The record-union., 1897-09-21
THE lone MATTER.
George L. Crabtree Denies All
knowledge of Russe1ls Theft.


The following letter from George L.
Crabtree of lone explains itself:
Eds. Record Union:' In Fridays
edition of your paper appeared an arti-
Gle referring to the theft of certain ar
ticles of the Preston School of Industry,
which contains some statements re-
garding myself in connection with it.
The affair appears to me somewhat I'M
just.
Knowing that you desire to accord
fair treatment to all. I send YOU the
following inclosed account from the
Amador Republican, which is true and
correct in every particular. Please al
low it space in your valuable paper and
greatly oblige me.
THE records of the Superior Court of
Sacramento County Will also show that
the case referred to in your article
wherein I was accused Of arson-was
dismissed on motion of the District At
torney before coming to trial, because,
after thorough investigation he was
satisfied that there was no evidence
that would connect me with the crime
charged-in other words. that 7 was
innocent. Yours very truly,
GEO. L. CRABTREE."
The article from the Amador "Repub-
lican" reads:
Justice COMBS court in lone was
the scene of considerable of a sensation
last Wednesday, during the trial of
two of the Preston school boys, Russell
and a companion, charged with steal
ing from one Thurston, the gardener
at the school, a watch and chain, dia-
mond pin and a $40 gold piece. 1t ap-
pears that a boy named Harvey,
trusty, sWore that he was given a pack
age, wrapped up in a towel, by Russell
TO give to George L. Crabtree and that
he delivered the package as requested.
This evidence was corroborative of the
statement made by Russell that he had
sent the stolen property to Crabtree,
and thereupon a warrant was issued for
his arrest for receiving stolen property
but he was released on his own recog-
nizance.
Russell and his companion were
confined in Jail here for some time
and one night during the period
Of Incarceration Russell WAS taken to
lone by an officer from the school and
a county officer, and alone the officers
being in hearing distance) called Crab
tree to the door of his house and de-
manded the things, stating that he
was about to fee out of the country.
Crabtree Indignantly denied having
the plumber, and ordered Russell to
| leave the premises This rather shook
the faith the officers had placed in
| Russelrs story about sending the
things to Crabtree, but Harvey's testi-
mony in Justice COombs' court clinched
! the nail and Crabtree's arrest followed.
"Georeg L. Crabtree, in communica~
ton with a citizen of Jackson relative
to the matter yesterday, by telephone,
said: There is no truth at all in any
statements made By any of the boys
regarding any stolen property having
| been left at my stable. [ knew abso-
lutely nothing about the matter until
! the boy, Russell, came to my house
and inquired concerning the stuff he
] had stolen, and which he says he order
! ed left with me. Tack Halter, who is
| the only man that was in my employ
at the time that had key to the office
| of the stable, says nothing was left
with him for me by any boy from the
Preston School, and no boy from the
school ever got the key to the office
| from either Haller or myself I know
that l am not guilty of any thought of
crime whatever and feel that l have
right to a square deal"