The San Francisco call., 1896-03-12
When Arrested He Was Engaged
in Carpentering in a
Vineyard.
LETTER TO DETECTIVE HUME.
Maintains a Sullen Reticence, Except
to Claim He Is Not the Man
Wanted.

WOODLAND, CAL, March 11.-Cha rles
Chambers, alias Lamont, whom Wells,
Fargo e. Co. regard as one of the most
desperate criminals. was arrested near
Woodland this afternoon by Sheriff Crit
fin and Deputies Brown and Hughes.
Cham bers is wanted for nearly everything
in the category of crime, from stage-rob-
berry committed in Alturas County, Idaho.
to attempted murder at Benicia in this
State.
Owing to the desperate character of the
man every precaution possible was taken
to-day to prevent his escape. When ar
rested he was busily engaged in carpenter
ing at the Edgington vineyard and did
not notice the approach of the officers un-
til startled by the command, "Throw up
your hands"
Turning suddenly from his work, and
with hammer in his uplifted right hand,
be assumed threatening attitude, but it
was only for second, when he realized
that escape was hopeless and allowed the
hammer to fall to the ground with the re-
mark: "Weil, gentlemen, what is this all
about?" But before receiving an answer
to his question he continued, II guess
On the 1st of March Chambers was
released from San Quentin, his twenty
year term, less credits, at that place hav-
ing expired. He went directly to Sacra-
mento and thence to this City. where he
has been since March 7. His arrest was
due to the following letter. written to
Detective J. B. Hume;
WOODLAND, March 8, 1896.
Mr.. J. B. Hume, San Francisco: No doubt
you will be surprised to hear from me, but cir
cumstances alter cases good many times, so
thought would let you know where l am.
l am working for Mr.. G. Edgington for so cents
day and board myself so you see
l can't make much money. thought you
could help me until I can get something to do,
so win ask you to do one of three things. You
can send me few dollars, or you can pay my
way to st. Louis, Mo-, or You can give me en-
ployment l can't compel you TO do this, but
will not go hungry in land of plenty. am
known here by the name of Charles Lamont.
so you can address me that way. Yours sin
cerely, CHARLES CHAMBERS.
Upon receipt of the letter II me te le
graphed Governor Mcconnell of IDAHO
who Immediately wired Sheriff Griffin as
follows:
BOISE CITY, Idaho, March H.
Sheriff Griffin: If Charles Chamb bers escaped
convict from our penitentiary, is in California
cause his immediate arrest Notify me, so that
l may send an officer.
w. j. MCCONNELL, Governor of Idaho.
An hour after the receipt of the fore
going the following was received:
SAN FRANCISCO, March IL.
Sheriff Griffin: Have Chambers arrested at
once. Idaho newspapers have his whereabouts
and he may be informed and escape.
J. B. HUME, per Governor Mcconnell
In 1881 Chambers was convicted in AL
turas County. Idaho of stage robbery and
sentenced to term of nine years. A short
time after his incarceration he escaped,
but was recaptured by United States Mar
shal Boblin in Idaho. His second and
successful escape was made III March, 1883.
He came to California and committed
number OF robberies. and was captured at
Benicia in August, 1886, after wounding
three of his captors. He was sentenced to
a term of twenty years in San Quentin.
The officials followed Chambers into the
postoffice last night and heard the prisoner
inquire and saw him receive letter
through the open window. This letter
was from Hume. The arrest would have
been made then had the instructions from
Governor Mcconnell been received. From
the postotfice Chambers was shadowed to
the place where the arrest was made.
Cham bers acknowledged to Under Sheriff
Brown that he was released from San
Quentin on March 1.
At the Jail the prisoner refused to be led
into conversation, and to all questions
propounded, answered: II have nothing to
say" The following telegram was received
from Hume, when apprised of the arrest: !:
SAN FRANCISCO. March 11-3:3OP P NJ
G. ". Griffin, Sheriff, Woodland, Cal: Have
telegraphed Governor Mcconnell Of the arrest
and suggested that he communicate with you.
Hold Chambers at all hazards. He is bad.
J. Il. HUME.