The Saga of James R. Coffee, aka Harry Fletcher
Copyright ©2002 by Jack K. Coffee
James R. Coffee was convicted of Murder in the First Degree by a jury in Texarkana, Miller Co., AR on Dec. 19, 1889. He escaped from jail on Dec. 20, 1889.
From Arkansas Gazette, August 16, 1889
Jim Coffee is confined in the Hempstead County jail on the charge of murdering his cousin, Fred Coffee, a month ago, near the Howard County line. The evidence against the prisoner is all circumstantial, but the feeling against him is so strong that it was pretty well understood a mob had been organized in the section of county where the murder occurred to take the prisoner out and hang him. This came to Sheriff Holman's ears and he removed the prisoner, but the mob failed to show up at the appointed time.
From Bakersfield, Kern County, CA Daily Californian, Jan. 11, 1904
Arkansas Officials
Want H. R. Fletcher
Arrested for Murder Said to Have
Been Committed Fourteen
Years Ago
Harry R. Fletcher, a well known employee of the Kern County Land Company, who has resided in Kern County for nearly fourteen years, was arrested last night by Deputy Sheriff Tower on a charge of murder under instructions from Sheriff Dillard of Texarkarkana, Ark. The crime is alleged to have been committed nearly fifteen years ago and while details are lacking, it is said that Fletcher, whose right name is reported to be James R. Coffee, killed his cousin, Fred Coffee, in Hempstead County, Arkansas, in 1887 or 1888, and that he successfully broke jail and has been a fugitive from justice ever since. Fletcher, or Coffee, as the case may be, has a mother residing in this city and likewise a sister, Mrs. B. H. Bell, whose husband is a barber in Modesto Aro's shop in the Niederaur building. Bell freely avers that it was through his instrumentality that Fletcher's whereabouts were made known to the Arkansas authorities, and he gives as a reason for his action the fact that Fletcher recently made trouble for Mrs. Bell.
The arrest of Harry Fletcher or James R. Coffee and the facts leading up thereto, for a chapter that sounds more like a dime novel story that one in every-day life. Fletcher has been known for many years in Bakersfield where he has been more or less steadily in the employ of the Kern County Land Company in the building department. He is a carpenter by trade and has been one of a number to go to Lake Tahoe and other points where work was being done for the president of the company, W. S. Travis.
Fletcher during his employment here has been saving his money and he recently purchased from the Land Company a house and lot on E Street near Twentieth. To this home he lately brought his mother and sister, Mrs. B. H. Bell and more recently still, Mr. Bell, who was residing in El Paso, joined his wife here. Bell says that all was not harmony in the household, and that Fletcher did not treat Mrs. Bell right. Resenting this treatment of his wife Bell notified the officers in Bakersfield and those in Texarkana that J. R. Coffee, wanted for murder in the latter place, was none other than Harry R. Fletcher, for fourteen years a resident of Bakersfield.
Sheriff Kelly opened a correspondence with the Arkansas officials a few days since. Based on the information given him by Bell and his wife, a telegram sent to Washington, Hempstead county, where the alleged crime is said to have been committed, was unanswered, but a letter written to Texarkana by Deputy Tower met with a ready response and last evening the sheriff's office was directed to arrest J. R. Coffee, wanted for murder and to wire when arrest was made.
Fletcher was found last night by Deputy Tower and taken into custody. He went willingly with the officer but declined to make any statement regarding his case. He announces a determination to fight any effort to take him back to Arkansas, but declines to give any details of the alleged crime, if he has any knowledge of it.
Fletcher was seen at the county jail this morning just as he had finished breakfast, which had been sent up to him from a restaurant. He was visibly nervous by reason of his arrest, but he refused to make any statement concerning the matter. So far as pertained to the alleged crime he said:
"I have lived in Bakersfield and vicinity for fourteen years. I came here as a boy and am now 29 years of age. Everybody here knows what my conduct has been and I want to be judged by my record here."
