Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-03-20

lenses
To-day, in the Criminal Court, Judge Wylie, the
case OF Thomas Zell Hoover, indicted for obtaining
money by false pretenses was called for trial
Assistant District Attorney Taggart for the govern
ment. and MeSSrS. W. \. Cook and George E. Har-
ris for the accused The first witness was Mrs.
Mary Smith, who testified that on February ID
last the accused represented TO her that he could
secure the payment of debt Of $50 due her by A.
Ii. Jackson, and Induced her to pay him 50 TO
enable him To attach certain credits OF Jackson
She further testified that he had obtained in all
bills
The defense objected to this evidence and argued
that the testimony should be confined 10 the 50
transaction.
The court ruled that 1t was competent to admit
this evidence, and the defendant noted an eXcep-
ton.
Mrs. Smith, resuming her testimony, said that
Hoover came back, saving that more money was
MI. Wood. This was after the warrant had been
Issued Hoover gave her check on the Bank OF
Washington for the amount OF Jackson's bin, less
On cross-examination witness said she was quite
sure that ii check given her; not a note.
Joseph Smith testtried that he paid Hoover for
his mother, getting $40 bill changed for the pur-
pose.
SENATOR JOHL L MILLER
was called for the purpose Of proving Hoover's at
tempt to cheat by pretending to have influence
with the Senator. and that for so much money he
could have certain page or mail messenger ap-
pointed The court declined TO admit the testi-
mOny.
c. c. Ivy, Of the Bank Of Washington, testified
that he was bookkeeper there, and In 1888 Hoover
had no account there.
II. Jackson testified that he knew Hoover, and
that Hoover never had any money belonging to
him.
not had some arrangement with Hoover as to fee,
ana he answered that the day before the trial of
Hoover, who stated that Blood was In trouble and
had engaged MeSSrs. Cook and Cole, but desired
witness also; that he went with Hoover to BIood's
Office, was introduced to him, and 1t was agreed
that he should appear with the others and be paid
$3.50; that he went In the court next day. and IT was
deemed best that Blood should forfeit his collateral
and he le1t. Hoover subsequently paid him $40 and
other sums amounting TO $50 or S3l.
This closed the testimony for the government.
FOR THE DEFENSE.
". P Williamson, member Of the bar, testified
that Hoover came to him to consult as to filing
suit Rr some one against Mr. Jackson, and he was
the suit, and he received %.
". F. Wood testified that he went to see Mrs.
Smith, and returned the money to her, after con-
Suiting with the brothers.
THE DEFENDANT TESTIFIED
that at the time he acting DR.. Bloods agent
and he expected money from Blood He got $50 at
one time and 300 at another from Blood and ex-
pected more. Mrs. Smith gave him 50 to be ex-
pended in legal proceedings or other
wise. as he deemed best. Witness called on VII
hanson and paid him $40, and was to give him a
certain per centage. The understanding with Mrs.
Smith was that If he failed she was to be made
good. On Monday evening Officer Hanlein came TO
the house with Mrs Smiths son, who wanted re-
turn OF the money, and he gave him IS and took no
further proceedings The paper he gave Mrs.
Smith was note at three days for over $780, this
including the bill OF ". A. Ward. He had been a
general collector and was In the habit OF taxing
money to pay the costs OF suit
HOOVER AS A S'PRIvATE DETEcrryEn
Hoover was cross-examined. Witness had learned
that Mrs. Smith had bills to collect at an Office:
went to see her and she gave him a note to SON.
in-law; did state that he had money in the bank
but told her he had money. Witness was handed a
letter, which he said he had written to Mrs Smith,
asking her TO return the note and he would refund
what she had paid him II she was not satisfied.
Thinks he got the money from his brother which
he paid over to Wood; he had seen Hon. SacHvile
West, the British minister, and told him that he
thought he could be q benefit to him, but did not
represent that he was private detective. Here
some letters were shown him, and he acknowledged
that, In some instances, he had signed himself as
private detective, but had never made an arrest
receipt OF Hoovers to Minister West for $50 and,
In case OF his suppression OF the shipping OF COM
busibles at Philadelphia, to be increased to $780,