Nevada Gov. kept thief out of jail

For The Madera Tribune

The Southern Lodge, proven on this 1905 {photograph}, was usually a quiet place. In 1903, nonetheless, the proprietor, J.M. Hambleton, grew to become an unknowing participant in one of many wildest scams that was ever tried in Madera. It’s a pity we don’t know the remainder of the story.

Historians must watch out about placing a interval on the finish of their tales. They virtually by no means get all the details. A chief instance of this may be present in a story I wrote a couple of years in the past. It was in regards to the “suicide” of Jack Barnes.

This week, whereas researching one thing else, I ran throughout one other wrinkle within the Barnes story.

The unique story started within the Southern Lodge, which was positioned on Madera’s North B Road on the flip of the century. More often than not it was enterprise as normal on the lodge. Friends checked out and in; meals have been served, and native gossip was exchanged within the parlor. In 1903, nonetheless, J.M. Hambleton, the proprietor, grew to become an unknowing participant in one of many wildest scams that was ever tried on this group.

It appears that evidently a sure man often known as Jack Barnes at one time made the Southern Lodge his house, however had just lately disappeared after breaking into a neighborhood courtesan’s room and stealing her clothes. The wished notices went out, however little hope was held for capturing the thief. Then in July of 1903, Hambleton acquired correspondence from Elko, Nevada.

J.J. Leary, who owned a lodge in Elko, wrote the letter. Leary knowledgeable Hambleton that one in all his roomers, Jack Barnes, had dedicated suicide within the Nevada lodge. In line with the letter, Barnes shot himself by the guts.

Leary instructed of Barnes’ arrival in Elko on the ninth of July and of a valise which adopted through the Wells Fargo stage from Sacramento. Leary wrote after Barnes’ loss of life that the valise was searched and its contents have been revealed. The consequences of the deceased included a discharge from the military dated June 30, 1901, a card bearing Hambleton’s title, and the handle of the Southern Lodge. As well as, Leary associated that Barnes had died with $75 {dollars} in gold and $4.35 in silver on his particular person.

Hambleton was urged by Leary to take the information to the Madera newspaper in order that the group could possibly be knowledgeable. The Nevada lodge operator was apparently unaware that Barnes was a wished man. Hambleton did as he was requested, and the Madera Mercury carried the headline, “Jack Barnes Suicides.” Many Maderans have been genuinely saddened on the tragic flip of occasions, for after his tour of obligation within the Philippines with the U.S. Military, Barnes had come to Madera and made a superb many buddies.

Shortly after his arrival right here, Barnes established the popularity of being a “hardworking younger man.” He apparently was fairly likable, however then issues started to bitter for him. He misplaced his good title when he started to hunt out “the society of dirty doves,” and on July 4, Barnes was accused of breaking into Jeanette Boswell’s room and stealing her garments. A warrant was issued for his arrest instantly.

After Hambleton took the announcement of Barnes’ suicide to the newspaper, “a lot of Jack’s buddies right here learn the account of how the previous Maderan, fearful over his fugitive standing, had executed away with himself.” The authorities have been about prepared to shut the case in opposition to the clothes-snatcher when Underneath-Sheriff Hensley grew to become suspicious.

Hensley suspected that the letter from Nevada was a forgery — that Barnes had written it himself in order that the legislation would take him off the wished listing. At about the identical time that Hensley was voicing his suspicions to Sheriff Jones, Mr. Hambleton was taking one other take a look at Leary’s letter. There was one thing unusually acquainted in regards to the appears to be like of it. The lodge operator went to his register and “turned to the web page the place Barnes had positioned his signature.” All doubts have been eliminated. The handwriting on the letter matched completely with the signature within the register. J.J. Leary was Jack Barnes!

When apprised of Hambleton’s discovery, Hensley and Jones wrote to the Elko authorities to inquire about Barnes’ suicide. The reply got here again that nobody in that city had dedicated suicide. The information confirmed the Madera lawmen of their suspicions, and “they instantly despatched out playing cards containing an outline of the wished man.”

On July 28, 1903, the authorities in Madera acquired phrase from the constable in Elko that he had positioned Barnes engaged on a hay ranch simply outdoors of city and will simply apprehend the lawbreaker. Sheriff Jones wired again that Madera County would stand the expense of capturing Barnes and bringing him again to Madera. Inside every week Barnes was caught and “safely stowed away in jail.”

The entire story above is true, however the issue is that it isn’t the entire fact. We have now extra to inform, nevertheless it nonetheless leaves us in search of the top.

When Sheriff Jones and Underneath-sheriff Hensley went to Elko, They discovered that Barnes was as free as a chook. The Governor of Nevada had refused to signal the extradition order permitting the Madera lawmen to take Barnes again house.

So, Barnes remained in Elko, engaged on a farm, whereas Jones and Hensley returned to Madera, and so far as we all know, that’s the place the rip-off artist remained.

Now, we’re going to resist the temptation to name this the top of the story. We nonetheless don’t know why the Governor refused to order Barnes’ extradition, so keep tuned; we by no means know what will flip up subsequent.