Los Angeles herald., 1908-10-06
NEGRO PRISONER
SET ON BY MOB
CONFESSES CRIME AND GETS
LIFE SENTENCE
OFFICERS HUSTLE HIM OFF TO
JAIL FOR SAFETY
Justice Wilbur Promptly Imposes
Heaviest Penalty Compatible with
Law, and Edwin Martin Is on
Road to Folsom

AS a result of the attack of an in
furiated mob in Justice AuStins court
Yesterday on Edwin Martin, the negro
who confessed to assaulting Miss
Edith Ralston at Hollywood Wednes-
day night and was sentenced to life
imprisonment by Judge wilbur, the
prisoner was hustled out of town in an
automobile at IL o'clock last night and
placed on the northbound train at
Burbank.
Sheriff Hammel and the officials at
the county Jail eluded the crowd OF
stragglers who hung about the jail
most of the night by taking the negro
out the back way and placing nm IN
the motor car. In the car with Martin
were Sheriff Hammel, Undersherin
Dishman and Deputies w. I. Woods
and w. H. Holman. The last TWO
boarded the train at Burbank and TOOK
the prisoner to Folsom. Two other
deputies got on at the Arcade station
and reserved seats in the smoking car.
While Martin was beinS led, shlVer-
ing with fright, from Justice Austins
court yesterday morning he was
yiciously attacked by w. S. De Bell'
said to be the sweetheart of the young
woman. The crowd that filled the
courtroom. eager for just such de-
nonstration, instantly spranS upon
Martin and threw him to the floor
The quick action of dozen ponce
officers alone saved Martins life.
In the melee H. P. Bryan, 60 years
old. of 300c Baldwin street, had ms
fingers cut in a door and +. X SWel-
CERT of 1345 De Long street was struck
on the head with a policemans bllly'
Both men were taken TO the receiving
hospital. where their wounds were
dressed
Rushed Off to Jail
Martin was then rushed through the
rear door to Austin's court by Detec-
4ives Glenn and Stevens and taken to
the city Jail where he was detained
for a few minutes Then, handcuffed
10 stevens, the colored detective VINO
arrested him, he was taken before
Judge Wilbur and Immediately SEN
fenced to life imprisonment at FOLSOM.
Fifty-eight minutes after Martin was
arraigned for preliminary examination
before Justice Austin he received the |
severest penalty that can re given for
the offense in this state. Were II not |
for the fear of the gathering croWu
about the county Jail, WHITTIER ne was
taken, he would have begun the Jour-
ney to Folsom within the hour. The
riot in Justice Austin's court showed
the temper Of the crowd,
and the iail officials were unwilling to
take the risk of exposing the negro IN
daylight again.
When Martin was brought into JUS
tice Austins court at $3.50 a. m. the
little room was already filled ana the
sidewalk was crowded with an angry
and curious mob. Little talk of lynch-
ing was heard, though many expressed
their convictions that such was the
proper retribution. When Glenn ana
Stevens brought their prisoner in the
Justice ordered all to keep their seats.
In a corner of the room sat MISS
inc
for support She was called to the
stand and told her terrible story IN
a faint trembling voice. When De-
tectives Glenn and Stevens, and the
conductor of the car on which MISS
Ralston and the negro rode Wednes-
Justice Austin held Martin for trial
in the superior court and fixed his bail
at $4,000.
Set Upon by Crowd
AS he was being hustled out of
court by the rear entrance the eX-
citement was intense. AS the terror
stricken negro, clinging to the officers
for protection, passed through the mar
row passage, De Bell suddenly sprang
from his seat and struck at Martin. De
Bell was instantly grabbed by dozen
who were on the alert for just
such an outbreak, and thrown back on
the bench. Other men, melted to riot
by the act OF lie Bell, SpIdHS ~ hdI-
tin, and a few had the satisfaction of
blows on his head, but they
were thrown aside by Detective Cline
and others and the negro was placed
safely in the city Jail.
When Martin was brought up for
trial before Judge Wilbur every seat
In the court room was occupied, but
there was no evidence of a repetition
of the riotous scene in the police
court being meditated. One man in
the room was searched by Bailiff
DOYLE for weapons. Martin was
brought in handcuffed to Under
Sheriff Dshman, and was accompanied
by a bodyguard, led by Sheriff Ham
mel.
He pleaded guilty and Detectives
Glenn and Stevens testified to the re-
voting confession made by the negro.
Miss Ralston entered the court room
while Stevens was on the stand and
was conducted to the judges chambers,
as she was on the verge of hysteria.
When Justice Wilbur was informed
that Miss Ralston was present, he
said, 'T do not wish to hear her tes-
timony." Then, turning to Martin, he
ordered him to stand and receive his
sentence.
Being asked if he had anything to
say, Martin mumbled: IT did not
drag her as far as they said 1 did"
He received his life sentence at Fol-
som with doWncast head.
&-Sp-