The San Francisco call., 1905-08-24
CONF FESS[S ALL
TO THE JA|LER
James Crowhurst, Member of
Fruitvale Gang, Expresses
Desire to Plead Guilty
is HELD TO ANSWER
Edward Stanley Narrates
How He Was Held Up by
Defendant and Pembroke

OAKLAND, Aug. 23.-Fearing to face
the punishment for his crimes that he
knows must come if he is found guilty of
the charge against him, James Crow
hurst, the acknowledged leader of the
gang OF young truitvaie thugs who ended
a carnival of petty crimes with the MUIR
der Of Thomas w. Cook, broke down and
made full confession in writing to Jailer
Harry Clark at the County Jail this
morning just before he was taken to East
Oakland for his preliminary hearing on a
charge of highway robbery. In his con-
fession CrowhuIst also agreed to plead
guilty when his case was called in the
Superior Court. and expressed the hope
| that on this account he would be le-
niently dealt with py the Judge whose
duty 1t was to impose his sentence.
Crowhurst was not represented by
counsel when. his case was called in JUS
tice of the Peace Geary's court, nor did
he attempt to make any defense in the
preliminary hearing. The only witnesses
examined were Edward Stanley, who was
held up and robbed by Crowhurst and
Percy Pembroke on the night of October
s, 1904 and Sheriff Frank Barnet. to
whom Crowhurst made. a partial confes-
sion after he was arresteu Stanley testi-
fled that he was on his way home from
the barber shop in which he was en-
ployed when he was stopped by two
men, who thrust revolvers into his face
and forcing him to throw up his hands
relieved him of s25. Stanley was unable
to positively identify Crowhurst as one
of the men who held him up, but as the
latter has confessed that he was one OF
the pair this is of minor importance.
BOYS PLAN HOLD-UP.
Sheriff Barnet testified that the accused
had confessed to him that the hold-up OF
Law bod nj and ed
by Pembroke and himself. The Sheriff
said that Crowhurst had told him that
Pembroke had endangered both their
lives on this occasion by holding his re-
volver so close to the victim that the lat
ter could easily have snatched 1t from
his hand and shot both of them had he
not been too much frightened to attempt
any defense.
In the written confession he gave to
Jailer Clark, Crowhurst denied that he
was the leader of gang of youthful
criminals banded together for self-protec-
ton, but said he had simply organized a
club of his friends. He said that the pur-
pose for which the. club was formed was
to engage in athletic training and out
door sports. In explanation or the mys-
terious letter engraved on the badge worn
by the members of the band. and which
bore the legend f'Jim Crow Gang, Crow
hurst said that they stood for kindness,
I
nobility and allegiance" Several boys
who are we'll acquainted with the mem
bers of the gang say, however, that the
letters stand for an obscene expression,
entirely different from the translation
given by the leader of the Jim crows.
DESIRES no PLEAD GUILTY.
Before the opening of the preliminary
hearing Crowhurst told District Attorney
Allen that he did not desire to put the
county to any more expense in his case
and would plead guilty when 1t was
called in the Superior Court. He said
that he did not desire the services OF an
attorney, and he asked no questions OF
the witnesses who testified this morning
At the conclusion of the hearing Judge
Geary held the accused for trial in the
Superior Court and fixed his bail at $4,000.
Not being able to raise this amount
Crowhurst was committed to the Gus
tody of the Sheriff and was taken back
TO his cell in the County Jail. He ex-
hibited neither surprise nor grief when
held to answer.
The preliminary hearing of Percy Pem-
broke. another member OF the gang
charged with the murder OF Cook, was
to have been held tomorrow morning.
but on account of other business Attor-
ney Lin S. Church, who is to conduct
Pembroke's defense, will ask that tho
matter be continued for one week.