Mr. Bell, the brother-in-law said that Fletcher or Coffee is considerably past thirty. In discussing the matter he said:
"I have no regret for my part in this matter. It is a case in which I think I had done only my duty as a citizen."
Prior to the time of his arrest and to some of his friends Fletcher has admitted the he was in trouble in the South and that he cut a man severely. He claimed, however, that the deed was done in self-defense and the first intimation that the public had that the quiet, unassuming man, if indeed he be the man wanted, was a fugitive from justice was today, when it was learned that he was in jail on the charge of murder.
It is said that a reward of $700 was offered for Fletcher or Coffee's arrest at one time, but whether this offer is still good is a question.
From Bakersfield, Kern County, CA Daily Californian, Jan. 14, 1904
Fletcher is Reticent
He Denies, however that he
is guilty of wrong
doing
He speaks of His Brother-in-Law
With no Display of Ill
Feeling
Harry R. Fletcher, or James R. Coffee, as his name may be, continues a prisoner in the county jail, where he is awaiting the arrival of officers from Arkansas. He still declines to say anything about the alleged crime laid at his door by his brother-in-law. In fact he denied all knowledge of it when seen by a Californian representative at the jail this morning.
"I think the people here know me well enough by this time to judge of me," he said, "and I don't care to make any statement. I was only a boy when I left the East and came to Bakersfield fourteen years ago on the 18th of September. I will let others do the talking."
After some further questioning however, Fletcher asked:
"Do you know what the charge is that they have got against me anyway?"
He as told that he was charged with having killed his cousin, Fred Coffee, in Arkansas fourteen years ago that that his brother-in-law, B. H. Bell, had given out the information that lead to his arrest.
"Well, he doesn't know what he is talking about," the prisoner said with some manifestation of surprise. "I don't know why he should have told such a story."
When questioned on any further points connected with the alleged crime Fletcher became reticent and referred the reported to his relatives and his former employers. When finally asked the direct question if the story of the crime was entirely false or now, however, he answered that it was false. He expressed a wish to see his brother-in-law, but did not speak of him with any display of anger or ill will.
Fletcher complains of being ill and it is plain that he is nervous. He spends [illegible] around his cell.
The Sheriff's office has been adviced that officers have [illegible] from Texarkana to cake charge of Fletcher [illegible].
From Bakersfield, Kern County, CA Daily Californian, Jan. 14, 1904
BELL DEFENDS
HIS COURSE
BROTHER-IN-LAW TELLS WHY HE
GAVE FLETCHER
UP
Says he looks for No Regard and
Would Not Accept
a Cent
The following is a communication written by B. H. Bell, brother-in-law of H. P. Fletcher, or J. R. Coffee:
To the Public: In my behalf in regard to my brother-in-law, James R. Coffee, alias Henry [sic] R. Fletcher, I did not turn him over for any regard and would not accept a cent for doing so. I gave him up because he mistreated my wife in my absence, and when I married into the family I did not get a blanket to cover up murder and I carry no shield for such crimes.
The papers have had something to say about Coffee alias Fletcher bringing his mother and sister here. He did nothing of the kind. He got what money they had when they arrived and then he began to threaten the he would kill them [illegible] him over to the authorities and I have it from his own lips that he did kill Fred Coffee. He has also told his other relatives and I have it from him that he escaped from jail at Texarkana, Ark., just before he was to receive his sentence.
I am a barber and am at work at 1042 Nineteenth street. I am from Scottburg, Ala., and as to who I am I will refer any one to Sheriff D. O. Austin, Judge C. L. Cargille, Judge J. H. Brown and Hon. John B. Talley, all of that place.
Very respectfully
B. H. Bell
From Bakersfield, Kern County, CA Daily Californian, Jan. 17, 1904
COMING FOR
FLETCHER
ARKANSAS OFFICER EXPECTED
HERE TOMORROW AFTER
ALLEGED FUGITIVE
The Latter Says Little But has Declared
He Will Fight Extradition
An officer from Arkansas is expected to arrive here tomorrow to take charge of Harry R. Fletcher or James R. Coffee, who is charged with murder alleged to have been committed in Arkansas fourteen years ago. So far as known Fletcher has made no preparations for his defense but has declared that he will fight any attempt to take him back.
