The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-06-02
.DDNHAM'S TRAIL FOUND AGAIN

Known 10 MIN, Qe naV1nR worked upon
the ranch a few years ago. The fugitive
seemed worn out with a hard tramp
through the brush.
His face was scratched as Coe supposed,
by making his way through the branches
on the hillside. Dunham did not have
much to say, except that he had been
tramping around and had lost his way in
gulch.
He spoke of being very hungry and
asked if he could get some provisions. He
was told that he could have some. Dun
ham then wanted to know If he could buy
rife.
He said be had money and would pay
for all he got. 1t was suggested that if he
was so flush" he ought to go to Gilroy or
Hollister and buy what he wanted.
Dunham persisted in his efforts to make
a purchase of frearm, and the colonel
showed him rifle that had been in use
for some time and that the owner himself
had bought second-handed for $14.
The rife with thirty rounds of am
munition and sack of provisions were
secured by Dunham. The provisions con-
sisted of some bacon, a lot of hardtack,
some stale bread and a piece of cheese.
Dunham paid $50 for the supplies and
rife and ammunition. This was a high
price, but the purchaser did not stop to
haggle. He gave up the money quickly
in gold, lot of which he seemed to have
loose in his pocket.
Durham started away in the direction
OF the McDermitt ranch, which is in what
is known as Packwood Valley, south of
Smiths Greek and east of the Eighteen
mile House. 1t is believed that Dunham
is hiding somewhere on this great cattle
ranch. 1t consists of about 1000 acres
and is owned by James McDermitt,
millionaire of Oakland.
The residence of Charles Coe, where Dun
ham appeared last Friday afternoon. is on
the top of what is known as Pine Ridge.
The Coe ranch consists of 5000 or 5000
acres. 1t is adjoining the McDermitt
ranch on the east.
| The center of the McDermitt ranch is
about fourteen miles from San Felipe Val
| ley.
After Dunham left Coe thought the cir
cumstance of his visit was rather strange.
The mystery was cleared up the following
Sunday when read the newspaper account
of the chase of the murderer.
AS StOL as uc COulN, d1ltT UndhlIB tuc
discovery, Coe sent word of Dunham S visit
to his place to the foremen of adjoining
ranches. He communicated with Elgin
Page. who has charge of the McDermitt
ranch; Wood Wadhams, the foreman of
the Newell ranch, and James MoIifath.
The latter was very much startled when
he heard the news, as he recognized in the
description of Dunham a man who had
been at his place the evening before, or
about 6 o'clock Saturday evening.
The stranger did not come to the house,
but spoke to one of the ranchhands whom
he met short distance from the door.
He told the man he was sick and needed
some whisky to brace him up.
The man said he had plenty of money
and would give anything for bottle of
whisky. When the rancher agreed to get
the whisky Dunham reached into his
pocket and pulled out a $50 piece and
handed it over. He, however, spoke about
getting some change.
The rancher went to Madrone on horse
back and got the liquor. He returned at
midnight, and met Durham by appoint
ment near the house on the McIlrath
place. Dunham took the bottle and the
change, and then handed over S. to the
rancher. In starting out he again went in
the direction of the McDermitt ranch.
After learning that Dunham had been
seen in that vicinity Wadams began an
investigation, and found fresh foot
prints of man upon old trails, where
men seldom or never go either on foot or
on horseback.
The tracks were not regular, and some
tOf{
who had wrapped one of his feet up with
cloths, while the other print was made by
shoe with a rather narrow toe.
The tracks were going and coming, as if
the man who made them had been back
and forth on the trail great deal
The tracks were SO uncertain and occa-
sional on the hard trails that the searcher
could not be certain whether the man had
had both of his feet covered at times, and
at other times had worn his shoes without
any coverings.
Besides the footprints there were some
queer marks on some of the trails that the
investigator could not at first make out.
These marks were not continuous, and
it was afterward proved almost be-
yond doubt that they were made
by a bicycle that was sometimes
carried and sometimes pushed along over
the trails where it was too steep and rough
to ride. 1t was also found that there were
bicycle tracks in the level places around
the region thereabouts
This was considered strange, as bicycle
is seldom seen in that rough, mountainous
region. The bicycle tracks are especially
distinct across several bridges in the San
Felipe Valley.
They had attracted the attention of
Wadams, as beng strange and unusual
before he heard anything about Dun
ham being in that vicinity or
even about that the murder and the search
that was being MADE for i'm. The tracks
were always very WIDE as made by a fat
tire or one that was extra large
Last Friday night at II O'Clock Wadams
was on his way home from dance in the
San Felipe schoolhouse. 1t was bright
moonlight and when he crossed the bridge
he looked and made certain that there
were not any fresh bicycle tracks upon 1t.
At very early hour the next morning
he had occasion to cross the same bridge
and he then discovered and traced the
mysterious bicycle tracks.