The record-union., 1893-01-17
How Haberdank Referred to His and
Becker's Victim.
Becker and Kaeding Tell in Court How
the Former and Haberdank Bum
coed the Swede.

haedIng out of $50 some months ago, IN
conjunction with one William Becker,
alias Claussen, who has already been con-
victed.
The prosecution was conducted by As
sistant District Attorney J. Charles
Jones, and J. c. Brusie and E. j. Dwyer
. appeared for the defense.
Kaeding was the first witness called.
He testified substantially to the facts re-
lated by him to a RECoRD-UNIoN re-
porter in August last. He said he had
been at work on a ranch and came to
Sacramento, having finished his work at
his last place. One morning he met a
well-dressed stranger on X street, and
after brief interview was told by his
now acquaintance that his name was
strobel, and that he was a Swede. 1t
developed, however, that his name was
Becker, alias Claussen.
Becker talked more like a Dane, but
Kaeding received his advances in good
faith, and Becker finally announced that
he was on the eve of opening hardware
and cutlery store in San Francisco, and
had goods en- route there. He told
kaeding further that he needed an assist
ant To care for his horses and assist in the
store, and offered him a permanent situ-
alton, which kaeding decided would suit
him.
The two men walked down to Front
street, between n and O, where they sud-
denly met man provided With what ap-
peared to be railroad freight books, and
who was apparently a very busy clerk.
This man is alleged to have been Haber-
dank.
Becker inquired about his freight, and
the stranger SAID it was here and would
be forwarded to San Francisco on pay
ment of the charges SS5.
Pll pay the charges in San Francisco"
said Becker.
"You can't do that.'' said the supposed
railroad man; you'll have to pay here,
and if you keep them here after tonight
storage at the rate of 81 per hundred
pounds will be charged"
Quite a heated discussion took place
between Becker and the agent" which
ended by Becker saying he only had S25
in cash, enough to pay his hotel bill here
and his fare to the city
He then turned to kaeding and asked if
he had the amount, but the latter said he
had no money with him.
The agent finally said he was very busy
and must go.
well, 1 must have the freight for
warded." said Becker. "Where can see
you again ?"
The agent said he had to go home to
dinner, out near the Capitol, and that if
Becker was there he would meet him at
noon.
Then Becker told Keading he was'in a
fix. He had a good watch and a check
for 81 800, but could not raise the SS5 to
pay the freight.
kaeding was suspicious and very 10th
TO advance any of his hard-earned dol
lars, but he was induced to draw it from
the Peoples Savings Bank and meet
Becker and the agent at Capitol Park.
They met according to appointment, and
long parley ensued, during which the
agent had business and started off.
haedlng refusing for some time to ad-
vance the money. Finally he succumbed.
rather than offend his new employer. and
handed Becker $50.
The two then walked hastily after the
agent, overlook him, and after Becker
had given kaeding the 81, 500 check on
ellis, Fargo u Co. as security, the
money was paid to the agent, who APP
peared TO be much aggravated at the de-
lay.
Becker even went to a store and had $40
changed so as to make the $50. and re-
turned s. to Kaedng.
Everything was now settled, the agent
LETT, and Becker took kaeding to the
depot where they were to embark for San
rancisco, but were intercepted by Officer
Clark, who arrested Becker.
BEcKER's STORY.
Becker, alias Claussen, testified that he
anu haOeHUanh came 10 sacramento for
the purpose OF defrauding people. Thew
had various conversations on that sub
Ject; the last one was on August 9TH last
the day before his arrest. He saw Kaed-
ing on August 5th. Witness engaged
him in conversation. and they walked up
to the Capitol grounds.
Ihey made an engagement to meet the
next morning at the Capitol Park. and
walked down to Front and O streets
1hey there met Haberdank and he spoke
to witness about the freight and said ii
must be settled right away. The defend
ant represented himself as freight AGENT.
Witness stated, in answer to a question.
that Haberdank was not freight AGENT
The meeting was by agreement between
him and Haberdank. The story agreed
on was that if the freight was not paid.
an extra charge would be made for stor-
age. Haberdank agreed to wait till y
O'Clock, and to meet him at Capitol Park
at that time.
Witness said he and Kaeding went to a
bank and kaeding drew his money and
they went to the park. Haberdank
wanted MN 10 settle, and was told that
ne was not able-that Kaeding would not
let him have it. Defendant walked away.
saying he could not fool away any more
time. haeding then offered to let him
nave the money if he would let him have
the $1,000. kaeding then let him have
$40. They followed defendant, and
rendered him the money, he had to change
$40 piece and returned S. Witness
then made an excuse to get away from
haedlng, making an agreement to meet
him at the boat, and go to San Francisco
with him.
Witness said that all the representa-
tions that Haberdank made to Kaeding
were false. He got the blank check in
San Francisco and it was written by wit
ness in Defendants room and in his pres
ence, and he knew to what use it was To
be put. Witness never received anv of
the $50.
Cross-examined as to whether he had
received a communication from Haher
dank about Christmas time, he stated that
he received one in writing, which he sent
to his lawyer in San Francisco, the GEN
eral tenor of which was that witness
should make his testimony favorable to
defendant.
OTHER WITNESSES.
W. J. Losey testified that Becker came
in and wanted change for a $40 piece.
After obtaining it he crossed the street
and Joined two other men.
Samuel Raphael testified that Becker
worked for him for three years. He had
charge of the store and Haberdank never
worked for him. He remembered
Beeker's arrest. Haberdank hung
around the store afterward and showed
nm receipt for S45 paid to a lawyer for
beeKer's defense, and at another time
wanted witness to take $S5 and send it to
Sacramento to help Becker out, and
wanted him to find out if there was any
danger of him (Haberdank) being ar
rested, as he would skip if there was any
oanger. de also wanted TO find out if
the sucker was in Sacramento, for if
ne was he the defendant could be identi-
he'd and would be sent M