The San Francisco call., 1896-03-23


the subsequent jailing of the outlaws al
legged accomplices has died down some
what, local authorities are not relaxing in
their precaution to guard the Jail against
any possibility of mob attacks. Deputies
are constantly on the watch, and more be-
cause of their watchfulness than Tor any
other reason it is not believed any attempt
will be made to wreak summary justice
upon Lovren and Ardell. The prisoners
are still alarmed and have begged the
officials to save them from the peoples
vengeance.
Sheriff Merritt set an example that
many other officers could profit by when
making arrangements to stop the men
who had planned to rob the Southern
Pacific overland near Tulare. When he re-
ceived the tip from Obi Britt that the
hold-up would take place last Wednesday
night he quietly informed his deputies to
be on hand at that time. On the day of
the attempted robbery Sheriff Merritt
drove bunch of hogs to Tulare from his
ranch near that city.
He went about it just as quietly and with
as much unconcern as If it were an every
day affair. He had the hogs weighed and
corraled, and then went to the railroad
office, presumably to waybill them, there
by throwing off any suspicion that Lovren
and Ardell's tools may have had. Every
man connected with the Sheriff's office
was watched that day by men who were in
the employ of the bandits. and their move
/, ments were reported promptly to Lovren
and his partner. 1t was necessary to notify
the Southern Pacific SO that assistance
might be rendered by that corporation In
foiling the robbers.
Sheriff Merritt did another wise thing in
sending trusted employe to Bakersfield
to have personal interview with Super
intendent Burkhalter, instead of using the
wires. The mpany's special officer, o. J.
Meade, was notified to be in readiness for
train No. 20. When that officer arrived in
Tulare he soon learned The mission he was
on.
The funeral of Dan Mccall yesterday
and the fact that the Visalia Jail holds
Lovren, Ardell and their tools are the best
evidence of the success of Sheriff Merritt s
plans.
Charles Ardell, the partner of Lovren in
the saloon and general law-breaking busi-
ness, has an interesting history. He is a
native of Georgia, about % years of age,
and is a brick mason by trade. He is 6
feet inches in height, light omplexioned
with blue eyes and dark hair. About nine
years ago he accepted position with a
circus company to make tour of old Mex
leo, and his occupation was to sell lemon
ade, peanuts and reserved seats. After
leaving the show he landed in San Ber-
nardino and went to work at his trade.
Subsequently he hired out to Walter Ma
ben, the trotting-horse man, who had
charge of L. ]. Roses Sunnyside ranch
near Los Angeles.
Ardell worked there almost q year and
gained local reputation for being a .sgood
man around horses" He then travelled
through the circuit with Charles Durfee.
and Visalia was one of the towns which
he visited.
One year later Ardell came back to vi
salia. 81 Lovren took liking to him and
offered him a position as barkeeper Loy-
rem, thinking there would be money in
dancehouse, leased piece Of property a
short distance from the Sequoia mills in
Fresno County and induced Ardell to in
vest in the business. The land was owned
by resident of Visalia and when Moore
& Smith (owners of the mill), heard of the
proposed dancehouse they tried to buy the
lease, but could not. The place did not
pay and Lovren and Ardell ''went broke.''
The only time Ardell was arrested here