If he carries out this threat it will be some little time before the officer and his prisoner will be on their way East, if indeed they go at all. Just what grounds he will fight the case on are not known, as he has had little to say since his arrest. He is very nervous and spends much time pacing back and forth in his cell. He is not confined in the same portion of the jail as the other prisoners but occupies a cell reserved entirely to himself on the second floor in the front part of the building.
His brother-in-law, B. H. Bell, has in his possession a number of letters alleged to have been written by Fletcher at different times in which reference is made to the fact that the writer's true name is James R. Coffee and not Harry Fletcher. In some both names are signed to the letter. In others the initials of one name are given before the signature, and the tone of them would appear to indicate that the writer has something to conceal. Bell has also several pictures of the prisoner, one of which is an excellent likeness and bears the name James R. Coffee on the back, in handwriting which Bell says is the prisoner's. Under the name is written "Washington, D. C.: and Bell says this was taken during a visit which Fletcher paid to the national capital some years ago. Bell has another picture showing Fletcher or Coffee as he is said to have appeared when he is alleged to have broken out of jail. At the time he was little more than a boy.
While Fletcher came to Bakersfield fourteen years ago and has called this his home ever since, his brother-in-law says he has been East several times and visited different parts of the South during this period and that he served in the army during the Spanish war.
From Bakersfield, Kern County, CA The Morning Echo, Jan. 19, 1904
[Note: the first paragraph of this article is practically unreadable]
OFFICERS COME
FOR FLETCHER
[Illegible] Papers Issued
[Illegible] Governor
Fletcher Will Not Protest Against
Returning to Arkansas - He Says
That He Has No Fear
Deputy Sheriff J. F. [illegible] of Texarkana, Arkansas, arrived Sunday night for Harry Fletcher or James R. Coffee. He was accompanied from the east by G. T. Conway, who proceeded directly to Sacramento to obtain the necessary papers for Fletcher's removal.
Mr. Conway telephoned from Sacramento yesterday afternoon that the requisition papers had been granted and asked that Fletcher be brought to the 2 o'clock train ready to proceed at once to Arkansas. This will be impossible, however, as the district attorney here must pass upon the requisition papers before the prisoner can be delivered by the sheriff.
Fletcher said yesterday that he would make no fight against going to Arkansas. "I am not afraid to go anywhere in the country." He said, "I have never done anything that I am afraid to answer for."
Officer Huddleson [sic] is not very familiar with the details of the killing of Fred Coffee. He was not an officer at that time and although the trial was held in his county, it was brought over from the adjoining county on a change of venue. He was James Coffee at the trial and believes he will recognize him now. Late yesterday afternoon, however, he had not been to see Fletcher.
The killing of Fred Coffee was believed to be in cold blood, as he was shot in the back of the head. The occasion was a quarrel over the ownership of a horse and buggy. There was great excitement at the time and it was necessary to guard the jail where James Coffee was confined to prevent his being mobbed. There were two parties from the neighborhood where the killing occurred one siding with the prisoner and the other bent on his destruction.
Mr. Huddleston said that it was the belief in Texarkana that James Coffee, whose record since he has lived iff [sic] and that the hole in the jail wall was made afterward..
The general feeling here seems to be one of sympathy for Fletcher or Coffee, whose record since he has lived in Bakersfield has been good. Fletcher himself constantly refers to his record when he talks and asks his acquaintances to judge him by it. His manner is nervous and he says he doesn't pretend to feel comfortable looking out between iron bars. He is not in good health either. His friends are doing everything they can for him, but Fletcher himself has not seen a lawyer.
