The San Francisco call., 1896-08-25
he advisability of killing Jack Little

When asked if there were any others
who had expressed a similar opinion the
witness replied that there were htteen or
twenty. The defense attempted 10 show
that it was the universal sentiment OF
Round Valley that Palmer and Llttlehelo
should be killed, and Sanders suggested to
Post that ne supposed them all guilty and
in need Of hanging. Post said that about
twenty-five of them certainly were, ana
probably would be hanged if the case had
been tried in Sacramento County instead
of Trinity County, which is too poor to
bear the expense of such trial.
when you are Judge" suggested Sand
"I think not" said Post, "for would
be disqualified, as l most certainly nave
an opinion"
The witness told of visit to the house
of George White to solicit his support in
procuring lawyer to convict Littlefield
for stealing his mule. He said, white, l
want you to stand in with me and get
lawyer" White refused and asked why
he did not "do up" Littlefield. "You
wouldn't have any law out there TO trouble
you," the cattle king declared.
Witness Doolittle told of several in
stances when he heard conversations re-
lating to the proposed killing of Little
field. Gregory hal told him at two or
three places in Covelo and at the Red
Mountain House that he had good back
ing to undertake the job, naming among
E. White, Tom Henley, John Rohrbough,
Jim Rebe and Captain Dingnam. Doo-
little also had a conversation at Ukiah, in
regard to killing Littlefesd, with Joe
Gregory, Baylis Van Horn and Tom Hay
don. They stated that they were going 10
"do him up" by hanging him. Vinton
wanted the witness to kill Palmer and
Gregory.
Hayden said that men that had done
them the dirt that they had ought to be
shot down in their tracks any time they
met them. Buck Laeock urged the ad-
visibility of killing Littlefeld and Palmer.
A half-dozen more including John Crow,
thought Doolittle ought to kill Jack"
LIttlefield and Joe Gregory. Cummins,
the constable, also mentioned the killing
of Littlefeld, as did George White and all
of the Van Horns.
DoolitIle admitted that he had said that
Littleield ought to be killed.
At this juncture, Judge Post notified the
only woman spectator in court, VINO had
assumed the time-honored distinction OF
distributing bouquets among the prisoners,
that some very plain language was about
to be used, and If she did not wish be
shocked she should leave the room.
Then followed bit of testimony regard
ing the manner in which Joe Gregory
desecrated the grave of Littlefeld-so bar
barouS, revolving and inhuman that a
shudder passed over the auditors.
Doolittie resumed his testimony con-
cerning the threats against Littletield.
And" interrupted Lawyer Sanders
''you did not think that Mount Shasta
would go into mourning if he was killed.
And you would not wear Grape on your
arm and go into mourning If he was
killedP'
''I don't know as would particularly"
"And you had not anything left for him
to steal, and therefore you were willing
for him to liver"
'.Oh, | did not want him killed over it."
ibid the Sheriff ask you 10 tell If you
knew who 1t was who shot VintonH
Don't know as he ever didP''
HAS he been TO you 10 see who it was
that shot one of our witnesses over there
the other day.Mr. Sherman at Covelo?"
This question brought Oh a discussion
between the attorneys as to whether the
witness was testifying for the defense or
not. The witness said that no one had
promised him money, provisions or re-
ward as an incentive for him to testify for
the people. He stated that he had earned
his way to Weaverville in company with
the Lone Ridgers, showing them where to
camp on the way, hunting and cutting bee
trees for tnem. He acknowledged that he
three years ago.
George White, Vinton, Thompson and
Alec Perry, he continued, said there
should be no talk before outsiders about
the proposed killing. When asked to
name some of the w bite faction, he men,
toned Judge Spaulding, Alec Perry,
Charley Hurt, the Englishes, Frank
the two Rohrboughs, Captain bingham,
Tom Hayden, II. C. Simmons, Tom Hen
lev, Buck Lacock, Watkins and son,
Handy and the Van Horns.
Have any of them been to the peniten-
tiary for cattle stealing?" was asked.
II guess they haven't" was the reply.
They have been pretty close to it,
though"
''WeIl, who2"
tom Hayden for one. and put up my
money to save him."
Dan Mcdonald was next called to tes-
tify. He said that in the early part of the
summer OF 1885, in company with Tom
Hayden, Mrs Hayden and John NJ. Vim
ton, he had heard them talk of killing
Littlefed. He said that Hayden came
out of the kitchen to where they were sit
ting around the fireplace ana said:
II see Jack Lttletield over on the
Wylackie range near the log cabin"
Vinton arose, went out with Mrs. Hay
don toward the north of the building snd
returned. saying:
That's SO; they are over there. Now
would be good time to hang Jack Lit
tleield."
Mrs Hayden asked: "What about little
Johnnie Wathen?"
Vinton replied: "Hang him to the next
tree. Dead men tell no tales
Mcdonald then left Haydon's house in
company with Vinton for Lacock's house,
where Vinton said to Lacock: 1--WE have
seen Jack Littlefeld and Johnnie
Wathen on the Wylackie range to-day,
and we were talking of going over and
hanging him."
Lacock replied: "Well, it is not too late
yet. I'll count them over and see who
will 60"
Among those chosen or counted we're: /:
Lacock, Vinton, Artie Watkins, Tom Hay
don, Fred Lynch and the witness, Nc
Donald. The witness objected to being
counted in, and Vinton remarked: mo !;
don't count him. He isn't quite as game
as the balance" Buck Lacock said he had
white mare that would pull hard on a
rope to hang Littlefeld.
On cross-examination Mcdonald testi-
fed that Vinton had offered him $40 and
q suit OF clothes if he would kill Little
neld and Palmer, and that he (Vinton)
would furnish the Winchester and car
ridges. Rife had told him that if Greg