The San Francisco call., 1904-06-01
BILL COLLECTOR
FREES PRISONER
Howard K. James Turns Man
He Had in Durance Over
to an Authorized officer
PRICE TELLS HIS STORY
District Attorney to Make an
Investigation of Peculiar
Action of Alameda Man

ALAMEDA, Nav 81 George L.
Price, who asserts he was brought tc
this city from Burson. Calaveras
| County, under false pretenses by How
ard K James, bill collector, and kept
a prisoner by him for three days, was
turned over TO Constable George E
Clarke this morning by James when
I the latter became aware that his pecu-
liar method of trying TO secure money
from Price BY depriving him of his
liberty had reached the public.
Price spent last night at James
house as well as the two preceding
nights. This morning when be arose
he was told by James to go to Pearl
street and Central avenue, where he
would meet some one who was looking
for him. Price did as he was ordered
and was taken into custody by Con-
stable Clarke on a warrant that had
been sworn to by F.. NJ. Lowe of the
firm of Lowe & Filkins, in which Price
is charged with petty larceny.
This warrant was issued by City
Justice r. b. Tappan on May 81 and
given to James. who. although not an
officer of the court, took the document
TO Calaveras County and through it's
use persuaded Price to accompany him
To Alameda The warrant was not
given TO Constab BILE Clarke. according
10 that official, until Sunday night. two
days after ii had been issued. and the
constable affirms that the bill collector
did not tell him that Price was in Ala
media.
PRICE is DETAINED.
Prices bail was fixed at $3.50 cash or
$500 bonds and as he was unable to
secure II to-day he was detained at
the police station. Joseph G. Price.
father Of the man who asserts that
James terrorized him for three days
complained to the District Attorney s
Office to-day about the high-handed
proceeding of James and asked for
warrant for his arrest for false i'm
prisonment. Deputy w. H. L. Hynes
has been detailed TO investigate the
matter and to-day the City Justices
Court came in for some censure from
Hynes. who expressed surprise that a
warrant for persons arrest should be
given TO one not authorized to serve
the same.
Up TO tonight the District Attorney
had not decided whether he should is
sue warrant for the arrest Of James.
but If he does not the entire matter
probably viii be called to the attention
OF the Grand Jury. In relating his ex-
perience while in the control of Bill.
Collector James. young Price said:
James found me at Burson and informed me
that he had warrant in his pocket for ny
arrest and that II q could not raise about
SoOV from my wifes relatives living near
Burson 10 pay my debts ! had better accom-
psny him back TO Alameda and cause him
no trouble. said that 1 had no money with
which 10 pay nay fare and James replied
~Oh, that lie all right. The State will pay
our expenses. He said that IL / refused 10
go with him he would be. justified in tying
me I'D and taking me by force
MYSTERIOUS ACTIONS.
Rather than get into jail 1 consented to
accompany him. When we arrived in Ala
media Saturday ne said I would have 10 90
with him TO his house and that ] must keep
out OF sight and away from the windows. az
he did not want any one 10 know that / was
ordered to ride outside 50 that people
In the light the inside would not recognize
me. he compelled me 20 give him the KEY
to my store. He tried 10 persuade .rne n
use every effort TO induce my wife's relatives
TO raise $500 by mortgaging their ranch and
stock and said that if I could do. this he would
fix things up easy:
He continually remarked while I was de-
tanned at his house, Isn't this a better place
than JaiI2' Whenever he would leave the
house he would telephone back to his wife
9 bout every fifteen minutes 20 make sure that
I was there and that I was not exhibiting
I have been imoosed upon and made a dupe
OF by James l Intend TO see what recourse
have
James endeavored to obtain a signed
statement from Price in the City Pris-
on generating him of the accusation
that he had restrained Price of his
liberty. but the young man would not
word ii the way James desiied and the
effort went for nauPht