The San Francisco call., 1898-03-12
Noted Crook Makes Con- feSSiOn to Save a
 Companion.
Assumes Responsibility for Burglary Charged to
 His Friend.
Tells a Straightforward Story of How the Crime Was
 Committed.
Special Dispatch to The Call.

SALINAS, Cal, March 11.-There was quite a sensation in the Superior Court late this afternoon when one not ed crook was put on the witness stand and testified most emphatically that he | was guilty of the crime of which an- other crook now being tried was ac- cused This testimony was great sur prise to all.
 Joseph White, the witness who was so willing to take the responsibility off one mans shoulders and admit that he himself was guilty, is well known in several parts of this State as an all- around crook. Only last week he was tried in the Superior Court on charge of burglary, but after the jury had been out for twenty-four hours they failed to bring in verdict. When he was about to regain his liberty, as the charge would not have been pressed. he volunteered to go on the stand and testify in favor of Charles Johnson, alias James Ryan, the defendant in the present case.
 White testified this afternoon that he burglarized the home of James Frazier in Pajaro Valley, on or about August 29, 1897. He told a straightforward story of how he and another man en- tered the house about II o'clock at night, he going upstairs and doing the work, while his pal remained outdoors on watch. He told what was taken, described the house, premises and surrounding country, and. in fact, gave all the material points to show conclu- sively that he was indeed the guilty party. In crOss-examination, however, the witness was Stumped on the minut- est details.
 The whole testimony was like a thunder-clap in a clear sky. Ut was at time, too,. when the prospects for the accused mans acQuittal seemed very slim. The testimony offered by the District Attorney and Detectives Dillon and Ivan of the San Francisco police, together with the defendants past character, was indeed damaging to his case.
 Detective Ivan testified that he had arrested James Ryan, who then went by the name of James McDumott, on charge of grand larceny February H.. 1884, and that about an hour after his arrest charge of burglary was also placed against him. He was sentenced to San Quentin for five years on April "A. 1884.
 Detective Dillon was put on thestand. lho eCoSiiiCo tidb dDOut IWO IiODlho after Ryan was released from San Quentin he arrested him on a charge of burglary. Ryan gave his name then as Charles Johnson, and was convict ed and sentenced to ten years in Fol- som on September 29, 1SS9
 The present charge is for burglary committed August 29. 1897. Ryan was captured in San Jose by Chief of Po- lice kidward. who testified to-day that he caught the man with burglar tools upon his person. White, the man who to-day admitted the guilt of the crime with which Johnson is accused, was captured in Chualar, but escaped and was retaken near San Juan. On De- cember White and Johnson made a clever escape from the county jail in this city by locking two deputy sheriffs in Jail and taking the key with them. White. however, was captured in San Francisco, after having about two weeks liberty. Johnson was retaken about three weeks later.