January 3, 1899
It was a tough looking band of ten which compromised the chain gang which left the police station this morning in compliance with the order of Chief Lockart, to advance the improvement of the new city park. When brought from their cells into the chief’s office, they all had pitiful stories o tell of their past lives. One of them, in particular, was very much indignant over being arrested and vowed he would make the city pay dearly for it in a damage suit. He gave his name as Frank Linkey and said that he had a brother in San Francisco who was a prominent attorney and that he would see to it that the city of El Paso paid dearly for arresting him. He said that nothing less than $10,000 would heal the wound inflicted by the poisonous blade of the El Paso law. The chief leaned back in his chair and rather enjoyed the animated talk made by the man who claimed that his felling were bleeding buckets of blood, and assured him that every attention would be paid to his case. After the office was cleared the chief said that almost half the number on the chain gang today had been given a chance to get out of town. “One of them, in particular,” said the chief, “has been in here three times and every time he promised to leave town if he was released. I took his word for it but here he is again. I am getting very tired of this element and intend to make a round up every night and all I find will be put to work on the new city park grounds.” The chief told the men who composed the gang today that if they worked well and a good report was made of them this evening, he would release all of them if they would leave town on the first train. They all agreed to do their best and they will, in all probability, be given their liberty this evening.
In the estimation of the police both the Bridgers woman and the Paxton woman, who were arrested yesterday on a charge of theft from person and transferred to the county jail, will be given terms in the penitentiary. No more of the money stolen from the old man has been recovered. He was relived of $100 and $38 of this amount, as reported in yesterday’s paper, is in possession of the police.
There is a Richard Roo and John Doe on the docket this morning. Mr. Roo was fined $2 for being drunk and disorderly, while his doughnuts was picked up for being a common vag.
A chinaman by the name of Luis was arrested for riding a blind bike and was assessed $1 which he paid.
Henry blue was arrested by Franco for fighting and disturbing the peace and was fined two dollars.
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