The morning call., 1893-05-17
MUDDLED IT.AWAY.
The Grand jury Has a
Task Ahead.
To-day 1t VIII Investigate the Finan-
cial Squabbles of Rev. Rodney
Edwards and nrs. Allen.

The Grand Jury will be called upon to-
day TO investigate the charges of Mrs.
Alice Allen against Rev. Rodney Edwards.
formerly assistant pastor Of Trinity
Church.
Mrs. Allen Is a widow, 72 years old. She
had been dependent on charity for long
time. Then she won $3.50 in lottery.
Rev. Mr.. Edwards was her pastor. He
had befriended her and she made many
protestations Of her trust in him and her
thankfulness for his many klnduesses.
When she drew her $3.50 she proved her
trust by taking it TO his study and
tumbling ii out on the table,
On his advice. $500 was put In bank.
Previous to this Mrs. Allen gave Edwards
$50. Twenty Of this was for his son.
Mrs. Allen says he took the $40, though
he has no son.
A few days later the pair proceeded to
the law office OF Henry HiGhton. here an
absolute power of attorney to Edwards was
signed by Mrs. Allen. She also signed a
will making him her heir.
Mr.. Highton read the papers to Mrs.
Allen alone, as is customary in such cases.
before she signed them. She says she had
no idea of their contents beyond the fact
that they insured her property being put
In good hands.
From this point the stories OF Mrs.
Allen and the Rev. Mr. Edwards vary.
Mrs Allen claims that Edwards took ad-
vantage Of his position aud her iaith In
him 10 draw nearly all her money from
the bank without her knowledge; that hav-
ing got will in his favor lie tried to in
yeigle her into living in a damp room,
knowing that 1t would result fatally.
Having partially recovered from what
was thought TO be her last Illness, she
asked for money with which to pay for
nurses and q doctor, and was Informed
that there was none left. Then when she
wanted TO know what had become of it,
she says that he made some rambling
statement and told her he wanted her 10
sign certain paper which he handed
her.
Il told him l wanted to read It first" said
Mrs. Allen last night. Il asked Mrs.
Wilson, who was In the room, to hand me
my spectacles. When she turned to get
them Mr.. Edwards snatched the paper
from my hand. He refused to let US see it
afterward.
"a 5 soon as was we'll enough went to
his Office at the Old Peoples Home with
Mrs. Wilson and Mrs. Williams and told
him 1 wanted my money. he said he
could not give it TO me.
II told him he was a thief and a liar
and that he had robbed me OF my prop
srty. When l said was going to cali him
to account by legal means he begged me
to spare him."
Mrs. Wilson. with whom Mrs. Allen is
living, eorroborated these statements.
0sgoOd Putnam. Mr.. Edwards attorney,
was seen last night and gave his clients
side of the story.
"Mrs. Allen" he said, twas expelled
from the Episcopal Old People Home on
Golden Gate avenue because of her crotch
city disposition. She tried to gain admis
ci m ba
and 1t was refused her
when she came into the money she
agreed to give Mr.. Edwards $1,000 on con-
dtion that she have q home with his
family the rest of her life. This money
Mr. Edwards drew and expended in build
ing at Baden.
"he also checked out $500 in payment
for lot in Baden. This purchase was
made in Mrs. Aliens name.
'Wishing TO build an addition to his
house, SO that Mrs. Allen would be more
comfortable, he drew out $1,000 more. For
this he gave promissory note. with in-
terest.
This note was drawn In August, 1892
1t was left in Mr.. Edwards possession and
he has it now.
''rhen Mrs. Allen made him present of
$500. OF this there is no corroborative
testimony.
Besides these large checks a few
smaller ones were drawn. some by MI
Edwards and some by Mrs. Allen. In
this way the S2100 was reduced to S192
when Mrs. Allen first claimed she had
been robbed.
'Mr. Edwards Is without ready cash.
Legally he owes Mrs. Allen only the $1,000
for which he gave his note. He also holds
the deed. which is IN her name, for the
Baden property.
Three months ago he offered to turn
ever his house valued at $500. and the lot
valued at $1,000, on which there was
mortgage for $4,000, in satisfaction OF the
claims! This was refused.
MIR. Edwards was very unwise," MI
Putnam concluded. but l am certain ne
was not dishonest"
Mrs. Allen says she knew o hing of the
various checks. She claims that the $1,000
Edwards declares was paid for a home
with him. and the $500 clsimed as q gift
was the same as stolen from her, although
they were drawn by Edwards through
virtue OF her power OF attorney.
The smaller checks will bring the sum in
dlsputa mn to GlDO0