Los Angeles herald., 1907-12-05
SLAYER OF PATROLMAN GAVE
ALIAS
ADMITS HIS RIGHT NAME is
DANIEL F. MEsKlL
Man Known as Harry Mitchell and
Partner in Crime Are Given
Preliminary on Murder
Charge


the murder of Patrolman p. II. Lyons
Saturday night last.
Robe and J,eshil, who was known until
yesterday as Harry Mitchell, were ar
raigned in Police Justice Chambers court
at 9 o'clock yesterday afternoon, and ex-
animation was set for Friday, December
g. at IL a. m.
That Mesxil came to Los Angeles with
the fixed purpose of committing crime is
now the belief of the police, and they
base this conclusion on the fact that the
man gave the name of Mitchell 10 tne
landlady of the rooping house at whlch
he first stayed, five weeks ago. Inc
detective burea" at police headquarters
which has a record of nearly every GRIM
inal of prominence, and especially of men
bound for or thought to be In Los An
geles, could find nothing yesterday to give
any inform tion as to Meskips past ca
reer in crime, and his apparent youth
would indicate that his experience In
nefarous acts has been of comparatively
short duration and brought 10 an ENG IN
it's infancy.
Crowds of people thronged the pollce
station yesterday from early morning
until late ir the afternoon, many hoping
while others were seeking information
regarding the two men.
Crowds See Prisoners
Applications to enter the Jail were nu-
merous, but this privilege was refused,
and it was not until 2:3O o'clock that
large crowd, which had gathered 10
watch the proceedings in court. had thelr
curiosity satisllei, both outside and in
side the station.
Meskil and Robe at that hour were
taken from the Jail through the main
entrance to the station, and thence to the
entrance which leads from the street up
the long flight of stairs leading TO the
different &C ,rt rooms and the prosecut-
ing attorney s office.
AS the men reached the sidewalk
number of photographers, who had been
waiting with their cameras ready for an
hour. snapped pictures of the two men
while they stood hesitating and blink
ing in the bright sunlight. The men were
not handcuffed, but were surrounded by
a number If officers in uniform and
plain clothes.
AS Meskil and Robe were ushered into
the court room there was stir among
the crowd of persons that filled every
seat and stood ranked about the walls,
and there was a general craning of necks
were being conducted to the prisoners
dock by two bailiffs, followed by num-
ber of officers.
Prisoners Nervous
As the prisoners sat together their ap-
pearance was one of almost utter deJec-
ton Neither man lifted his head, Mes
kips eyes steadily fixed on the floor or
on the stum2 of the index finger of his
left hand, tha: fateful mark of identi-
fication which was so useful to the police
in their search. Robe toyed with his
hat. a black felt of the style affected by
university studerts, while he seemed to
be in deep thought, his eyes watching
the headgear as he slowly twirled it
around in his fingers.
Robes face gave mute evidence of the
strain he has undergone during the few
days he has been in jail His face and
body are somewhat emaciated, While
deep lines furrow LIS cheeks which, eX-
cept for the tan accumulated in his out
door life while a boatman, are almost
colorless
His appearance was in strong contrast
to that of his companion, as they stood
up together at the judges command.
Meskil is a man of heavy frame and his
muscular development is phenomenal. A
large round head surmounts a neck bull
like in proportions, while his shoulders
are those of gladiator. The only evil
dence of nervousness he exhibited was
constant brushing back of the hair,
parted at one side and combed flat on
low forehead.
The two men answered with mods of
the head when asked if their names were
those of the men named in the complaint,
Robe only slancing at the court
Does Not Want Attorney
The complaint was then read. 1t was
sworn to by Anthony Connolly, who ef
fected the canture of Meskil. and charged
the two men jointly with having, with
malice aforethought, killed and murdered
p H. Lyons, a human being, on Novem
ber 80, 907"
The men were then told they were en-
titled to time in which to prepare for
examination
Robe, have ycu an attorney" asked
the court
mo" replied the prisoner, looking up
for the FIRST time.
"Have v :, Meskil?"
mo, not now" answered the larger of
the two r1en. He did not look up but his
voice, rough and somewhat defiant, could
be heard in ever, corner of the room.
Have you one in view?''
Don't ca: about having an attorney
Just now.
when viii you be ready for examina-
tion?"
'I am ready now
How about yol, Robe?"
when I can see my attorney" replied
Robe, tn tir-c apparently more con-
fldent.
rHave you anyone to send for an at
torney?"
mo; the court will have to appoint
one."
Examination Set
The court explained to the prisoners
the conditions under which an attorney
could be appointed, and after consulting
with City Prosecuting Attorney Fleming.
who has charge OF the case for the peo-
pie, examination was set for IL o'clock
tomorrow s1or7ing.
Robe and Meskll were then handcuffed
together and taken back to their cells.
The court room soon became almost
empty, he crowd rushing down stairs,
anxious to see the prisoners again on
their way to the Jail. They were. how
ever, disc pointed, as the two men were
taken back through the corridors lead
ing from the court room to the prison.