The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-24
STOCKING ENTERS
FOLSOM PRISON
The Forger and Perjurer
Recaptured Near
Stockton.
Officers Learn His Whereabouts
by Following Nellie
Riley.
Claims He Was Unassisted in His
Escape From Deputy
began.

SACRAMENTO, CAL, Dec. 23.-Frank
I. Stocking, perjurer, straw Dondsman,
ward politician and dope fiend," who
last Friday evening escaped in this city
from Deputy Sheriff began while en- route
to Folsom State Prison to serve the State
for period of ten,years for perjury, has
been recaptured and landed in the peni-
Tertiary, and the cloud OF suspicion which
had been slowly gathering over high places
in San Francisco has drifted away. AL
though the responsibility fer his escape
has been fastened upon Nelly Riley, tor
whom Stocking furnished straw bonds
and by swearing to them landed himself
behind the prison bars, and although it is
claimed that in her gratitude to Stocking
this woman planned his release, there have
also been whisperings to the effect that
Nelly Riley was but an instrument in the
hands of Others and that during the past.
when Stocking did dusty politics, he
obtained hold upon certain successful
politicians, who had hand in the pie
when Stocking got away. Be that as it
may 1.-The best laid plans of mice and men
gang aft agIee," and Deputy Sheriff FiIz-
gerald has placed Stocking where he
rightly belongs.
Last Friday evening Deputy Sheriff
began arrived in Sacramento with
Stocking ana another prisoner. en-
route to Folsom. He decided to
lodge them in the County Jail
until the tram left the following morning
for Warden AulPs caravansary. Hand
ba Tod
through Chinatown, and on The way
Stocking produced key, unlocked the
handouts dashed into a Chinese opium
den and disappeared.
As soon as the news of his escape
reached Sheriff Whelan he detailed Dep
utY Fitzgerald to take charge of the case,
and the latter, with the aid of the San
Francisco authorities, soon discovered
that Nelly Riley, the woman in the case,
was on the point of leaving for Sacra-
mento. He followed her and her male
companion, known as dutch Harry" to
this city, and, procuring the assistance of
Policemen Maiey and Fisher, soon located
the couple and kept them under constant
surveillance. The next day, according to
his story, he placed both under arrest, and
found in Dutch Harry's" possession let
ter from Stocking, addressed to his mother
at 2511 Octayia street. requesting her to
send steam launch to Stockton, and an
other letter 10 a certain person, requesting
that funds and a disguise be forwarded
Immediately to the ranch of man named
Ray, brother-in-Iaw of Nelly Riley, who
resided between Acampo and Stockton.
Placing his two prisoners in close contine-
ment, Fitzgerald returned to San Fran
cisco and had all the plans carried out.
The launch started Tor Stockton, con-
vsying officers, with q white cloth bound
around the smokestack as a distinguish
ing mark. Fitzgerald then returned to
this city and dispatched Deputy began
and Policemen Maley and Fisher to Ray s
ranch. The party arrived at Gait and there
engaged Deputy Sheriff as guide and
then drove to the Ray residence, arriving
some time after dark.
Stocking heard the carriage drive up
and remarked that his hiding-place had
been discovered He attempted to climb
out of a window, but gave up the idea
when he saw Officer Fisher standing out
side with drawn revolver. In short time
Stocking was in irons ana on the return
trip to Sacramento. The officers reached
here with their prisoner at O'Clock this
morning, and when the train lett for Fol-
som a few hours later Stocking was on
board in custody of began and Fitz serald
and Officer Maley.
After his Iecapture Stocking told the
officers that it had been his intention to
l. ave the farmers house last evening, but
he finally concluded that he would wait
until this morning. He had told Farmer
Ray that he and a friend had got into
trouble over a gambling game and that
the friend was about to be tried on charge
OF gambling. The friend would be ac-
quilted if Stocking, who was wanted as a
witness, would keep away. Stocking told
the officers that it was his intention to go
to New York and lead an honest life. He
did not deny his guilt in having COM
mitted perjury, bur he believed the SEN
tence was excessive. In his opinion two
years would have been sufficient. He had
perjured himself in order TO save friend
Stocking said he himself had made the
key with which he had opened the hand
cuffs.
When he ran through the Chinese
opium den, he Mid for time on a rear
porch. Deputy Sheriff began passed close
to him when ha was searching for him. A
few minutes later, Stocking says, be
climbed over fence and made his way 10
Second street, where he boarded P-street
car and rode to Twelfth street. After GO
ing to a station and telephoning to friends
IL San Francisco to come to mis- rescue, be
went to vacant house, where he passed
the night in basement, almost perishine
from the cold. The mex. day he procured
buggy from livery stable and drove ia
the Ray ranch.