The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1899-11-29

against him. Sexton was arraigned III
the United States District Court IN
San Francisco and pleaded guilty 10
the first count in the Indictment anu
thereupon the second one was ols-
missed. Judge Ogden Hoffman sen
fenced Sexton to serve two years al
hard labor in the House of Correctlon
of San Francisco County.
Even as far back as 1885 Sexton, VINO
was then only 20 years old, aided by ms
wonderful nerve, managed to exercise
certain pull" and he rapidly rose III
the social scale at the House OF Correc-
ton and soon became head trusty.
WORKS ON PRESIDENT CLEVE-
LAND.
w. E. Hale, now Warden of San
Quentin Prison, who was then SherlH
of Alameda County, while on a visit to
the San Francisco prison, became ac-
quainted with Sexton, and the latter
so worked on the feelings of the Ala
media County Sheriff that Hale USED
his influence to have Sexton trans
ferred to the Oakland bastlle
On February 10, 1886, Sexton was
permitted to discard his convict garp
and was fitted out in neat store
clothes. His spirit was not broken
nor was his ambition stunted, for
few years later found him in WASH
ington. D. c., working his pull for an
appointment to a high position Ill
Alaska. President Cleveland signed MS
commission before the unsavory smell
of his reputation was waited to the
President and his identity disclosed.
EXPOSED BY MAX Pepper.
Sexton had gone to Washington early
in 1898, before the Inauguration OF
Cleveland, to make his fight for his
Alaskan appointment He wanted to
inspect the salmon industry Of Alaska
the position then being held by Max
Pracht. He won his way into the gooo
graces of Senator White and was by
him introduced to the Treasury De
partment, and on the strength OF thal
introduction and his own statement
that he was Senator Whites Secretary,
he was given access to all the papers
on file and had all of the privileges ac-
corded a Senator's Secretary. he
gained admission to the White House
and advised Cleveland about the DIS
position of California patronage, ana
was just about to receive his commls
sion when Max Pepper exposed him
and he was compelled to beat a hasty
retreat from the White House
VERY HANDY WITH BOGUS
CHECKS.
As a maker of bogus checks Sexton,
being an expert penman, is an artist
and many people in San Francisco,
Oakland and also in the interior can
testify to his ability in converting them
into ready cash. He succeeded on Oc-
tober %, 1893, in victimizing Lawyer
Robert A. Friedrich of San Francisco
to the extent of $500. On that occa-
sion he represented that he was civil
engineer and had close business rela-
lions with Senator James G. Fair. Let
tiers written on some of Senator Fairs
stamped stationery were exhibited in
proof of his position, and Sexton found
no difficulty in palming off two worth
less checks on the unsuspecting attor-
ney. One was made payable in thirty
days, the other in sixty. They aggre-
gated $500.
Geo. Haas, the Market street candy
manufacturer, has held one of Sections
worthless checks for $40 for three
years.
WORKS ON A. D. WILDER.
Owen Rooney, the restaurant man at
the Oakland pier, was also swindled out
of $50 by Sexton on a worthless check.
So glib of tongue is he, and so en-
pertaining, that he has for years man
aged to induce his victims not to prose-
cute him
When the strike broke out in 1894,
Sexton at once volunteered his services
to A. D. Wilder as a spotter, trainhand,
or in any capacity desired, and so i'm
pressed did Mr.. Wilder become with
this sleek rogue that even the warn
ing of James Hume, the veteran Wells
Fargo detective, could not deter Wilder
from installing Sexton in his private Of
flee as first assistant.
1t was then currently reported that
Sexton had Matched the scheme to have
Claim Agent A. V Herbert ousted in
order to obtain his position. Although
receiving a good salary, Sexton could
not keep from pursuing his criminal in
clinations and again put out worthless
paper Sexton would deposit a little
money in the Oakland banks. then
draw the money out and commence
drawing worthless checks. President
Huff of the Bank of San Leandro had
an experience with two of those checks.
One check signed by Sexton came down
from Grass Valley and was sent
through Tallant & Co., bankers in San
Francisco, for collection. When the
check arrived at the San Leandro bank
it was marked mo funds" and promptly
returned.
George Sporel a San Leandro tailor,
next suffered to the extent of SS7. In
this case Sexton represented that he
had large share in the terra Gotta
works near Stockton. The checks from
Pomona, drawn on the Central Bank
on Fourteenth street in Oakland, were
likewise returned as mo funds"
FOR ONCE OUTWITTED.
Shrewd and calculating as Sexton
was in his fraudulent dealings yet he
OakIander. He held Sections check on
the Central Bank for So. When he went
to the bank to cash the check he was
told it was worthless, as Sexton only
had "a to his credit. He asked to be
given the 81, but the cashier could not
do it on a So check. The man went
away, but soon returned and deposited
81 to the account of John E. Sexton.
Then he presented Sections check for
So and drew down the money. Sexton
was euchered out of 81 which he be-
lieved he could hold out
MORE CLEVER WORK.
Sexton, who had now become more
solid with A. D. Wilder. exercised his
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