came along and stopped at the
foot OF the tree where he was concealed
in the branches, but the rain made it i'm
possible for them to be certain; and after
barking about his hiding place for some
time, they took the backward trail and
disappeared. The posse which was fol-
lowing the dogs was probably some dis
lance in the rear, having sought heller
from the storm, and Taber escaped.
That night he came down in to the pass
and secured something to eat at the cabin
of friendly rancher. The severe cold of
Wednesday drove him from the higher
mountains. and Wednesday night he slept
once more picked up the scent, and traced
him to his last hiding place.
He escaped. but the clearing of the
storm convinced him that it would be i'm
possible to long avoid being taken, and he
determined to give himself up. He
started down from the mountains Thurs
day evening, arriving here shortly after
midnight.
The Dried Fruit Growers Association
has sold all.the fruit stored in it's ware
house, and the sacks of dried peaches
and apricots are being loaded as fast as
the cars are furnished. The entire crop
Of over sixty tons will be loaded by Mon
day night. and on the way to an Eastern
market. The association has consigned
it's fruit to Porter Brothers and Company
OF San Francisco, and the firm agreed to
pay an advance of 5 cents per pound, and
the whole transaction is to be closed up
within sixty days and then the fruit men
expect to receive an amount which will
give them at least 8 cents per pound for
their fruit, and with the possibility of as
much as cents.
This advance is the highest that has
been paid on fruit this year. The market
in the East is ranging from 7 to 8 cents
and the quality Of the fruit which is
transferred in this sale itis titles the grow
ket. A@ ~
captured and convicted of the murder of
Chicken jim" at Cotton, among local
officers it has come to becan Interesting
question as to who will secure the $500 re-
ward offered by Governor Markham for
the arrest and conviction of the murderer.
The claimants are many but if the court
recods govern in deciding who shall re-
ceive the reward, it will undoubtedly go
to w. J. Phillips. He made the arrest
of Garcia, and probably did more than
any other officer in working up the evil
dence which resulted in forming such a
complete chain about the murderer, and
dovetaied SO completely with Juan Ferra's
confession.
A merry war is on just now over the
bill for Supervisor Holbrooks expense
at Sacramento. Mr.. Holbrook was sent
by the board to look after county matters
in general, and particularly the fee bill
for justices and constables. Now the
constables are retaliating and threaten
suit to restrain Auditor Diss from draw
ing the warrant He has already been
served with notice that he must not
audit the claim.
Local German society is slightly frus-
trated over the appearance and disap-
pearance of one T.. Cohn who came to this
town week ago, posed as the British
Vice-Consul at Tripoli. off on vacation,
and doing" America. He victimized
various people out of sums varying from
SIS to $50, beat the st. Charles hotel out
of a weeks lodging and did up the town