The herald., 1897-12-21
A TRICKY GIRL
II.
Who Aided Charles FiIkins
mills Escape
FROM AN OFFICER AT FRESNO
THE DEFENSE OPENS IN THE
CRANDALL MURDER CASE
The Webb Accusation to Come Up This
Morning-A Curious Point of
Law Discovered

Deputy Sheriff J. II. Barnhill is in
hard luck. In August, 1896 while escort
ing a prisoner to the penitentiary, he
was unfortunate enough tc lose his man,
the latter escaping in reckless way
from the train while it was in motion,
close to Fresno.
Now the deputy sheriff has had his for
mer experience repeated. and. although
full particulars are not yet to hand, 1t
would seem as if Fresno was "hoodoo,'
for at that point Charles w. F'ilkins,
sentenced to five years in San Quentin
for burglary, escaped from his guardian
in the early hours yesterday morning.
Sheriff Burr, upon reaching his Office
yesterday morning. received the follow
ing wire from Deputy Barnhill:
Lost my man at Fresno. He jumped
through the window with his boot on.
The boot referred to was an Oregon"
boot a facetious title given to several
pounds of steel in the form of an I'M
mense fetter, which effectually prevents
the wearer from walking very far.
Certain particulars were currently
spoken Of yesterday about the court
house, and how much Of truth is con-
tanned in them remains to be seen. 1t
was asserted that Filkns' escape was
the elimination Of cleverly conceived
plan. When arrested by Detective Good
man al San Diego 1t was for the minor or
Tense of stealing bicycle, but upon be-
ing brought to Los Angeles it speedily
developed that a dangerous man had
been gathered in unawares, and several
charges of burglary arose up In judg-
ment against him. 1t was soon found out
that he was an ex-convict, and his trial
for the more important offense OF bur-
glary resulted in conviction.
From the date Of his arrest pretty,
little, black haired and snappy-eyed
senorita, named Francisco Melendez,
stood by him. 1t is surmlsed that che is
the lady who sent to the jail the big
cake which was found to contain the
finest steel saws and quantity Of nuri-
attic acid, instead Of the orthodox plums,
and who later provided him with bag
of red pepper, which was discovered up
on him in the court room while he was
being tried The part this girl has played
in the escape is inferential.
After his conviction Filkins is cred
tied with having sworn that he would
not go to the penitentiary. Only in the
light of his escape are his words under
stood Last Saturday morning he was
brought up for sentence, but his attor-
ney not being present, Judge Smith con-
tinued the matter. This is said to have
very much disturbed Filkins, and he in
sisted that he receive his sentence and
be taken north. In consonance with his
wish, no delay took place, and on Satur-
day afternoon he was sentenced to Ave
years in San Quentin. After he had
been taken north, 1t developed that the
girl who had hovered around him as his
guardian angel had left the city on Fri
day 1t is assumed that she it Is who
Is responsible for Filkins' getting clear
away, for it was claimed that carriage
tracks were found close to the spot
where he threw himself headlong from
the train. Certain it is that, unaided,
he could not have gotten very far, handi-
eaped with the Oregon" boot. Sheriff
Burr left on the train yesterday to see
what could be done to recover the es
raped prisoner and handbills were
printed offering $50 for his recapture.