The San Francisco call., 1896-08-14

NOW, want TO ask MT. COlliuS IiSus
tere,'' interrupted Reed, ''if that is So"
Never" almost shouted Collins, and
moving forward and holding up an en-
phatic finger he declared in q loud voice,
"and that is rank perjury"
"Mr. Collins" asked the court blandly,
"will you please come to the stand. Now,
Mr.. Collins, if you have claim against
the railroad company" began the Judge
IN confidential, reassuring manner, Hwhy
don't you present it in courtP''
Because l was told by Mr.. Worthing-
ton, replied Collins, and his words rang
out loud and clear, ''that might as we'll
butt my head against a stone wall as o
bring suit againstth railroad; that it had
great influence. The railroad would spend
Sloo,ooo IN lighting case rather than pay
it."
Then Reed interrupted his client and
asked, WAS that the first day you were
selilng razor paste and had you license :"
yes, answered Collins to both aues-
tlons. "Mr Worthington never saw my
razor" he went on. "It is true that the
railroad company did perseeute me in an
unjust, cruel and inhuman manner. and
1t is we'll known to the people of the whole
State OF California that it is impossible to
get justice in the courts where the railroad
is concerned. Where they cannot get
other evidence they hire perjured testi-
mony. Had / known who that man was
when he assaulted ne I would have ap-
peared in court that day. / never saw
him before that day, but knew Neagle by
reputation to be a low-down, contempti-
bic, vile coward"
Neagle's eyes were blazing as these last
words were addressed directly to his face.
He jumped forward threateningly, but his
counsel stepped quickly in the way just
as he was within yard OF the witness
chair. A restraining hand held him back,
and few words We're whispered in his
ear. Neagle turned back to resume his
place in the crowd of standing men, and
peculiar smile was on his face-a smile
that nigh teasily be interpreted to mean |:
THAT was only harmless little bluff; a
little joke of mine.''
Not in the least intimidated, Collins re-
sumed his estimate of the Neagle char
acter, and police officer moved appre-
hensively little closer to Neagle.
"Your Honor, want to say that saw
Huntington signal to Neagle to assault
me-"
us it not true" asked Hart, "that you
have strong feeling against Neagle2"
mot bitter feeling, but am only
human. l look upon him as a repre-
sentative Of persons that have cruelty per-
secuted me.
II was put off a train in the Colorado
Desert, and when was picked up and put
in caboose they put my swollen feet in a
bucket of water. / absorbed two quarts of
water into my body through my feet.
was in such a condition that to have
drunk any water would have killed me.
l wouldn't tell all this, but man inter-
ssted has since heen discharged and the
railroad can no longer harm him.
Il had been working for the railroad
and / was laid off. wanted to come back
here, and by rights as an employe, was
entitled to pass. 1t would not be granted.
planked down my $40. A telegram came
from headquarters to put me off the train,
and at each station there was telegram
to the same effect, How did they know l
was on the train? Oh, their ooi-pigeons
told them. Finally the boys came to me
and said it was too bad, but it was no use,
they had to obey orders. and was put off
out on the desert. That was thirteen or
fourteen months ago. You have seen an
article in THE CALL about the sufferings
of a man on the desert. My friends told
me I ought to sue for $50, 900 or $25, oO0 and
I said would be satisfied with $a5,o0c. /
went to the railroad. They tried to have
me proved insane. They sent men over
this State-sent a man to tockton-try-
ing to get evidence against me.
81 want to say that never in my life did
I threaten any man, either railroad or
not.
~ may have been insane on the desert
| That do not know. l was delirioas at
| times. When they picked me up my
| tongue was SO swollen from the heat and
from thirst that it filled my mouth. My
| head was SO swollen from my suffering
that could not put my hat on, ana my
| feet were so swollen that they nearly burst
my shoes. No man ever suffered what /
did on that desert. Do think that was
| Ill treatment by the railroad? would not
put dog off on that desert.
"Why did I not bring suit? Your
| Honor, / have been told SO often that no
| Ouc COuid sCt JuollSO Iiob' ZIG lditIOda.
They buy perjured testimony. | know
that. They control courts. They rule or
they ruin. Every one knows how they
murdered those people down in MusseI
Slough"
'But." said Judge Low, "you see some
cases adjusted against the railroad"
eyes, yehemently replied Collins, ~
see one may be, but where l see that one /
see dozen in favor OF the railroad. But
in those rare cases | never heard of any
that were for large sums and never hear
of any of the claims being paid.'
"We can prove" spoke up Attorney
Hart, sthat threats were made"
"They cannot prove that / made threats
unless it is by perjured evidence" retorted
| Collins.
"I call Captain Lees to the stand" said
Short.
Captain Lees told of his conversation
with Collins. He had seen him on Mont
gomery street before the assault and had
warned him that he was foolish to stand
round near the railroad building, but Col
Inns had told him that he had right to.
| Later when he had the talk IN Hunting o.