Los Angeles herald., 1891-11-12
John G. Hoy Peaches on the
Gang.
How the Bogus Mortgage Job
Was Fixed.
Baker Gets Hoy to Disguise Himself
and Play Mr.. Green.
Stump also Impersonated Mr.. Greon.
The Facts of the Case as Told
by Hoy in Court
Yesterday.

bogus mortgage transaction in Judg,
McKinley's court yesterday afternoon
He showed up the plot of the conspira
tors in narrative that proved fascinat
ing to everyone who could get within
hearing distance, and each sentenc,
which fell from the old mans lips
strengthened the case against Baker, ant
made things look anything but bright
for Mr.. Stump, who now occupies a eel
in the county jail on the same charge or
which Hoy stands convicted and Baker
is now being tried.
Hoy was not the only man who per.
sonated Rancher Green. Stump assumed
that name before Hoy did, and the latter
thought for long time that the man he
now knows as j. X. Stump was the
owner OF the ranch down in Vernon, and
that his name was Morris M. Green.
1t was an interesting story as told by
the old, gray-haired man, whom the con-
spirators induced TO- appear in, front Of
the whole transaction while they held
back in che shade and allowed him to
run all the risk.
The testimony introduced at the morn
ing session was of no new matters. Nor
ris M. Green made the same statement
Of the ownership Of the property as on
the trial OF Hoy.
A. L. Cornwell, the notary public who
took Hoy's Acknowledgment to the
mortgage, testified to having done SO.
Baker was present when witness took
the acknowledgment.
Hoy was put on the stand at o'clock.
He testified that Baker met him on the
2lst or 22d of August ON First street,
near the Natick house, and said he
wanted to see him about land deal.
An appointment was made at Bakers
house to talk over the deal.
Hoy accordingly went to Bakers
house that night but they did not talk
much about the proposition. Another
appointment was made for the following
day. They met on the street, when
Baker unfolded his proposition. He
wanted to see about getting some
money, about $4,000, he said, on piece
of land below town.
He said Stassforth was to loan the
money, and Baker told Hoy that the
party who wanted to mortgage the
property was Morris M. Green and that
Green wanted somebody to act for him
in executing the mortgage. Baker said
he would introduce Hoy to Green and
that Hoy could find out all about the
deal.
Baker took Hoy to man on First
street near the Natick and introduced
the stranger as Green. Baker immedi
ately walked away, leaving Hoy and the
supposed Green together. The man
whom Baker called Green was none
other than J. X. Stump.
Green, or Stump, told 10y
that he wanted toraise some money on
his place without allowing anybody to
know of it. He especially desired to
keep all knowledge from his wife and he
ter. Hoy agreed and he never saw the
individual then known to him as Green
until Stump appeared in court to tes-
tify.
He saw Baker soon after the arrange
ment was made, and they talked over
the scheme. Baker said they must go
out to the place and that Green would
not be at home; that he didn't want to
be seen when Stassforth came out to
look at the land. Baker then posted
Hoy as to what he should do. He was
to be there before Stassforth arrived and
told him to take stand near the Pony
stables, at Second and Los Angeles
streets, and a man would meet him
with buggy and drive him to the place.
In order that there should be no mis-
take Baker went with Hoy to the stable
and left few minutes before the man
came up with the buggy. Hoy described
this individual infinitely. Hoy got
into the buggy and was driven to the
place and got out. The man drove on
when they saw Baker and Stassforth
approaching the place and HOY climbed
the fence, taking his stand near the
artesian well, where he awaited the
arrival of Stassforth and Baker. AS the
latter named persons approached him,
Hoy heard Baker say, There's Green
now" Hoy went over to where they
alighted. Baker said, "Mr. Stassforth,
this is Mr.. Green" and to Hoy, "This
is the gentleman who is going to loan
the money"
Hoy had never been out to the local
ity and knew nothing about the place
save what Baker had told him. Some OF
the questions Stassforth asked him were
puzzlers and he got through as we'll as
he could. Acting in accordance with
Bakers instructions he told Stassforth
he was receiving $22.50 per acre rental. \
When he got a question over which he
stumbled Baker Clipped in and helped
him out.
Baker and Stassforth finally drove
away, and they were scarcely out OF
sight when the man who had taken
Hoy out put in an appearance with the
buggy and drove him back to town,
stopping near the city hall. Baker saw
him again and told him he would have
to get certificate of title to the place,
as Stassforth insisted upon having it.
Hoy and Baker were in Stassforth's
office when this information was inn
parted. They went together to the alb
stract company, Baker showing Hoy the
place and remaining outside while he
went in and ordered the certificate.
Baker furnished him with $l5 to pay for
the certificate, and he went back and
obtained it.
After this step Baker drew up the
mortgage, or had it drawn up, and they
went to see Stassforth. They signed the
note in Stassforth's Office, but the mort
gage wasn't signed until they went be-
lore notary. Baker went with Hoy to
the notary's office, and gave Hoy 80
cents to pay for taking his acknowledge
ment to the signature of Morris NJ.
Green.
Then Hoy and Baker went to the
court house to record the mortgage,
Baker giving Hoy the money 10 pay the
fees. They then returned to Stassforth's
Office, and Hoy was arrested. Stass-