The San Francisco call., 1896-11-19
Said He Was on the Verge of
Delirium Tremens When
1t Was Made.
Tired of Life and Dreading Suicide,
He Sought Death at the Hands
Of LyncherS.

witness-stand in the Superior Court this
afternoon. He reiterated his former
declaration that he had falsely confessed
that he was murderer, because he be-
lieved that by so doing he would soon be-
come the victim of lynching party. This
he desired, as he was weary of life, but re-
ligious teachings prevented him from COM
mitting suiside Moore's testimony was
substantially as follows:
Ny name is William NJ. Roe. 1 am well ac-
quainted with Mr.. Schaug, who has testified
during this trial. About one month previous
TO the making OF the alleged confession to
Mr.. Schaug had peen drinking TO excess
drinking hisky, wine, absinthe and brandy.
AT night coud not sleep, for l was on the
verge of delirium tremens. 1 was despairing,
tired of life, and wanted TO get out of the
world. l told this to Mr.. Schaug, and he said
that if 1 were determined to do this might
help him in some way, and that he would go
in with me. Somebody would then be bene-
flied. then made a statement to Schaug, but
the one in evidence is not the way 1 gave it to
Schaug. 1 gave him daues, names OF places
and names of persons whom l had met. Mr..
Schaug put in the filling.
never admitted the killing of Mrs. Green
wood. The supposed confession is fabrica-
tion and lie as far murders and robberies
are concerned. When I talked with Mrs.
Weyse about the Greenwood murder was in
similar condition as when speaking to Schaug.
At night l could not sleep because OF the
imaginary animals 1 would see During the
day would drink liquors. When talking with
Mrs. Weyse 1 don't remember of saying /
killed Mrs Greenwood. If 1 did make any
such statement it is untrue. While coming
up on the train and talking with Sheriff Burr
and Sheriff Mckenzie my mind was far from
being clear. What stated to Sheriff McKen-
zie was done with the hopes that might be
lynched
The last part of January, 1891, left Napa
County for San Francisco, and was in that
City and not in Nspa County at the time of
the murder. I remained in San Francisco IN
til after February ID, 1891. In reference to
my watch, OF which there has been much dis
cussion. sold the watch to person in San
Francisco in the latter part OF January, 1891.
When Moore had concluded the hour
was late and the case went over until to-
morrow.
When court convened this morning G.
j. Beerstecher. offered in evidence the
statement alleged to have been made by
Moore to Schaug in San Bernardino.
wherein he confessed to a score of mur-
ders. j. L. York then made the following
open statement for the defense:
May it please the court and gentlemen of
the jury: At this time ii becomes the duty of
the defense to state TO you IL general terms an
outline of what we intend to prove on behalf
OF the prisoner. In the first place, without in
duiging in anf remarks other than a sketch or
outline OF our evidence, we intend TO produce
before you witnesses who have known this de-
fendant while he resided in other parts of the
State-in Woodland and around in that coun-
try-that section of the State where he worked
1or several years, period OF some five years
should think. We will prove that during The
course of his life all that time he bore q good
reputation for peace and quietude and hon.
esty, and that he was industrious; that during
that portion of his life no blemish could be
found upon his reputation, and that every
one who knew him in that section of the
country knew him as good, faithful, ordin-
arily res pecta bic citizen.
Nextwe will introduce before you witness
VINO resided in and about Napa who knew him
wen while he worked here. He was during
his life farmland, spending most of his time
on farms, sometimes engaged in breaking
horses, and while he resided here in Napa or
IN and about Napa he was industrious and
bore good reautation for peace and quietude
We next follow him to his southern home
where, for many years-some four or five years
he worked on farms and was d trusted en-
ploye. During that time he bore good repu-
tatlon Tor peace and quietude. The prisoner
will take the stand and he will tell you con-
cerning these alleged statements made to Mr..
Shaug, and those made 10 Mrs. Weyse and
those made to Sheriff Burr, and those made 10
Mr. Mckenzie, the Sheriff of this county. In
this statement he will tell you his reasons for
making them-the reasons that actuated him
in the whole affair-and you must be the Judge
OF the truth or faisity OF his statement, as you
are OF all the witnesses who may be produced
in this statement.
his statements to Mrs. Weyse and to the Sher-
if, who came up here 10 testify his health
had been bad; that for some time before he.
by reason of i'll health, commenced course of
drinking; that he itoxicaIed for long
period of time prior 10 that and atthe time
the alleged statements were made by him he
was yerging upon deirium tremens, and his
sole idea at that time was to get rid of life, as
1t had been failure so far as he was con-
cerned Brought up BY Christian parents his
idea was that 1t was sin and a wrong to lake
ms own lie, and he came here with the sole
idea that he would rather permit some other
instrumentality to take his life ard that he
came his sole idea and fixed determination.
He viii also testify TO his Whereabouts.
During the lapse OF time of five years from
the time the Greenwood murder occurred wit
nesses have left the State and gone we know
not where. We have been unable TO find wit
nesses OF great Importance TO the prisoner
because OF deaths or removals from one place
TO another, for the reason that the prisoner at
the bar was q laboring and associated
with men who work upon ranches and who
moved where they might find work or en-
plcyment-transient men they might call
them, although industrious, reputable citi-
Zens.
When, after introducing our testimony, we
believe that you viii be able TO ascertain the
tacts more accurately than you will be at pres
ent, and after having heard and determined
these facts you will bring in verdict in ac-
cordance with the law and in accordace with
the evidence. We intend to in troduce for your
consideration the whole of an alleged written
statement made by this defendant to the wit.
ness Schaug, and we intend 10 show by that
statement the improba bility and impossibilty
OF the truth OF the narrative. From that, gem
tlemen, from that writing itself, we expect TO
show to you that the whole was a fabrication
OF disordered mind
George Gould of Woodland testified that
for five seasons-from 1888 10 1855 Moore
worked for him on a thresher and during
that time bore good reputation. Peter
Lynch, for whom Moore had worked in
Napa County, testified that as far as he
knew Moore's reputation was good. Fla.
Mccall, contractor for street grading in
Los Angeles. stated that Moore worked
for him sixteen months IN 1892 and 1893,
and that during that time he was honest
and industrious, and had the respect of
the men working with him. Mrs. Louise
Maud of Los Angeles sister Of Mrs.
Meyse, testified that she had heard
Moore's s character discussed by M any peo-
pie, and that Moore was considered hon.
est, faithful and industrious. Mrs. Weyse
testified along the same line.