Los Angeles herald., 1907-05-04
BAREFOOT BURGLAR
is FOUND GUILTY
FER FRIENDS WILL TRY TO
81 LlBERATE HIM
Giant Negro Is Watched with Utmost
Caution, and Guard Will Be
Maintained Until After
Sentence

James G. Fleenor the giant negro
barefoot burglar was yesterday found
guilty on one of the fifty-one indictments
against him. jury in department one
of the superior court found the negro
guilty. He will be sentenced this morning
by Judge Smith.
The negro was taken back to the
county Jail under an escort of ten Of
ficerS, because of the fact that earlier
in the day Sheriff Hammel heard rumor
to the effect that an attempt at rescue
would be made. No rescue was attempt
ed, however, although there were dozen
or more suspicious looking characters
about the court house entrance when
Fleenor was taken out.
During the afternoon yesterday the
crowd in the. court room became aware
of the fact that something unusual was
liable to happen. Fleenor, the giant on
trial for burglary, was known to be the
leader of one of the biggest gangs Of
In great demand by the other members
of the gang. When he was first put
in the county Jail the sheriff frustrated
an attempt on the part of his friends TO
pass revolver and some cold saws in to
him.
Prisoner Well Guarded
Those same friends by some mysterious
way got word to Fleenor yesterday to
keep his eyes open on the trip back from
court, that something might happen. The
sheriff received the tip from another
source, but nothing was said to Fleenor
about 1t. Yesterday when the black man
was taken to the court room for the after
noon argument he was heavily guarded.
Sheriff Hammel put in his appearance
during the afternoon and quietly seated
himself near the prisoner. Jailer Martin
Aguirre, a former warden of San Quen-
tin penttentiary, also entered the court
ROOM Two deputy sheriffs stationed
themselves near the prisoner, while sew
eral others unostentatiouSly took up po-
sitions in the crowd.
If there had been a move in behalf OF
a rescue there would have been dead
prisoner right there on the spot, accord
When the jury brought in a verdict of
guilty Fleenor bowed his head as If in
deep humiliation, but his eyes Travelled
out through the crowd and his d5 HANDS
like tiger about to spring, awaiting the
first sign or sound of rescue. The court
room was cleared before Fleenor was al
lowed to move from his seat, and even
his attorney drew away from him to give
the officers a better chance. Deputy
Henry put the cuffs on the man while
Sheriff Hummel stood by ana Watcmea o1
would have had to fight ten men to get
away.
on the way to the elevator the officers
were thick In the corridor, but only three
entered the elevator. When Fleenor left
the cage on the first landing the officers
again made their appearance; having
walked to the bottom floor and awalteu
the appearance of the prisoner.
Take Arms of Giant
Just outside the court house door the
officers closed in. A crowd OF hundred
or more men stood about the entrance,
and when Fleenor saw them the peculiar
expression of rage came over him again;
AT that instant the two depuues moVeu
in closer and each caught hold of one OF
e 7Sheriff fIammel placed his hand sug-
Aguirre smiled pleasantly, as though II
would have been the delight of his life
to let the fireworks loose. The other dep
uties formed Gordon about the prisoner
and marched him to the county jail
where he was locked up in his cell. The
same precautions will be taken today.