The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1907-09-16
INNOCENT MAN
WILL co FREE
AFTER IS YEARS
Proof That William Evans
Was "Railroaded'' to
San Quentin
WAS VICTIM OF GREED
Deathbed Confessions Made
by Men Who Prose
cuted Him
LIED TO WIN REWARD
Friendless Logger Convicted
of Burglary on Per-
Jured Testimony

After having served 13 years
in San Quentin penitentiary, it de.
veloped yesterday that William
Evans, one of the convicts, is ar
innocent man. Proof positive
that he did not commit the
crime for which he was SEN
tenced is now in the hands oi
the proper authorities. The judge
who passed the sentence declares
Evans is innocent. the man who
prosecuted him made deathbed
statements that he was innocent, and
ln q short time Evans VIII be allowed
10. leave the penitentiary. minus Is
years Of life.
Against Evans were arrayed a num-
Der OF officials. eager TO share q large
reward offered for the conviction of
the perpetrator Of the crime. Despite
bis pleadings a jury found against him.
For Is years he has played the part Of
q convict For lS years he brooded
over the injustice which had robbed
him Of life. to know at last that his
innocence has been proved and that he
may take his place among his fellows
IS an equal
Early in 1884 daring burglary
took place in Amador county, the rob-
bers making away with a large sum
of money and a quantity OF valuables.
= reward was offered for their cap
ture and IN a short time Evans, a log
scr. was arrested. Evans had served
a short term in San Quentin once be-
fore on q similar charge. Concerning
this former affair he had declared that
he was drunk and entered a house
which was robbed that night The evi-
dcnce in this case was very slender
but il was sufficient to send Evans to
the penitentiary. When brought to
trial a second time. the fact that he had
served time weighed heavily against
him.
Confronted by a chain OF circum
stantisl evidence forged fraudulently
by his prosecutors. Evans could only
offer dcnials. But OF what avail were
the denials Of an ex-convict? He had
only his word against that Of the ON
GERS Of the law. and the latter won.
The jury found him guilty and Judge
l. Davis sentenced him to the peniten-
tiary for life. The prison door shut be-
hind him and Evans was blotted out of
existence.
The logger became a thing with a
number. remembered by few and cared
for b. none. Year after year he led
the life Of convict. The ranking Bit
torness and brooding at the injustice
Of il ali stamped themselves on his
features. but he worked on patiently,
quietly. hoping that some day some
thing would occur which would give
him back his liberty.
The something occurred when one
OF his prosecutors died short time
ago. Nothing definite was known. but
il was rumored that he had confessed
on his deathbed the railroading Of Ev-
ans 70 the penifentiary.
Evans had been forgotten. For years
he had been 2 number-nothing more
and there was none TO fight for him.
Then the rpmors started afresh and the
American sense OF justice and desire
for fair play resulted in the matter be-
ing taken to the proper authorities.
At a meeting of the prison directors
United states Attorney Robert T. Dew
Bn and Tirey L. Ford were appointed a
committee OF two TO investigate Evans
case: but Ford was engaged in lighting
Tor his own liberty, and Evans. in the
cells at san Quentin. was kept wait
ing.
In the meantime, Detective John n.
Thacker Of the Wells, Fargo express
company interested himself in the af-
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