The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-08-15
1T WAS A THREAT.
Judge Low Is Surprised
by Mail.
WHO WROTE THE LETTER ?
The Court Is Warned That If Half.
Interest SWindlers Are Prosecuted
it Must Look Out.

An audacious attempt to intimidats a
Judge came to light yesterday. For some
days past Judge Low of Police Court 4 has
been hearing the case of felony embezzle-
mpnt against F. Albrecht ST., f. Albrecht
Jr. and Fl. W. Bockman. said TO be half
interest swindlers. They were charged
with selling 70 n. w. Clement the half
in terest in the Shot Tower restaurant, 20S
First street. for SS7. which did not belong
to them. Mrs. NJ. j. Barney was impli-
Gated with them, tut she turned States
evidence.
The prosecution rested on Saturday. and
the attorney for the defendants made long
argument for dismissal. Without his eli
enrs knowledge the defendants agreed with
Clements attorney to pay him S125 to re-
coup him for. the SS7 he paid and for his
attorneys costs. Judge Low had intim-
ated that, as the evidence showed that
only $50 had been embeZzled and the
charge would therefore have to be reduced
to misdemeanor, he might dismiss the
case If the complaining witness were cOm-
pensated for his loss.
The Judge was. therefore. con siderably
astonished TO receive by mail yesterday
morning threatening letter. 1t was writ
ten in pencil. in bold hand. and was to
the following effect:
SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 10.
Judge LoW-DEAR SIR: Do not be quick
In holding us over Tor the Superior Court for II
you do IL VIII go hard Cd you. We want 10 set
lie this mat er Monday at , O'Clock and want
you 10 do ii. If you don't 90 1t you had better
look out for yourself. Settle Albrecht & Book
mans case aud everything will be all right and
you WON'T be troubled. Now do this aud every.
thing Will be all right. and don't be beadstrong.
for we will make yUn settle, II not by fair
tC - La
us settle you had better look out We will
make short work Of you. Now do this. Yours
respectfully, HE COMPANY.
The Judge handed the letter to Detsctive
Hogan. who has been working up the case
against the defendants, and he in turn
handed it to Nj. H. Hernon, the attorney
for Clement, advising him TO submit it 10
an expert. as it bore a striking resem-
blance to the handwriting Of II. w. Book
man, one oil the defendants.
Attorney HernOn took the letter. with
specimens of Bockman's handwriting, to
afternoon the defendants and their attOr-
ney appeared in court to hear what dis
position the Judge would make of their
case in view Of the settlement with
Clement.
After waiting for nearly an hour Attor- |
ney Hernon and Mr.. Gumpel made their
appearance. The latter had brief con- !
versation with the Judge
Il have received a threatening letter."
the Judge then said, (which / will read"
After doing so he continued: II want to |
ask Bockman If he wrote the letter. be-
cause it seems to bear striking resem-
blanca u his handwriting.
Bockman was put on the stand and |
sworn. lie declared that he did not write
the letter; that he never saw it before,
and never heard of 1t till he came into
court.
Shortly after leaving the courtroom on
Saturday,. said the defendants attorney,
Il understand the terms of an arrange
ment between the Defendants and the com
planning witness for settlement Of the
case were finaily agreed upon with Attor-
new Il ernon. ] was not present. The re-
ceipt signed by Clement for S125 in full of
all demands is in evidence. There was
therefore no earthly motive in the defend
ant Bockman writing letter of the kind.
feel sure 1t has been done through malice |
and to inlure and leopard the rights of |
the defendants"
Il don't tnke any personal offense." said
the Judge. "at the letter; but it is simply
outrageous that such letter should be |
sent to any court. 1t would have not the
slightest effect upon me in holding or dis
charging the defendants"
Attorney Hernon then asked that the
case be dismissed in view of the settlement
with his client, and the Judge so ordered.
Expert Gumpel was anxious for the |
Judge TO allow him further time to exam
Inc into the handwriting of Bockman and |
that on the letter. as he felt satisfied it was
written by Bockman. but the Judge pre-
ferred to let the matter drop
WELL" said Gumpel. "If it was not |
written by Bockman the man who wrote it |
is dandy at the business"
Detective Hogan states that Clements |
pluck in bringing the half-interest swim.
oilers into court has had the effect of max
Ing them refund the money to Peter Gngio |
ana Others, who were victims of the First
street restaurant swindle.