Q. Did he make this proposition of his own accord, or by the authority of the officials of the railroad company?
A. I could not say. I just said what Ammon said. Ammon mounted a bench, and he said the railroad company had made this proposition. Now, says he, "We have got charge of the concern, and we are capable of running it."
Q. Did you hear Mr. Ross make any proposition at all?
A. No, sir; It was Ammon's own statement.
By Mr. Means:
Q. Did Ross have any conversation with you as chief of police in regard the situation of things there?
A. Yes, sir. He wanted me to do all I could to keep matters quiet—keep them from committing any overt acts of violence, if I could.
By Senator Reyburn:
Q. Was there any disposition on the part of these men expressed to destroy property?
A. Well, I could not say that there was after I talked to them. The mayor had talked to them, &c. We counseled peace, and Ammon said, says he, "All that I am afraid of—we are going to hold the property. We will take care of it, we will protect it." I told him he was responsible for it. If he let it be destroyed the responsibility would rest upon him. I wanted to reason with him, as I seen he had control of the affairs.