Los Angeles herald., 1891-05-19
THE OLD PARD LETTER.
ADEMAND FOR CHAIRMAN sTUMP's
THOUSAND DOLLARS.
The Republican Committeeman to Be
Sued-Governor Markham Will Be the
Chief Witness.

That "0ld Pard" letter, that missive
written in lead pencil by H. H. Mark
ham to e. G. Hallock when the two were
friends and mine-owners, will be pro.
duced in court before long, says the San
Francisco Examiner of Sunday.
1t was first brought to public notice in
the last week Of the last campaign, when
Markham was making his best efforts to
be elected governor.
In the communication to his partner
he wrote: "I do believe, Hallock, that
we shall make some money out of those
dam mines, after all. 1 am glad that
Irish crowd are out, and hope that the
Cinnamon will be all right"
The Democratic state central commit
tee thought it had powerful political
weapon when DR.. Cougar, of Pasadena,
brought the letter all the way from Los
Angeles and handed it over to Chairman
Russell Wilson.
The unfortunate reference to the
writer's Joy at getting rid of the "Irish
crowd" and his hopefulness that the
Cinnamon would be all right, it was
thought by the Democratic leaders.
would lose the man with the magnetic
hand good many votes.
Chairman Stump of the Republican
state central committee at once de-
nounced the letter as forgery. He
knew that Markham held the Irish in
high esteem. Had he not repeatedly
said so during his canvass of the state?
So certain was Mr.. Stump that Mark
ham had not written the letter, that he
advertised extensively that he would
give $1,000 to any one who could prove it
to be genuine.
CHASING THAT THOUSAND.
Then Russell Wilson started after
that 81 900. After good deal of sparr-
ing and feinting it was finally arranged
that the document should be produced.
for inspection before the Republican
committee.
1t was carefully drawn out OF the in
side vest-pocket OF Mr.. Wilson one af-
ternoon, a week before election, and
placed on table in front of Mr.. Stump
and his colleagues.
1t was examined carefully. 1t was
compared with some other writings of
Mr.. Markham.
Every Democrat could see at glance
that it was the handwriting of the Re-
publican candidate.
Every Republican could see with one
eye shut that it was not.
Mr.. Markham was in San Bernardino
at the time. He had been interviewed
extensively as to the genuineness of the
letter. He could not recollect even hav-
ing written it. But he would not say
square and fair whether he had not.
Then he commenced to dodge reporters.
Mr.. Wilson suggested to Mr.. Stump
that they both take special train to
the southern country, show the letter to
Markham and ask him if it was in his
handwriting.
Mr.. Stump was too busy and could
not go. Every prominent Republican
in San Francisco was suddenly stricken
with an overwhelming pressure of busi-
ness when the same proposition was
made to them.
e A CAMPAIGN FUND NUCLEUS.
So election came along. Markham
defeated Pond. All interest in the ques-
tion as to whether the new governor
liked the Irish or not died away.
Mr.. Stump never paid over the $1,000.
At a meeting last week of the Demo
cratic state central committee the al
most forgotten letter popped up again.
Somebody suggested that the $1,000
would come in handy as nucleus for
the presidential fund of next year.
So Russell Wilson was instructed to
sue Mr.. Stump. He has now the neces-
sary legal documents in preparation.
The complaint will be filed in a few
days.
1t is the intention to make Governor
Markham the principal witness for the
plaintiffs. He will be asked one ques-
tion:
'Did you write E. G. Hallock that
you were glad the Irish crowd were out
OF your miner"
If the governor says he did not, Mr..
Wilson will probably reply:
"That settles it,"
If the governor owns up to the au-
thorship, Mr.. Wilson will probably say
to Mr.. Stump:
"Gimme that $1,000"