Los Angeles herald., 1909-10-18

500 on it and giving notes to cover
the balance due. Gilroy hitched up
his mules and drove to San Diego, ar
irving there October II. He sought
out M. D. Goodbody, contractor in
the southern city, and after making
several attempts to put his mules to
work finally made a sale to Good
body, taking in payment a sight draft
for 1915 This draft was to be pre-
sented in Oakland last Saturday.
Gilroy said in his confession that
he made an agreement with Goodbody
to get him a full carload of mules,
although it is believed Goodbody was
absolutely ignorant of the source of
Gilroy's supply.
Deputy Sheriff Wright traced Gilroy
to San Diego, but arrived there just a
few hours after he had left for the
north. Wright communicated with
Sheriff Hammel, and Deputy Mathew
son was hurried to Oakland on the
Owl Friday night to intercept the
clever thief.
Tries to Escape
When Gilroy walked into the bank
he seemed suspicious, and when he
saw Deputy Mathewson made for the
door. Mathewson got there first and
easily placed his man under arrest.
When searched a big six-shooter loaded
with cartridges was found on Gnroy.
In his pockets half a hundred more
bullets were discovered.
Il did not expect to be caught" said
Gilroy to Deputy Mathewson. And
was prepared to resist capture to the
last. l had decided to kill myself
rather than be taken alive, but you
got the drop on me, and I saw 1T was
no use to resist. My nerve failed me
or I would have blown out my brains
when I found 1 was trapped Saturday
morning"
Gilroy is a mild-mannered, soft
spoken man of 80 years. He has none
of the hallmarks of a criminal, and he
declares his present difficulties are the
first of a heretofore honest life of
earnest labor. He is unmarried and is
native of Pennsylvania. He came to
California nine months ago, working
at various occupations, principally
that of a car cleaner and repairer at
Tracy. He lived in Arizona for some
time before coming to California and
was employed in the mines there.
Will Plead Guilty
"I had worked and worked and
worked, and was never able to get
dollar ahead" said Gilroy when pressed
for an explanation of his detection
from the paths of honesty "I decided
that stealing horses would be easy. My
plan was to get a number of teams
and put them to work at 25 a month
I felt that that would be far better
than Shaving my life away and never
having two dollars in my pocket to
rub together. of course I will plead
guilty and take my medicine.
"It was exciting for time. but
when I got away with so many af-
fairs I thought I would never be
caught, and 1 got a little careless
That's why I was caught. It's all over
now, and I will be glad when l have
a chance to tell the court I am guilty
That viii relieve my mind consider
ably. I have no people who care
what becomes Of me, so I guess [
should have no regrets and no re-
morse"
Gilroy uses almost perfect English
and has many appearances of having
known refinement in past years As
he told his story to Sheriff Hammel
there was not a trace of the craven
in the man. He has used various
aliases, among them being Elias Gill
roy. Elias Diffenroder L. E. Diffen-
dorfer, P. r. Diffenderfer and James
Doffenberger.
Gilroy has accounts in the Citizens
National bank Of Los Angeles and the
oakland Savings bank, Oakland Most
of his cash he has spent, so that now
he has a deposit in the two places of
less than 500.