The herald., 1896-12-27
SAN DIEGO.
Patterson's Murder Still Shroude0 In
Mystery-SteamshipM MatterA

SAN DIEGO, Dec. 26.-The murder of
John Patterson at National City Thurs
day night is still shrouded in mystery
Sam Black. who owns the wagon IN
which Patterson was found was the
principal witness before the coroner's
jury, but he was unable to solve the
mystery beyond the statement that two
men had stolen his team at Telegraph
canyon and driven off in the direction
of where the murder was committed.
The officers believe that their efforts 10
bring Patterson's murderer to Justice
will succeed, but will not indicate upon
whom their suspicious rest. Deceased
leaves a wife and seven young children.
The committee in charge of raising
stock subscriptions for the proposed
transpacific steamship line met yes
terday and effected their organization
by electing George W. Marston presl-
dent. The other members of the COM
mittee are Commodore H. P. Griswold,
D. C. Reed. Philip Morse. George D.
Copeland, l.. Mendelson and Irving D.
Dudley. A legal form of subscription
list was drawn up, which binds the sign
ers to pay ten per cent Of the subscrip-
ton every sixty days until the full
amount has been paid in, provided that
the remainder of $3,00O 600 has been sub
scribed elsewhere within one year from
J6uudTy ISL, 1881. Inc lOCdI
VIII undertake to raise $150,000, and 1t is
confidently believed that this amount
will be raised with but little delay
The jury empaneled to try the case Of
Albert j. POss, charged with murder,
was given the case yesterday afternoon,
and early this morning handed in a ver-
dict of acquittal.
San Diego wheelmen, Secretary e. A.
Woodard was made the recipient Of a
handsome gold watch as token of his
appreciated services to the club.
Christmas day is being observed as a
general holiday. and happiness reigns
supreme. This morning the Sun office
commenced the free distribution of gifts
that had been sent here for the past two
weeks to help the poor of the city enjoy
Christmas day. There were 225 app!i-
cants and liberal supply of food and
clothing was given each one. In addi-
ton SIS was distributed among those
who were in absolute need. The con-
tributions to this worthy cause were
more liberal this year than at any pre-
vious time.
THE MYSTERY SOLVED.
The inquest on the body of Patterson,
who was murdered at National City,
was resumed this afternoon, and the
testimony given by John Mittens. who
accompanied Sam Black on his hunting
trip verified the suspicious of all who
had become interested in the case.
From the moment that the officers
learned that Mittens was in company
with Black on the day of the murder he
received the undivided attention Of
Deputy constable Harry ]. Place. and
the persistency of that officer finally led
Mittens to make confession. This was
given to the district attorney last night
and signed, and was repeated this after
noon at the inquest at National City.
The confession in general says that Nit
tens and Black went on days hunting
to Telegraph canyon on Thursday last,
and upon returning home about dusk
they entered the orchard Of the Land
and Town company to get some oranges,
leaving the horse outside. Black car
ried his shotgun and while the men were
picking orange. they saw some one
drive off the team. They were near by.
and without a word Black raised his gun
and fred. killing Patterson. When Black
was arrested yesterday he appeared
quito unconcerned. as he doubtless felt
confident that Mittens would,stick to the
story that had been agreed upon the
night of the murder.