WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1901
Last week, Fred Smith went to Hayden Hill to accept a position as engineer
in the hoisting works of the Juniper mine at that place. New machinery has
been put in and a large force of men is now at work in the mine. Fred has
many friends here who regret to see him leave Alturas and wish him success
in his new home.
Fred Roberts of Lookout is running the hoisting engine at the Golden Eagle
Mine, Hayden Hill.
A private letter received by Mrs. George Elliott from Bodie, states that her
husband was seriously injured by a cave in the mine in which he is working.
They had just set off a blast and on returning to work on the face of the
tunnel, an immense quantity of rock and dirt fell with crushing force upon
them. Mr. Elliott was the only one caught. His shoulder was knocked down
and one of his ribs broken and driven into his breast, besides receiving
severe bruises. His injuries, though serious, will not prove fatal. –
Alturas Plaindealer
Mr. and Mrs. Ollie Gibbins left for Alturas Monday; Mrs. Gibbins having been
subpoenaed as a witness in the Brown case.
Just as the Alturas driver was in the act of getting into the stage in the
barn Monday morning, the horses lunged forward, throwing the driver off and
the team then ran out of the barn and continued at a lively rate until they
reached the fence near the Wolfsen house, about a mile north of town. Here
one of the horses fell down, thus bringing the other to a standstill.
Parties who had started after them brought the team back to town and
fortunately no damage whatever was done.
G. D. Myers and family, who have been in Weaverville for sometime, have
moved to Redding. We did not hear whether they intend staying there or not.
TRIAL OF J. W. BROWN
Dec 11th – Both sides having announced their readiness to proceed with the
trial, the Judge made an order excluding the witnesses from the courtroom.
Judge Post for the prosecution then made the opening statement to the jury,
which was in substance as follows:
That on the 25th of last May there lived in this county, within a few miles
of the town of Lookout, Calvin Hall, James Hall, Frank Hall, Daniel Yantis
and Martin Wilson. That a conspiracy was entered into by the defendant J.
W. Brown, R. E. Leventon, Isom Eades, E. S. Trowbridge, Claude Brown, J. W.
Leventon, A. L. Colburn, Thomas Turnbull, R. L. Nichols, Fred Roberts, Wm
McDaniels and Orrin Trowbridge, which resulted in the arrest of the five
men, first on the charge of burglary and then for petit larceny. The
prisoners were brought to Lookout and their trial fixed for June 1st. On
the night of May 31st, the mob came and took the five prisoners and hung
them, four from the long bridge across Pit River and one from a small bridge
across a slough.
The introduction of testimony was then proceeded with and J. R. Myers, who
was Justice of the Peace at the time of the lynching, was the first witness
called by the prosecution. The record of Justice Myers was placed in
evidence showing that a warrant was issued for the arrest of Calvin Hall on
May 25th, 1901, on a charge of petit larceny and the subsequent proceedings.
Record also shows that on May 31st at 1:30 p.m. Court was called and Calvin
Hall was found to be dead; also that on May 25th, search warrant was issued
to search the premises of Calvin Hall to recover certain articles stolen.
There was no cross-examination by the defense as Mr. Myers’ testimony was
only the identification of the records of his court.
The next witness called was E. L. Carpenter. The defense objected to his
being allowed to testify n the grounds that in the opening statement, he was
charged with being a co-conspirator against Hall. Objection was over ruled.
Mr. Carpenter testified that he was constable of Lookout Township and that
on the 25th of May he served warrants of arrest on Calvin Hall and that he
was accompanied by Isom Eades and R. E. Leventon and that same warrant
commanded the arrest of Mary Wilson, Frank and James Hall, Daniel Yantis and
Martin Wilson.
Dec 12th – Examination of Carpenter continued. He testified that he left
Frank Hall, whom he had arrested, in custody of Leventon, Eades, Kresge and
Claude Brown; reached Lookout at one o’clock in the afternoon May 26th and
put three prisoners with others in hotel.
Calvin Hall was discharged on Monday following and rearrested that same
afternoon. Kept him in custody during day of 28th when he was released on
his own recognizance; never was arrested again by witness. Mr. Carpenter
went off guard on May 31st at about 1 O’clock in the morning and defendant
Brown took his place. Calvin Hall was not at this time under arrest. Mr.
Nichols was assisting Mr. Carpenter and they were believed between 12 and 1
by defendant brown and Sid Goyette and went up stairs in hotel to bed.
