The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-27
VAIHLY PLEADED
! FOR HIS LIFE
Waterman Patterson Died
at the Hands of Sam
Black.
The Outlaw.Hunter Confesses to
the National City
Murder.
His Companion Gives the Authorities
the Details CT Cold. Blooded
Assassination.

SAN DIEGO, CAL, Dec. 26.-Sam Black.
the SLAYER of John Patterson in an orange
grove at National City last Wednesday
night, has confessed. His confession is
not in legal form and he m ay recant when
he comes to trial. But the confession of
John Mitten, who was present when the
murder occurred, practically settles the
matter, and Black is fncing the gallows
Mitten was found yesterday and told
all. The officers kept the matter close
secret. Black was confronted with the
confession of Mitten and broke down: the
defiant attitude he had assumed disap-
peared and he admitted that he had done
kthe shooting.
"Mitten's confession is about correct"
he said coolly, Except that 1 called out
twice to Patterson before l shot HIM.
thought he was tramp trying to steal my
rig. and after calling out twice without
getting an answer l shot,"
Mitten's confession portrays a murder
OF a most cold blooded kind He tells
how the two drove up after dusk to The
orange grove guarded by Patterson and
Black suggested that they take a few
oranges.
II did not see Black get out of the
wagon" said Mitten, "but / heard him.
l did not know ne carried his gun when
be got out. He was behind me as L stood
at the tree looking at the oranges. Just
q bout the time lit the match l heard
voice at the wagon and thought the old
horse was moving around tree.
Il turned around and saw Black on the
run toward the wagon. He did not call
out anything. l saw man in the wagon.
Black ran up to within about thirty feet
Of the wagon and fired. Just before he
fired the man spoke, evidently telling
b ack not to shoot, but l did not hear
what he said. He fell in a heap, appa-
rently between the seat and the dash
board, and made pitliul cry. l shall
never forget that cry-it was awful.
3: The wagon was already on tie move
when Black shot, but it went faster after
the shot, and Black followed alter. That
was the last l saw OF Black for time. 1t
wasspretty dark and 1 could not see far.
1 realized what an awful position / was
in, and made up my mind to get OF there
as quickly as l could.
- did not know anything about the
country, bat l could see the lights of San
Diego and struck out across lots for them.
;faSt.:: a mile or two further on some body
:st6pped me and said:
: - Say, there's 4 man here either drunk
Or Sick. Help me, will your
:::"t:I looked and saw Blacks rig there
q I'll the dying man in it. l said: No,
q nj in hurry to get home. / can't STOP
: 4 went straight home, and reached there
. between I 80 and clock. Black showed
up at the house about $50.
=" My God, Sam L said, you've got me
in terrible fix. You've killed that man.
"'Well, said Black, ! hops to God
huve. Dead men tell no tales
'>.Wnat did you do with the gun
asked him.
Oh I've got that where they will
never find it, he said. 1 threw it in the
bag
Il told Black then about meeting the
wagon and being asked to help the
wounded man, and Black said:
:: 81 wish to God l had met the outfit.
They wouldn't have any evidence against
: me now
.. :::"Then Black told me be had plan all
J: fixed up and for me TO keep still and
would not be implicated. He told me to
caution my family not to say anything
about my trip. He said he was going to
tell the officers that two tramps stole his
outfit in Telegraph Canyon and get them
TO take the trail after it.
s. tThe next morning James B ack. son
+, of Sam, came to my house with a note
::from his father. 1t was to the effect that
II must keep still and warn my family to
keep still and all would be well. Black
Cd hit 7 yont6 ha
iti:the affair. At the end he said l should
destroy the note and he would see me
later. So | burned the note in the stove"
%.Biack refuses to talk now, having been
: Ca Qtioned by his attorney, but his son
said tonight that he thought his father
must be crazy. He had displayed signs
:of mental alteration for a month past.
This hint may indicate that the insanity
.piea will be advanced to save Blacks neck
...irom the gallows.