The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-09-01
HELD IN A GUATEMALA JAIL.
EXPERIENCES OF TWO AMERICANS
CHARGED WITH MURDER.

Under the Law OF the Land. When IA
Man Is Killed Everybody in the
House Is ArreStcd-So, when the
Cashier of an Agency Company
Was Killed They We're Taken In.
The Long Process of Getting Bond
in Central American Hcpubfic,
Though the LAW Allows Them to
BE Bailed In Fifteen Days In An
Cases.
Washington. Aug. Si.-The department Of
state has received a dispatch by mail from
Mr.. Pungle. charge d'amaires at Guate-
mala, dated Aug. "a. giving particulars
OF the arrest Of Robert J. Breckinridge
and c. c. Con. both citizens OF the United
states, on suspicion Of being implicated
in the murder on the 10th of July last of
p. C. ID. Brooks, cashier Of an agency
company at Livingston. and described by
Mr.. Pringle as "a young American" The
office of Brooks was entered at night and
$4,000 in bills was stolen.
Mr.. Prngle states that under ne laws
or Guatemala person cannot be held
longer than fifteen days, after which time
bail can be given, and that as Messrs.
Breckinridge and Con had offered bail and
40 action had been taken in their case,
Mr.. lrinBle saw the police and was prom
ised they would look into the matter.
"Messrs. Breckinridge and Goff," adds
Mr.. Pringle, "are both men of standing
and employees Of the agency company
from whom the money was stolen. IL is
to be hoped that the matter will be fully
ana fairly investigated, so that these gem
tlemen may be eXonerated from any sus-
n NJ In d
in this affair"
Mr.. Pringle encloses letter from Mr.
Breckenridge, in which the latter says.
The murder and robbery were not dis
covered till the morning Of the 18th, about
g O'Clock. Myself Qhe boOkkeeper for the
company and c. G. Con master me-
chanic) occupy rooms I'm the same build
ing over the office ana pursuant TO the
laws of this country (which require the
arrest OF all persons residing IN build
ing where murder is committed were
arrested the same morning, about $3.50
O'Clock. and detained pending an investi-
cation.
ON Monday. Aug p. the court Of first
instance, not being satisfied with the de-
velopmeuts of the proof formally com
mitted Mr.. &. G. Con-, Sylvester Ran
dolph, one Thomas Hall, a negro watch
man, and myself, and induced us to ap-
peal "a the court at Jalapa.
on Aug. this same court of first in
stance, upon application, decided TO ad-
init Mr.. Gof aud myself to bond. fixing the
bond at $i0o0 each. Capt. owen, mana
ger OF the company, and our employer,
making the bond.
We were then informed that bond and
papers would have TO be sent to Jalapa
for approval, and 1 believe they were
so forwarded, and we We're, after three
weeks Of imprisonment, to be held for an
indefinite period"
Mr. Brecklnrldge adds: 1.-THE relations
between Mr. Brooks and myself We're most
intimate and friendly.
a pistol was found In the vault (where
Mr. Brooks was murdered with one
chamber discharged and this pistol
identified as one that had been my prop
erty and In my possession up TO the eve
ming Of the 4th Of July, when IL was taken
from my room by some unknown party.
1t was notorious that had lost It on that
day, as had made various inquiries
concerning its loss, and 1t was also no
torious that on the 5th Of July had pro-
cured, and had been carrying an entirely
different make of pistol.
No eXaminationsW was made at the time
of finding 20 see whether the discharge
was recent or not. but II was assumed
that that pistol had been used to commit
the murder So far % Goff and Randolph
are concerned. thers Is not one shadow
Of evidence connecting them with the
crime"
Mr. Pringle was instructed by the de-
partment to see that the imprisoned
Americans have n fair trial. Subsequent
~ to the date of his dispatch by mail, he
telegraphed the department that orders
had been given for the release of Messrs.
Breckenridge and Con- on bail.