The herald., 1897-04-25
The Murderer of LOrden
in Custody
SENSATIONAL CHARGES MADE
AN ATTEMPT TO IMPLICATE
JUSTICE RICHARDSON
Peculiar Conduct of an Ex-Convict.
A Colored Divorce Case-New
Suits Filed-Court Notes

A 17-year- old Mexican boy by the
name of Frank Valdez confessed
to Assistant District Attorney
Williams yesterday morning that he
had murdered Mike Lorden at GAIA
basas Wednesday night. Valdez's con-
fession contained some sensational
statements, duplicating as it does JUS
tice of the Peace N. M. Richardson OF
Calabasas in conspiracy to take Lor-
den's life. He claimed that he had been
offered 500 by the justice to Kill Lor-
den. There is not much credence placed
in this part of the confession, however
Valdez said that he went into Lor-
dens saloon and asked for something
to eat. at the same time laying dollar
on the counter TO pay for the lunch.
Lorden put the money in the drawer and
told Valdez that he owed that much.
The latter claimed that he had pald
all that he owed, but said that II Lorden
would give him something to eat ne
might keep the change. Upon this val
uez claims that Lorden went behind
the counter and picking up an ak ham
die said that he was going to finish him
right there. He then pushed Lorden
back to avoid any trouble, at the same
time telling him to look out.
At this stage Lorden raised the eX
handle and repeated that he would
finish him. He then walked to the door
and locked it, after which he came at
Valdez, cursing him. The latter step
ped back to avoid a blow from the ak
handle, and drawing a pistol from his
pocket, shot Lorden, who fell, but later
got UP and walked behind the bar. VAL
dez opened the door and ran away.
That night he slept in barn and the
next day went back to work herding
sheep on Agora's ranch, as usual The
next day he went down to Calabasas
with some other herders to get some
wine While there he was arrested by
Deputy Sheriff Harvey Branscomb.
Valdez claims that a few days before
he shot Lorden Justice of the Peace N
M. Richardson offered him 500 to kill
Lorden, in order that he might secure
his claim. He says, however, that this
was not the real reason of the killing,
but that he shot the man in self-de-
fense. Valdez stated in his confession
that he was walking along the road in
front of Richardson's house few daAs
ago when the latter called to him to
come over, and when he went Rich
ardson asked him if he would like to
make a hundred dollars, and offered to
give him that amount II he would kill
Lorden. He did not say then whether he
would do it or not, but agreed to stop
as he went by in the evening. and then
he would know whether or not he would
undertake the job. He claims that at
this meeting he told Richardson he
would not kill Lorden.
While the district attorneys office
does not feel disposed to believe this
part of the story, there was a very sin
gular incident connected with the ar
rest of Valdez which will have to be
explained before it can be wholly dis
credited.
Harvey Branscomb, who arrested VAL
dez, says that Justice Richardson came
to the jail at Calabasas in company with
Constable D. NJ. Nash for the purpose of
taking the young murderer out and
holding his examination Branscomb
refused to let the prisoner go. stating
that he was going to bring him to Los
Angeles for a hearing Upon this Rich
ardson and Flint grew obstreperous and
were going to force him to give up the
prisoner, when Branscomb drew his re-
volver and leveling it at Richardson
commanded him to halt
"If you come another inch I will XIII
you" he shouted. Nash then called out
that he was with the justice. Brans-
comb then told them that he would xii,
them both if they attempted to take the
prisoner away from him.
1--WE have come after that prisoner
and we are going to have him before the
local justice for examination" called
Richardson, but Branscomb replied that
he did not propose TO have anything to
do with them and would hold Valdez.
Branscomb was then cited to appear be-
fore Justice Richardson next Tuesday
for contempt of court and with that the
latter and his companion retired.
Branscomb brought Valdez to Los An
geIes yesterday morning and took him to
tha district attorneys office, where he
repeated his confession in the presence
OF a stenographer. He does not appear
to feel any remorse over his act and
states that Lorden abused him, and that
is the reason why he killed him.
One thing that would indicate that
valdez cHdlSeS against Justice hlCN-
ardson are false is that Lorden refused
to make an ante-mortem statement TO
anyone but Richardson, although he
knew who his assailant was, and would
not say word until his arrival but be-
fore Richardson could be summoned he
had died.
Valdez is understood for his age, al
though he has a pretty bad record and
has been in Jail before. He is a sheep
herder and works on a ranch near Ven
tura. He was seen in the vicinity of Lor-
den's saloon on the night of the murder
and this fact drew suspicion to him
Deputy Sheriff John Haas of Calabasas
had been watching the fellow two or
three days previous 10 his arrest and had
followed his actions closely and become
convinced that he was the murderer.
Valdez was arraigned before Justice
Young yesterday afternoon and was re-
manded to Jail without bail to answer to
q charge of murder.
NrrYNHEN