J. R. Myers was recalled.
Dec 13th – Nothing of important was developed from Mr. Myers’ testimony
except his statement that W. D. Morris was the only person he had ever heard
say that those men ought to be lynched.
Mr. Myers also stated that after the lynching occurred Morris bitterly
denounced the occurrence and said he would give $25 toward the prosecution
of the members of the mob because he was a friend of Calvin Hall.
Ira Cannon was the next witness called. He stated that on the afternoon of
May 30th, the day prior to the lynching, Judge Myers and himself went riding
and that during that ride Judge Myers spoke of lynching and said he was
afraid something like that might occur.
Next witness called was J. E. Kresge, who stated that on May 25th, he with
others formed an arresting party. The met him at his place and Leventon
asked him to go. Mr. Kresge then gave particulars of arrest about the same
as given by Constable Carpenter.
Dec 14th – Mahlon Cannon was the next witness called. He stated that he
knew W. D. Morris and that Mr. Morris had never made such statement to him
as Mr. Myers yesterday stated on the stand. Mr. Myers yesterday stated that
Morris had said that he would help hang those men.
The next witness was Robert P. Courtright, who testified that he saw the
men hanging from the bridge; he also stated that on the afternoon before the
lynching, he saw men in back room of Trowbridge’s store at Lookout in rope
department. That Mr. Myers, Mr. Potter and others were tying loops in rope;
he heard no talk around Lookout that day about lynching any of those
persons.
Raker here asked witness how much he expected to get for his testimony and
Court sustained an objection to the question made by the prosecution.
Courtright also stated that Jim Brown was nowhere near when men were
examining ropes. That he and Trowbridge, owner of the store and Jim Brown
were talking together. The other two men were standing near the door when
witness went into the store.
Defense claim that in Lookout, Mr. Courtright said that he knew some
evidence relative to Eades and Leventon and claim that he asked C. A. Raker,
one of the attorneys for defense, what there was in t for him, and Mr.
Courtright denied having ever made any such statements: also said that he
had never told Raker that he was not in this country for his health, nor did
he tell Raker that there was money in it for him on the other side if he
would go over to them. His examination was not finished when Court
adjourned.
This is the first evidence of any strength that has so far been developed
and created some sensation when given.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 25, 1901
Senator Hoar has introduced a bill in Congress to make lynching a Federal
crime.
D. C. Brownell returned to his home in Oregon Sunday, having received word
that his wife is sick.
S. H. Paulk left for Alturas last Friday as a witness in the Brown case, but
owing to sickness of his wife, returned home again last evening.
Dr. Bradshaw and Sam Boyd have been excused from attendance as witnesses in
Alturas and arrived here on the stage last evening in time to take in the
Christmas festivities.
The Supreme Court has rendered a decision in the case of Schloesser vs. Owen
et al., involving title to a mining claim – the King Solomon, situated at
Hayden Hill. Judge Kelley’s decision is affirmed and is in favor of
Schloesser.
Mrs. D. R. Brownell has been quite ill for a week or more and is still
confined to her bed.
O. A. Trowbridge and Mrs. Luima Norwood returned from Alturas yesterday
morning, having been excused for a time.
Tom Crowley arrived here from Washington Saturday for a month’s visit to
relatives and friends. Tom is now a prosperous farmer, his last acreage
sown numbering 1500.
Mrs. George W. Elliott and daughter, Miss Georgia, returned last Friday from
the lower country where they have been on an extended visit.
TRIAL OF J. W. BROWN
Dec. 16th – No session of Court in forenoon. In afternoon, five witnesses
from Fresno were examined. They knew defendant Brown from 1886 to 1893 and
all testified to his good character.
Dec 17th – First witness for the prosecution was Domingo Simas. He stated
he was in Lookout two days while Hall and others were under arrest and Judge
Myers told him, he was afraid they might be lynched. Also stated he had
talked to Post and Boyd, also with parties in Bieber about the case, but had
not told what he would testify before jury. Afterwards, he admits that he
talked with Post and Boyd about his testimony. Mr. Simas’ testimony was
very contradictory and Raker’s cross-examination was very severe and seemed
to rattle witness, who is an ignorant Portuguese.