From Bakersfield, Kern County, CA The Morning Echo, Jan. 30, 1904
HARRY FLETCHER HAS
MADE HIS ESCAPE
While En Route to Arkansas in Custody of Officers
Made a Successful Break for Liberty
at Fort Worth, Texas
A press dispatch from Fort Worth, Texas, says that Harry R. Fletcher, or J. R. Coffee, who was being taken from Bakersfield, California to Arkansas to be executed for murder, made his escape from his custodians at Fort Worth Tuesday and has not been recaptured.
Fletcher was in charge of Deputy Sheriff McConnell and Policeman Huddleson of Texarkana. The trio, upon arriving at Fort Worth, went to the Hotel Richelieu for breakfast and upon their way back to the Central passenger station Fletcher, who was not manacled, dashed into the crows and quickly disappeared.
The crime for which Fletcher was under death sentence was committed in Arkansas fifteen years ago, when it is alleged he murdered his cousin, James R. Coffee. [sic] He was arrested, tried and convicted and sentenced to be hanged. A few days before the date set for his execution he escaped from jail and was never heard from again until about a week ago, when the Texarkana authorities received word from Bakersfield that the escape [sic] was living there under the name of his alleged victim.
Fletcher has many wealthy friends in California and before his escape he stated to the men who were conducting him east that W. S. Tevia, president of the Kern County Land Company, had promised to assist him.
The above dispatch where it it states that Fletcher has wealthy friends in this county is entirely erroneous, as they are not justified by the facts in the case. It is probable that Fletcher while en route to Arkansas with the officers gave out the impression that he had wealthy friends here.
Another matter should be cleared up at this time once for all. Since the arrest of Fletcher the imputation has rested on his brother-in-law, Mr. Bell, a barber in the employ of Modesto Ardo, betrayed his relative and led to his undoing. On the word of the sheriff's office the accusation is entirely groundless.
Fletcher's crime in Arkansas fifteen years ago was known to Deputy Sheriff Tower before Bell arrived here from Texas to join his wife and her mother, who came here at the suggestion of Fletcher. Mr. Tower waited for word from Texarkana, Arkansas to place Fletcher under arrest and about that time Bell arrived here.
Several months ago, David Coffee, an uncle of the fugitive [illegible] from justice gave Mrs. Bell an order on a business man for some money to send to her husband to come to Bakersfield. [Sic] When Fletcher learned this he became greatly angered and made a brutal assault on his sister, choking her savagely. And this is the man who many of his friends have expressed a sympathy for and accused Bell of base treachery in giving him away to the authorities. Mrs. Bell in her distress and fear, was obliged to flee to a neighbor's for protection.
Deputy Sheriff Tower was called to the Fletcher residence to investigate the assault made of Mrs. Bell. He did not find Fletcher at home. He had come down town and the officer missed him. At that time Mr. Tower learned that Fletcher was wanted in Arkansas for murdering his cousin. He wrote to the Arkansas authorities for information regarding the crime and they confirmed the report that Fletcher had been convicted and sentenced to be hanged for the crime, but made his escape before the time for his execution.
That Fletcher was a desperate man is known to the officers. After his arrest for the Arkansas crime he expressed a desire to see Frank Munzer of the Kern County Land Company. Late at night after his arrest, Fletcher was taken to Mr. Munzer's residence and expressed a desire to confer with Mr. Munzer in private. Mr. Tower remained in an adjoining room. Fletcher stated to Mr. Munzer that the object of his visit was to obtain bonds for his release. Mr. Munzer told him that he could not secure bail while resting under the charge of murder.
This statement did not balk Fletcher, but he requested Mr. Munzer to assist him in escaping. He said that Tower was in the adjoining room and he could leave the room through a room unnoticed. Mr. Munzer, however, refused to be a party to the escape, and the interview was terminated. Fletcher was taken back to the county jail, where he remained until the Arkansas officers arrived here.
