Los Angeles herald., 1907-11-30
WITNESS IS
POISONED
TRINIDAD VAsQUEZ FALLS TO
STREET
is AID TO PROSECUTION OF AL
LEGGED REVoLUTloNIsTs
Defens Demands Expert Evidence on
Letters Said to Have Been
Written by Prisoners.
Delay Granted

Trinidad Vasquez, one of the principal
witnesses for the government in the trial
of the Mexican revolutionists, Villareal,
Magon and Rivera, fell yesterday after
noon in front of the police station, ap-
parently suffering intensely from poi
soning.
The man was hurried into the receiv-
ing hospital, where Drs. Tanner and
Wise worked over him. He was finally
relieved and was able a few hours later
to walk to his hotel.
Vasuuez cached Los Angeles week
ago from Arizona. He is staying with
Thomas Furlong, the secret service man
in the employ of the Mexican govern
ment. Vasauez is The main witness for
the prosecution against the revolution
lists Threats to do him bodily injury
should he take the witness stand, it was
said Yesterday, had been made by friends
of the Mexican prisoners, who charge
him with being a Mexican government
SPY, and close watch has been Kept to
keep him out of danger.
Since Vasquez' arrival he has been
under the direct care of Furlong, head
of the Furlong detective agency, en-
ployed to work on the case against the
alleged revolutionists. The men nave
been rooming, since their arrival in Los
Angeles, at the Hotel Trenton, 427 South
Olive street.
While Furlong was writing letters
about noon yesterday Vasquez left the
hotel, saying he was going to get some-
thing to eat. He returned in ten min
utes and me men left for the court.
AS they reached the entrance to the po-
lice station Vasquez threw up his hands
and fell to the sidewalk. Later he said
he had taken a lunch consisting of ham
sandwich, piece of pie, some cheese and
cup of coffee.
No Mexicans at Restaurant
Inquiry at the restaurant at 929 West
Fifth street developed the fact that Vas
quez had eaten there, but that there
were no Mexicans employed in the place
and nothing had occurred to arouse sus-
picion.
Because of the threats said to have
been made against Vasquez, the belief
was expressed by persons connected with
the prosecution of the Mexicans that an
attempt had been made to get the man
out of the way.
The physicians say there was evidence
of poisoning, but whether administered
Intentionally or taken with the food he
had eaten short time before he reached
the hospital coulu not be ascertained.
United States Commissioner William
N. Van Dyke, before whom the case is
being heard on motion to take them to
Arizona for trial, granted postponement
of the hearing yesterday on motion of
the defense for time to examine the evil
dence introduced by the prosecution. The
defense demands that some of the let
ters alleged to have been written by the
prisoners and identified as their hand
writing be examined by experts, intimit-
ing that some of the letters may have
been prepared for the purpose of evil
dence by agents of the Mexican govern
ment and detectives.
The defense also wishes to secure wit
nesses to contradic- the testimony of
Vasquez and prove the contention that
the alleged conspirators at Doug as.
Ariz., were not planning an armed in
yasion of Mexico
United States Attorney Oscar Lawler
opposed the postponement or the case,
but was overruled by Commissioner Van
Dyke. Attorneys Hartman and Holston
presented a list of the witnesses who
they expect to put on the stand.