In afternoon, examination of Simas was continued and after finishing his
cross-examination, Robert Courtright was again examined. Testimony of both
created great sensation. Mr. Simas denied part of testimony given in
morning. He said he can understand English but cannot understand Raker most
of the time. Also said he heard Isom Eades say in Morris’ store that they
ought to be hung, the names not being mentioned, later said Eades named the
five men under arrest. At this point, defense offered to prove that witness
had formerly lived with Mary Hall, so as to show his interest in
prosecution, but it was refused.
Robert Courtright was recalled and examined relative to a cow, which was
stolen and is supposed to have some bearing on the case. After he had been
examined for sometime, Raker offered to prove that the witness had been
impeached in a case at Lookout some twenty years ago. The offer was denied.
Raker then asked witness if it was not a fact that he had been impeached in
that case, to which witness replied: “that long hungry thing had tried it
but he had failed just like you will in same case.” Witness referred to
Attorney J. A. Brown, defendants’ uncle.
Dec 18th – Courtright was again on the stand all day, but little new was
elicited. He denied having that said he ever told judge Myers that there
was money in it for them and he thought he and Myers should stand in with
prosecution and get money out of it.
Dec 19th – Courtright was again on the stand for cross-examination. He
stated that he never said anything about halter ropes or splicing ropes and
record to that effect taken by reporter was error. Raker then stated that
record shows that witness had testified falsely. Witness rushed from stand
and struck at Raker, who struck him over head with and broke pointing rod.
Sheriff interfered and separated contestants. Witness then testified that
john A. Brown and Charles Auble and some other lawyers were following him
around listening to what he said since he had been in Alturas and that he
never went to Myers about rewards. Court ordered witness off stand during
cross-examination and half-breed child Agnes Wilson was nest witness.
She stated that she was present at arrest of hall and that defendant swore
at Hall and punched him in back with a rifle. That since she came to
Alturas she had talked over case with attorney for prosecution. First
testified that she had met but did not talk with Boyd at Bieber, but under
cross-examination denied that Boyd had told her and others that if she would
get evidence for prosecution that there would be money in it for them. She
also testified that none of them had had meetings in Lookout to discuss
case, neither did they at anytime in bieber discuss matters to anyone, then
stated she told Jim Boyd in Bieber about the occurrences at Hall’s arrest.
She said Boyd sent Wild Jack to tell her that he wanted them to come and see
him. Wild Jack, Captain Jack, Bieber Jim, witness’ mother and Boyd met at
Boyd’s house and talked over matter, Boyd said nothing about money to them
at this meeting.
Dec 20th – Agnes Wilson was on the stand under cross-examination. She
testified that she unhitched horses, they had used coming back from Bieber
and tied them to a post. Defendant Brown unhitched them from the post and
kicked them and they ran away. When they got home they, her mother and
herself, found things all torn open and upside down as they had been
searched by officers and people. She stated that she did not see officers
tearing things in house but knew they were torn up.
Dec 21st – Testimony of Agnes Wilson was continued, but little of
importance was gained, as defense are not able to mix her to any extent.
She testified that when arrest of Hall was made defendant Brown slapped her
mother and made her get off the wagon. Had some clothes tied on horse and
defendant cut the strings and threw clothes down. After he had searched the
clothes, he put them back on; states that defendant searched her mother’s
breast and lifted up her dress and buttoned down her clothes and looked all
over her. At same time, Robert Leventon searched under witness’ clothes.
Brown took all the guns, four in number. Brown felt in mother’s stocking to
see if she had anything. Felt down to shoe but not above stocking.
Harris was this afternoon arrested on complaint of Mary Lorenz on a charge
of assault with deadly weapon. She with several others were standing in
Laird’s drug store when Harris came in and made insulting remarks to the
woman, which she resented by knocking him down. He repeated the remark and
she knocked him down again. When Harris got up this time he declared fight
and his arrest followed. Harris is counsel for defense and the woman is a
witness for the prosecution.
Dec 23rd – In Superior Court this morning the case of Eades is set for Jan
13th, 1902, and Leventon case for Jan 27th.
First witness called was E. L. Carpenter and he testified about the
pistols, which were taken away from Hall and others. Next witness, who was
A. L. Colburn. He is the witness who testified before grand jury and has
since been kept in jail to prevent his leaving the country. Witness
declined answering questions on the ground that his answers might
incriminate him and on further questioning him, says he will refuse to
answer all questions even if they send him to jail for it.
Season's Greetings
~~~~~~
Billie C. & Anita 'Jean' Reynolds
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