The morning call., 1893-08-05
EDWARDS SCORED.
Lawyer Barry Lashes
Him Severely.
CHARGED WITH HYPOCRISY.
Arguments of Counsel-Personal At
tacks Upon Both Plaintiff
and Defendant.

The sight of minister Of the gospel oc-
cupying the position of defendant in a
criminal action is an unusual one, and i.
was curious to note the throng that filled
Judge Daingerfeld's courtroom yesterday,
on the third day of the trial of Rev. Rod
ney u. Edwards. charged with embezzling
$500 from aged Mrs. Alien.
When the trial was resumed Attorney
Ash, representing the defendant stated
TO the court that telegram had been re-
ceived that morning from Henry E. High
ton. stating that he would be unable tC
return to San Francisco till Monday. High
tens testimony was very important to the
case. but under the circumstances the de-
Tense would be COMPELLED to dispense with
the evidence he could give
Rev. c. j. Mason Of Grace Church was
called to testify as to Edwards good repu-
talon.
Miss Josephine Eberlng. a bright
sprightly girl of some IS summers, re-
sponded with alacrity when called upon to
tell what she knew of Mrs. Alien She
stated that she resided at 514 Howard
street, with her mother, and she knew
Mrs. Allen very well. In fact, Mrs. Allen
well, what is Mrs. Aliens general rep
utation tor truth. veracity, honesty and In
tegrity?'
Bad" replied the witness, very de-
cidedly; Every bad, indeed. She's false
and unreliable, and she's hypocrl!e be-
Sides
''Wait moment" interposed the Judge.
How do you know all that?"
"Oh. know well.
The witness was told to step down, which
she did rather reluctantly, saying that
''she knew plenty more if they wanted it. !"
Rev A. Is. Monies of the Church OF the
Advent spoke very highly OF Edwards. and
then Ash rose and asked sit any one was
present from the Pacific Bank ?" There was
a litter in the courtroom at this. and sew
eral voices nluttered mo"
'What do you expect to prove by a clerk
from, the Pacific Bank?" asked Hosmer.
Il expect to show, sir. that no money
ever calAe through that bank for Mrs.
Allen"
This led to an alteration between the
lawyers, but the Judge lnterposed, saying
that in his opinion Hosmer had no right TO
ask such "a question.
Byron Mauzy, plan dealer. spoke
highly Of Edwards character from what
lie knew.
Ash then stated to the court that the
name Of the Pacific Bank clerk who was
6Aptcteu tu TESTIFY was DUWit, anu lie
asked that that gentleman be called again.
The baiitf went out, but there was no re-
Spense. and Ash thereupon declared his
defense closed.
There was another delay at this junct-
ure, rs Mr.. Hosmer said it was impossible
to proceed without his colleague, Attorney
Barry, so he had to be sent for. He came
III about twenty minutes.
In his argument to the jury the District
Attorney warned the jury To put aside all
prejudice. especially in the case of the de-
fendH1t, who. as minister of the gospel,
mig. be more subject 10 prejudice than a
business man. Mr.. HoSmer called marked
attention to the method of procedure
shown by Defendants counsel in endeavor-
ing 10 shp'v how that Mrs. Alien was
orunkarc, and had been discharged from
various charitable Institutions Even If
that we're true, he said, it would be no
mitigation OF or excuse Tor the defendants
crime. Consequently, prejudice on either
side must be set aside.
Counsel proceeded to review the testi-
m0ny on this point. He recitrG Edwards
letter TO Bishop Potter of New York City.
IN which he speaks of Mrs. Allen as a
worthy COMMUNICATE, whose name is
literally in ali our churches" and speak
ing further of the bread she had cast on
The waters" If Mrs. Allen was the fraud
the defense made her out to be, and had
imposing upon people. then this letter
itself was fraud, deliberately planned By
Edwards.
And the idea of Mrs. Allen being a
drunkard was absurd. Once during stay
of ten days at the Russ House there was a
bar bill of 81. Was that to be called de-
bauchery?
Referring to the financial transactions
counsel said that everything connected
with them tended to show fraud on the
part of Edwards. For Instance, Edwards
refused gift of $50 from the old lady, yet
n day or two afterward he accepted one of
$500, explaining in court that IF he hadn't
taken il some one else would" And in all
his dealings with the old lady's money he
had never given her so much as a scrap IF
paper. Ii Edwards had died the old lady
would have had no chance of recovering
cent OF her money. In fact there was no
evidence to show Of any contract having
been made between the parties. Even the
note which Edwards made out in favor Of
Mrs. Allen he retained himself under his
power OF attorney.
IN conclusion, counsel common ted strong
~ upon Edwards conduct in never Offering
10 make any restitution until the whole af-
fair came under the notice OF his church.
And then Edwards had gone to Texas.
with special request that no one should
know his wherea bouts. Everything point
tu ~ dcliDctdlc lIduu, CUuuS6l dSkeu
The jury to find a verdict of guilty as
charged.
After the recess. Attorney Ash addressed
the jury on behalf of the defendant. He
SAID that Mrs. Allen was person who was
utterly incapable Of looking after herself.
and for this reason Edwards had agreed to
take charge Of her little property.
Counsel spoke for some time on the pow
er OF attorney, and detailed how that Ed
wards had insisted on her hearing that
power Of attorney read before signing it,
and how that Mr.. Craig was present at the
lime. 1t was claimed that Mrs. Allen
could BOT fad home anywhere. She had
tried two or three pages, but had proved
uaSails actory. She knew she could get
70 home anywhere, and Edwards was the
only nember of the clergy TO whom she
could turn in her hour of need. So she ap-
pied > Mr. and Mrs. Edwards, and they.
VIII me reluctance. accepted the charge.
q how the relations i'll which Edwards
anG -4rs. Allen stood, counsel recited the
ietier In which the Old lady addresses Ed
wards as her good and kind FRIEND" and
H..