The escape of Fletcher from the officers at Fort Worth, so near the scene of his crime, fifteen years ago, is unexplicable. The officers knew the desperate character of their prisoner and from the report of the escape of Fletcher they were very negligent of their duty. The dispatch says that the prisoner was unmanacled. It was easy for Fletcher to slip his hands out of a pair of handcuffs, as his wrists were as large as his hands. Knowing that Fletcher could not be handcuffed, the officers were negligent in not securing him in some other way.
It is believed that Fletcher will return to the Pacific coast, but it is not probable that he will come to Kern county, where he is so well knows, as he would be immediately arrested. He resided for a awhile in Oregon, and he may return to that state. It is quite certain he will be remain in the states bordering n Arkansas, where he is liable to arrest.
JAMES COFFEE MADE
THREATS TO KILL SISTER
Did Not Want Mrs. Bell's Husband
to Come here - Mrs. Bell Told
of His Crime
So much interest has been received in the case of James R. Coffee, alias Harry Fletcher since his sensational escape from the Arkansas officers at Fort Worth, Texas, that an effort was made last night to get the true story of the circumstances that led to his discovery and arrest here after so many years of concealment. The story was obtained from Burr Bell and his wife, who is James Coffee's sister. Coffee's mother was also present at the interview. Part of the story has been printed before, but in a garbled manner, with many inaccuracies.
Mrs. Coffee and her daughter, Mrs. Bell, came here from El Paso, Texas, early in November, 1903. Mrs. Coffee sold a place she owned in El Paso and the money received for it brought them here with a certain balance left over. It has been stated that James Coffee sent his mother and sister the money for their fare, but this is flatly denied. On the other hand he succeeded in obtaining what money they brought with them saying that he wanted it to buy furniture for the house.
Bell did not come out when his wife did, and the trouble between Coffee and his sister began with the former's [sic] attempt to prevent Bell from coming to California. He is alleged to have intercepted some of Mrs. Bell's letters to her husband, and repeatedly tried to persuade her not to urge him to come.
David Coffee, Mrs. Bell's uncle frequently gave her sums of money after she came to Bakersfield, and James Coffee, fearing that she would send part of it to her husband, ordered her not to let her uncle give her any more. He went so far as to threaten to kill her if she sent any money to her husband.
It happened after a while that Bell was sick and out of work and wrote to his wife to send him money for a ticket to Bakersfield. This she did from money given her by her uncle.
James Coffee came home one night soon after the first of December and found his sister locked in her room. He demanded admittance and at once charged her with having sent her husband money. She denied it and he threatened her.
"He stood in front of me as I sat on the bed, holding his revolver in my face, and cursed me." said Mrs. Bell. "I was frightened out of my senses, and I told him I hadn't sent Burr any money. "I believe you have," he said, "and I am going down town and find out. If you have I will come back here and kill you." He had a monkey wrench with him and he picked it, saying "---- you. I have a --- good notion to peck your brains out with this."
"He started down town on his bicycle," continued Mrs. Bell, "and I ran out the back way and started toward a neighbor's. We came near each other on the way, and he saw me by the lights. He called out, "Oh, Maggie" and I started to run. He overtook me and caught me by my dress at the throat and struck me on the face first with one hand and then with the other. I screamed and tore away from him and he caught the bottom of my skirt, tearing a great piece from the bottom. Then I ran to the neighbor's and asked her to telephone to the sheriff. An officer came and brought mother and Jim over to the neighbor's. He took Jim away, but mother and I were so frightened that we stayed there two nights fearing to go home. The next day I went to Judge Mahon and asked him if there was protection here for a woman. I told him the story and he sent me to the district attorney. The district attorney made out a writ, but Uncle Dave had it dropped. He came and told Jim that he must be quiet.
"Did you tell the deputy sheriff at that time that your brother was wanted in Arkansas?"
"Yes, I told him all about it; that he was wanted there and other places. I told the judge about it, too."
"Then it was you and not your husband who first told the officers that James Coffee had killed his cousin?"
"Yes. That was before my husband came. He came a few days after that. I did not tell him for a long time that Jim had threatened to kill me and I did not tell him then that he had struck me."
"Did your brother ever threaten you at any other time?"
