The San Francisco call., 1896-04-19
Desperate Efforts to Hold Root
Until the Grand Jury
Meets.
MORE OF THE GOLD BRICK
He Is Being Held on a Suspicion OF
Having Robbed Farmer
HofStra.
OAKLAND OFFICE SAN Francisco CALL, (,

908 Broadway. April Is.
The arrest of Chief of Police Lloyd at
the instance of the gold brick men has
caused that worthy official to redouble his
efforts to hold Root and send him to San
Quentin. He fully realizes that the men
have been driven to desperate straits in
their efforts to escape justice, but he does
not intend to let them accomplish their
purpose if he can avoid or in any way pre-
vent it. Said he to-day:
81 am in this fight to the finish and
don't care how many times the swindlers
cause my arrest. / propose to do what I
consider to be my duty. 1 believe that my
position requires that I use my best
efforts to hold this man and he will be
held if it can be done. I will continue to
arrest Root, no matter how many times
he is released, until I can bring him be-
fore the Grand Jury. I think that the
people will justify me in my efforts to
hold these men whom all who have looked
into the matter believe to be some of the
sharpest rogues in this country"
When Roots case was called to-day his
friend, Patsy Carroll, occupied seat with
him. Patsy has shown most remark
able fidelity throughout all of the numer-
GUS court proceedings, always being at
hand. At the request of Roots attorney
big Foot Dave Gordon, alias Mills, alias,
etc., was brought from the County Jail
and occupied seat near Root.
Farmer Hofstra retold his story all right.
showed considerable irritation, until
finally he could stand the lawyers nag
ging no longer and exclaimed: "Why
don't you be sensible? l have told this
thing over fifty times. You pump and
pump and pump on the same thing. /
don't think any court ought to compel a
man to answer these questions. l don't
think it is just or right"
Banker Stephen Little of Dixon was late
in arriving in court, but saved an attach
ment by appearing while Hofstra was on
the stand. He testified as on previous oc-
casions, but would not be sure Root
claimed TO him 20 be a UNITED States as
sayer." Here Roots attorney brought up
the question on which he caused Chief
Lloyd's arrest-whether Root assayed the
bricks or bo-ings. Judge Wood ruled
that If a piece had been Clipped off the
bricks he considered that the assaying of
the chips might be called assaying the
bricks, but to this the attorney objected
strongly.
A recess was taken until afternoon to
allow the Prosecuting Attorney to secure
the attendance of an employe of the Mint
regarding appointments. However, when
the case was resumed he said there was no
record of such appointments but the "blue
book" which he did not believe the court
could accept as evidence, SO he could not
ask for conviction in either case.
Judge Wood accordingly discharged
Root on the two charges His attorney at
once requested that the prisoner be dis
charged from custody, as there was no
other complaint against him. He called
attention, however, to the fact that Root
was in jail on suspicion of having stolen
$40, 900 from Hofstra, but the charge, he
claimed, had been thoroughly ventilated
and he wanted his client discharged.
The court said it could not make such an
order and left the bench. Root was con-
Quoted back to the City Prison by Captain
Wilson.
AS Patsy Carroll arose to leave the room
Chief Lloyd stopped him and said, "Patsy,
| have received some documents from the
East and San Francisco, and may call on
you to pay my respects at any time.''
Carroll looked rather surprised as he re-
piled, my rooms are at 16 Stockton street,
above the Pup. Any time you come over
if am not in leave your card and I'll
call on you. Don't fear that / shall
moYeh