The record-union., 1899-11-05
TOWNSEND HERE At LAST.
MISSING WITNESS HAS COME
FROM OAKLAND.
Though Brought by the Sheriff, He
Will Probably be Warmly
Welcomed.

JeueISOH w AcoASou, QeceaSeQ, TO recOV-
er $150,0OO for services rendered under
an alleged contract entered into in
1879, still appears to be several days
off.
The trial of the case was commenced
on Thursday, October 18th, and the
plaintiff rested on Thursday, October
26th. Before doing so, however, Grove
L. Johnson, one Of her attorney, an
nounced that there was one other i'm
portant witness he would like very
much to call. The name of the absent
witness was w. H. Townsend. On Tues
day the plaintiff received a telegram
from him announcing that he had on
that date left Oakland, his place of resi-
dence, for this city. to testify in the
case, but that he had not since been
heard of. though on each day since the
receipt of the telegram, his name had
been called by the Sheriff The testi-
mony of the witness, he said, would be
very important and material The
plaintiff would, if she knew the where
abouts of the missing witness, produce
him in court. Not having that knowl-
edge, the attorney reserved the right TO
place the witness on the stand hereaf-
ter, in case he could be found before the
case closed
w. H. Townsend's. failure to appear
has got him into trouble, and last night
he was lodged in the city prison by
Sheriff Johnson, who or Friday went
down to the city of colleges after him.
AS a matter of fact, w. H. Townsend
was never subpenaed in the case, and
therefore could not be held in contempt
of court but there is a slight pecun-
iary transaction behind the matter
which may be inquired into.
On Saturday, October 21st, Miss Aus
tin received the following letter from
Townsend. which is self lf-explanatory:
Oakland, October 90 1899.
Miss Amanda Austin:
Dear Madam. After reading in the
newspapers the cause of your suit
against the heirs of your uncle, Jeffer-
son Wilcoxson, I am convinced that I
have evidence Of the utmost Importance
to your case.
Having been in the employ of Stovall
& WilcoxsOn some time ago. and as
my father was a friend of Mr. Wilcox
son, became quite we'll acquainted
with him, as his nephew, George Will
coxson, can testify, and also to the con-
versation we had in his office a short
time previous to his last illness, as he
was present and also gave me a letter
of recommendation. as did his uncle,
both of same date
While reaching in the safe for some
article paper-back book, with paper
money between the leaves, and a letter,
We're accidentally knocked to the floor,
and while gathering them up I made
the remark: THAT is a strange place
to keep money"
Mr.. Wilcoxson said: YES, that Is
SO; and it shows what great confidence
I have in George, for it represents a
legacy to. one who has spent the bet
ter part of her life in my services, and
that letter contains my last instructions
to her."
Those, or words to that effect, I can
prove by certain events that took place,
and I defy George Wilcoxson to deny
it. Also I read on the envelope the
name of Amanda P. Austin, in a Pc
culiar, small, crude hand
am at present employed here, but
will come to Sacramento at once If
you think I can be Of any use to you.
Will expect you to pay me for the time
will lose and expenses. AS my wife
is the cause of my telling what I know.
will take her with me. If you will
send $40 by letter, I will come.
For references of myself, will refer
you to E. P. Colgan, State Controller.
Secretary of State Curry, and his as
sistant, L. A. Norton, Jr.
Hoping to hear from you immedi-
ately, am yours respectfully,
W. H. TOWNSEND.
Grove L. Johnsons statement in
court that he deemed the witness an
important one, was emphasized by the
fact that on receiving the letter he
opened telegraphic communication with
Mr.. Townsend with a view to securing
his attendance in court Townsend re-
sponded readily, and the upshot of the
matter was that Miss Austin forward
ed the $40 to bring Townsend and his
wife to this city.
On receipt of the money Townsend
sent the following telegraphic reply:
Oakland, October "a, 1899, GIL p. m.
VIII try to start tonight. Morning
certainly. W. H. TOWNSEND. /
But the morning came and did not
bring Townsend, and an inquiry di-
rected to the agent of the Postal Tele-
graph Company brought the reply:
Left last night on Oregon express.
Have not seen him since.
MANTALEN. (
But Miss Austin was not satisfied.
She wanted to find out what had be-
come of her $40, and with that end in
view she swore to a. complaint charg-
ing W. H. Townsend, alias John Doe,
with the crime of obtaining money un-
der false pretenses, and the warrant
issued was the authority on which
Sheriff Johnson, after arriving at Oak
land, located and arrested the much
wanted man.
On his arrival here last evening
Townsend was seen by a Record I'm
ion'' reporter. He is neat, gentleman
ly appearing. good-looking man, not
over 25 or 26 years of age, and was
inclined to speak lightly CONCERNING his
arrest.
Eyes" said Townsend in reply to a
question, IT wrote the letter, and I
intended to come up here It was like
this: The last telegram I received
from Grove L. Johnson was to the eff
feet that if I could not get here the
next monring not to come at all, as it
would be too late. 1t so happened that
I could not come the next morning, and
so took him at his word and did not
come at all.
"Oh. yes." continued Townsend, 'sI
have his telegram, and my wife. who
will come up tomorrow or Monday