"Yes and he threatened his mother too. Once he --"
The old lady her her right hand solemnly above her head.
"James Coffee never raised his hand against me. He is my own boy. He never threatened me."
She talked on and on telling over the story of her son's threats against his sister and of the night flight from their home, putting it all in the bet light for her son. She told the son's version of the killing of his cousin, also.
"They were setting on the ground playing cards, he told me. Jim won and Fred claimed the money. Then they fought. Jim has scars on his arms and body to this day where his cousin cut him."
It was a pathetic scene, the feeble broken mother defending her son's name, hoping against hope that he might escape the consequence of his crime of so many years ago, and still trembled with fear that he might return to Bakersfield and add another tragedy to the tale to satisfy his revenge.
Immediately after the night that James Coffee threatened his sister's life, Deputy Tower, who made the arrest, began a correspondence with the Arkansas authorities. Coffee was not given up by his relations as an act of cold blood. The story of the crime of his boyhood was told by his sister in the hour of her terror, hoping that it would secure her protection. The story of the crime was known to all his relative here, but they protected him for years and with great faithfulness.
Another circumstance of this singular story is the fact that about a week before James Coffee's arrest, Edgar Coffee, a brother of the man who was killed, came to Bakersfield. He is working now on a ranch three or four miles in the country. He believed that James Coffee had gone to England and had died there. His appearance here was a great shock to James Coffee. [sic]
From Bakersfield, Kern County, CA The Daily Californian, Jan. 29, 1904
HARRY FLETCHER MADE ESCAPE AT FORT WORTH
BREAKS FROM GUARD AND DISAPPEARS
Lost in Crowd and is Now at Large With Recapture Improbable
On January 26th at Fort Worth, Texas, Harry R. Fletcher, alias J. R. Coffee, who was arrested in Bakersfield some weeks since on information that he was wanted for murder in Arkansas, and who was being returned to the scene of his alleged crime in charge of officers from Texarkana, made his escape and is now at large. [Note: It seems that The Californian never did get the fact that the man's name was James R. Coffee, alias Harry R. Fletcher, and not the other way around!]
Fletcher left here a week ago in the custody of Deputy Sheriff McConnell and Policeman Huddleston of Texarkana. On Tuesday morning the trip arrived at Fort Worth and went to the hotel Richelieu for breakfast. Fletcher was not manacled and on their way back to the passenger station the accused murdered dashed into the crowd that surrounded the platform and quickly disappeared.
The officers gave instant chase and the police force of Fort Worth was called upon for assistance, but up to the last report the fugitive had not been discovered.
He knows the entire southwestern country and it is thought his recapture is very uncertain.
From Washington Telegraph, Washington, Arkansas, Jan. 29, 1904
AGAIN ESCAPED
Jas. R. Coffee Gets Away
FROM THE OFFICERS
Break for Liberty Was Made at Ft. Worth Texas.
Texarkana, Jan. 25 - Two weeks ago deputy Marshal James F. Huddleston and Gray Conway arrived here with a requisition from the governor of Arkansas and left at once for Bakersfield, Cal., to bring back J. R. Coffee who is wanted here on a murder charge. They got their man and were returning, when this morning Coffee made a sudden break for liberty and escaped while the trio were changing cars at Fort Worth.
The crime for which Coffee is charged was committed near Washington, Ark. fifty miles north of here in the spring of 1889, the victim being his first cousin, whos name was Coffee also, and the motive, it is alleged, was robbery.
The case was tried here in the spring of 1890 on a change of venue, and the defendant was found guilty of murder in the first degree. The jury recommended the death penalty. A few nights afterwards and before the sentence was passed, Coffee broke jail and has since been at large until arrested about three weeks ago, in California where he has been going under an assumed name for the last fifteen years.
He has married during the time and has several children. The authorities here are greatly chagrined over the escape.
