Sacramento Daily Record Union

Watching a Criminal.

During the trial Thursday afternoon of the case of the People vs. Williams for grand larceny, one of the two defendants implicated in stealing a band of cattle, an incident was scored upon a member of the Bar which created considerable amusement for the others. Judge C. P. Goff, of San Francisco, who has been attending Court for several days past, and was waiting for the afternoon train to return to the bay, occupied a seat immediately by the side of the defendant on trial and watched with interest the proceedings. Mr. Dusenberry, of this city, had dropped in to hear the trial and occupied a seat in the window near the jury box, about six feet from Mr. Goff's. Some of the attaches of the Court and attorneys entered into a conspiracy to give Goff a parting salute in the shape of a joke, and accordingly one in the secret approached Dusenberry, and in a confidential manner asked him if he was going to remain in the room during the afternoon. Replying in the affirmative, the party stated to him that there was an important public service he could render if he would act in the capacity of Sheriff, as the regular Sheriff was busily engaged in calling witnesses, etc., and could not watch the prisoners in Court. Then, pointing to Judge Goff, he remarked that "that old rooster there is a very tough criminal and had several times evaded conviction for similar crimes by getting up unnoticed, while on trial, and leaving the Court-room; that he had broken from most of the prominent jails of the country," and adding other similar expressions, indicating that he was an exceedingly desperate and smooth character. Two or three others soon afterwards took occasion to call Dusenberry's attention to the same matter, and he cheerfully agreed to take upon himself the custody of the accomplished and wily criminal, and was warned to look out for his smooth pretenses. Accordingly he kept his eye fixed on him and watched his every movement. It was not long before Judge Goff had his attention attracted by the fixed gaze of Dusenberry, and he apparently thought there was considerable impertinence in the old gentleman, and seemed very much annoyed by the persistency of his stare. Goff, in due time, stepped to a window in the back part of the Court-room and looked out, and he was immediately followed by Dusenberry, who kept within holding distance, and was ready at a moment's notice to fasten on him. Goff, however, returned to his seat, and remained quiet for about half an hour, frequently looking at the clock to see what time he must leave for the train, and which looks Dusenberry interpreted as intended to divert attention to give him an opportunity to escape. Finally the Judge gathered up his cane and hat, and walked out of the door. Dusenberry looked at the Sheriff and then at the retiring counselor, to see if the former was watching the escaping prisoner, and seeing the Sheriff apathetic, he sprang to his feet and rapidly followed to the front door of the Court-house. At the foot of the inside stairs Judge Goff stopped and deliberately pulled out his tobacco, cut a pipeful and lit it, with Dusenberry at his elbow watching his man as a cat would a mouse. The Judge then started to go out of the door, when Dusenberry officiously put his arm in front of him, barring the door, and exclaimed in a voice of authority: "It's my duty, sir, as a citizen of this county to detain you. You can't leave this building; you are a prisoner." The Judge looked at him in astonishment, and said: "My friend, you are mistaken. I am Judge Goff of San Francisco, and I am going home." Dusenberry replied: "Oh, that's too thin, old fellow—you can't fool me; I've heard of your tricks, and you cannot come any of your former dodges for escape on me." Goff, after expending some expostulations, commenced to get mad for being detained, when the train was about to start, and essayed to use force, when Dusenberry called out in despair to several who had followed from the Court-room, and were standing at the head of the stairs, "Call the Sheriff, Charley Jones, Johnson, Hamilton and Davis—this man is trying to get away." The dilemma at this point was getting exceedingly warm, when Deputy Clerk Hamilton stepped up to Dusenberry and informed him in a low tone that it was all right now; that the prisoner had given a bond during the afternoon which had been approved by the Judge and he was now at liberty to depart. Dusenberry thereupon reluctantly resigned his charge and the Judge went off hurriedly for the cars, ejaculating something about d—d fools, too late for the train, etc., and wondering what there was in his appearance that justified such an uncomplimentary distinction from citizens of the Capital city.