The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-01-04
HIS RAW WORK
More About Policeman
Webb's Actions
HIS ATTEMPT AT ExToRTIoN
oUTwITrED BY HIS INTENDED
VICTIM
Things Beginning to Look Decidedly
Interesting for the Santa Monica
Ex-Deputy Marshal

Since the investigation into the official
conduct of Deputy Marshal Webb of
Santa Monica was started few days
ago, O great deal Of evidence Of DAM
aging nature has come to the surface. 1t
has been sworn to on the witness stand
that he used his position as an officer
In an attempt to extort money. The
charge Of receiving a bride Of 500 from
Asberry Feezell is only an instance in his
career while in Office.
The attention of The Herald was called
yesterday to an attempt which Webb
made last June to blackmail Mrs. Chris
tine Thomson, proprietor of the Casa del
Mar lodging house. Webb sent a man
into the house, who purchased two bot
ties of beer. AS soon as the liquor had
been delivered and the money received,
Webb stepped inside and told Mrs.
Thomson that he should have to place
her under arrest for selling liquor with
out q license.
Mrs. Thomson, telling the story yes
terday of what followed, said: webb
told me that the law would be very Sc
we're on me and that would probably be
fined $500 or 5000. He said that would
be prosecuted by both the city and coun-
ty and there was no telling where the
matter would end. He concluded by Of
fering to get the matter hushed up if 1
would pay him $50. told him that did
not have the money and could not pay
him that amount. He then said for me
to think the matter over until the next
day and he would call again.
After Webb had left called upon
Justice Guidinger and repeated to him
what had taken place. He advised me to
get two witnesses and place them where
they could overhead Webbs converse
ton when he called the next day. did
as he suggested, and when Webb called
had Mr.. and Mrs. Carran, who were
working for me at the time. hidden in a
closet.
webb first came into the Office and
asked me what had decided to do. 7
told him that I did not care to talk in a
place where we were SO likely to be over
heard, and suggested that we step back
into one Of the rooms. He complied, but
evidently suspected that something was
wrong, for he opened a door to see If
there was anyone in the adjoining room
before he would say anything, but did
not think to look into the closet.
He again asked me what had decid-
ed to do. and I told him that was una
BILE to pay him the amount he demanded.
He said that would have to pay him
something or else he would arrest me at
once. The more people he arrested, he
said, the better showing he would make
and the larger salary he would receive. !
He finally wound up by offering to let the
matter drop If would pay him $40. I
told him that guessed would do this, |
and walked to the closet as If to get the
money. When opened the door the two
witnesses had concealed there stepped
out. Webb turned all colors and left
saying a word.
"A few days afterward he swore out a |
for my arrest. The case came
up before Justice Wells and was ac-
quilted. told Justice Wells about what |
had occurred between Webb and my
self. but he did not seem to think much |
about the matter. The two witnesses
who were hidden in the closet are now
In Los Angeles and would testify against |
Webb IL their evidence is wanted"
Justice Guidinger said yesterday that |
It was true that Mrs. Thomson had told |
him of Webb's offer to hush up the case
against her If she would pay him $50. He |
had advised her to place couple of wit |
nesses where they could hear Webb's |
When the arrest was
made the case was taken before Justice |
Wells and he had heard nothing further |
about 1t except that it was finally dis
missed on a technicality.