From Bakersfield, Kern County, CA The Daily Californian, Feb. 10, 1904
NO WORD IS RECEIVED OF HARRY FLETCHER
His Brother-in-Law Does Not Know Anything of Him and Doubts the Report
Nothing further has been heard from Harry Fletcher or James R. Coffee, since his sensational escape from the Arkansas Officers at Fort Worth, Texas. Where he went or where he now is is a matter of conjecture. No word regarding him has been received here and his recapture is a matter of much uncertainty.
The relatives of the fugitive do not appear to know anything regarding him. His brother-in-law, B. H. Bell stated today that he had received no word regarding him and know nothing of his whereabouts. He says he is inclined to doubt the accuracy of the report of the escape.
From Bakersfield, Kern County, CA The Daily Californian, Feb. 18, 1904
Is Harry Fletcher in Bakersfield Once More?
Is James Coffee, or Harry Fletcher, to use the name by which he is more familiarly known here, in Bakersfield? That is the question which many persons are now asking.
His brother-in-law, B. H. Bell is one of these. He received a letter from his fugitive relative yesterday, in which that individual declares that he has returned here and desires to meet him once more. The letter is also alleged to contain some very pointed intimations to the effect that the writer has some matters which he desires to settle with his brother-in-law without delay. He intimates also that he will hunt the latter up shortly. The letter was dated in Bakersfield.
Bell, however, does not appear to be much worried over the situation. He mentioned the matter to a number of persons yesterday, including Sheriff Kelly.
For some two weeks past it has been believed that Fletcher was somewhere in California. Parties coming from Los Angeles reported to Sheriff Kelly that they had seen him there after his escape from the Arkansas officers at Fort Worth, Texas. It is not believed that he will ever again be arrested here so long as he commits no offense against the law in this state. His escape at Fort Worth was accomplished with such ease as to cause many rumors to be circulated in regard to it, and many comments not favorable to his custodians have been abroad. That he would return to this city was believed by many among officers and other who knew him.
From Bakersfield, Kern County, CA The Daily Californian, Feb. 29, 1904
FLETCHER IS IN MEXICO
A LETTER IS ALLEGED TO HAVE BEEN RECEIVED FROM HIM AT CHIHUAHUA
If He is Really There He is Probably Safe from Pursuit
Harry Fletcher is not in Bakersfield or in the State of California or in the United States, if the letter received by a friend of his yesterday is genuine as to date, signature, postmark and postage stamp.
The epistle in question was shown by the recipient to reliable parties and they aver that it bears every appearance of being genuine. It is dated and postmarked Chihuahua, Mexico, and bears a Mexican postage stamp. Chiuahua is 225 miles south of El Paso off the Mexican Central railroad and a letter coming from there would take about four days on the road. The date was such that the letter would just have had time to get here from the Mexican city. It is be true that the fugitive is in Mexico, the recent report that he was here must be untrus although he may possibly have been in Los Angeles at the time it was reported that he was as ample time elapsed since then for him to have made the trip to Chihuahua and sent the letter in question. [sic]
If Fletcher is in Mexico it is likely that he is safe from all pursuit, although there is an extradition treaty in force which would probably cover his case. It is not believed, however, that the Arkansas authorities will bother him any more.
From Bakersfield, Kern County, CA The Morning Echo, Mar. 1, 1904
[Note: only part of the story was found, and picks up here:]
...states that James R. Coffee is still wanted in Texarkana, and that the reward of $250 for his delivery at the jail in Texarkana still holds good. The sheriff says that the trip of Huddleston and Conway cost him $290 and he says that it would be of no use for him to send any officers from Texarkana after Coffee because he might get away again.
Coffee's sister continues to received threatening letters from him postmarked and dated at Bakersfield. His brother-in-law, Bell, against whom the threats are chiefly directed, says that he believes the letters are written by Coffee at some place a long way from here, and that they are sent under another cover to a confederate in Bakersfield, who remails them in order to get the Bakersfield postmark. The only object in writing them appears to be a desire to wrong Mrs. Bell and possibly to drive her and her husband away from Bakersfield.