The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-07-09
WEPT ON The STAND.
Oracle Gilbert Breaks Down
While Testifying.
Beginning OF the Examination Of the Dick
Forgers-Attorney Moore Tells How the
Loan Was N egotiated in His Office.

There was gaping crowd of spectators
in Department . of the Police Court yester-
day afternoon when James f. Wells and
| Ollie Hutchins, better known as Oracle Gill
| bert, were called for examination en- a
charge of forgery. Wells was represented
| by three attorneys, but the woman was
without legal counsel. She evidently eX-
poets leneRcy by turning States evidence
and telling how she was induced by the late
William j. Pitcher and by Wells TO commit
the daring forgery by which the two secured
| $4,000.
Before the preliminary examination began
ex-JGdge LAWYER objected to the complaint
against Wells on the ground that it alleges
| two offenSes-forgery and passing an instru-
ment known TO be forged.
Judge Joachimsen nverruled the objec-
tions and also denied motion TO dismiss
the complaint.
Joseph II. Moore, the attorney for Thomas
| Crane. the capitalist who loaned the $4,000
upon the mortgage TO which the signature
| of Miss Emma l.. Dick was forged. was the
| first witness called. lie testified that he HAD
been the attorney for Crane, now deceased.
| lie had known Wells aud Ollie Hutchins
| since period between Septem Der Is and 10,
| 1890
"A few days prior to September 10, $780,
| continued the witness, John L. Little came
TO me and said he had an application for a
| loan of $1,000. He said the property was at
the southeast corner OF Ellis and Franklin
streets.
PAID TO OLLIE HUTcHINs.
After the preliminaries were arranged
the money was paid by me to Ollie HutchIns.
Wells was present and previously he had
| introduced me 10 her as Miss Emma l..
| Dick | asked her few questions, telling
hfr lat ttnF an Ce
mon names in my own family. l then
! called VI ellis out Of the room and questioned
| him. tie assured me that she was Miss
| Dick, and said She had inherited the prop
| erty from an uncle. L made mistake in
| the date OF the receipt, and after they LETT
| the Office | went out and overlook them.
| Wells was carrying the money"
"How was the woman dresSed?" asked
Prosecuting Attorney Stevens.
TO the best OF my knowledge she wore a
shiny green dress"
well, please proceed"
After the forgery was discovered, on
| September is, / Saw Wells and asked him
10 explain his transactions with the woman.
He did so, and seemed greatly surprised
when informed that she was not Miss
Dick
The mortgage and promissory mote for
| $4,000, bearing the forged signatures of MSS
Dick, were identified by the witness and
| introduced in evidence.
CrOss-eXamined. Mr.. Moore said all the
| preliminary negotiations were made by
| Little. The papers were drawn up in his
| office and the money was paid by Crane as
| trustee for the Goldner estate.
WELLS AND OLLIE HUTCHINS.
J. G. Dutfy testified that he saw Wells on
Montgomery street with Ollie soon after
| they left MoOre's office. The woman was
| tall, thin, and 10 the best of his recollec-
! ton, wore pink dress.
Percy Trayers related how Wells asked
! hin to negotiate the loan. He turned the
matter over to Thomas Parsons, who ne
| gotated with Little.
When Mrs Oracle Gilbert took the wit
| ness-stand she removed a sealskn coat, dis
| playing neat figure in a pretty black silk
! dress. In answer To questions she repeated
| the story which was published in The
| CALL last Sunday. She related how she
| had been induced by Pitcher and Wells to
| commit the forgery, and how they had
| given her only $500 Of the ilI-gotten gold.
| Her voice trembIed as she alluded 10 her
wanderings through the State Of Washing
ton, and TO her subsequent marriage at South
Bend, where she was arrested.
When crOss-eXamined she WINGED under
the fire OF questions, and finally shed tears
when compelled 10 tell of her early life
She said she Is IS years of age, ami came TO
this coast from Illinois in 1881. COMPELLED
10 tell Of her lie as a woman of bad repute
and Of her imprisonment in the House of
Correction in 1857 she broke down and went
violently.
An adjournment was then taken until
Monday afternoon.