Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-02-17
FATHER COLUMBIA ON TRIAL.
People Who Have Had Business With Hin
Testify in the Police Court.

There was the regular everyday Police Court
audience occupying the benches in front of
Judge Kimbalrs bench this morning when
Father Columbia, alias Walter H. Shoupe, was
called for trial AS heretofore stated
the warrant, which charged vagrancy
and suspicion, was issued on the oath
of H. B. Matchett. The information
alleged that he was found at the corner of 18th
and streets, and charged that he was a
picious person, having no fixed place Of resi-
dence; that he was unable to give a good ac-
count of himself, &c.
When the witnesses were called thirteen per-
sons responded and Father Columbia seemed
very much amused a. the array Of citizens who
were to testify against him.
John B. Clark testified that he knew Father
Columbia and had paid him 81 for a certificate
in association.
"What association?'
81 think he called it the Sons and Daughters
Of Columbia"
Witness was questioned and he said he
understood that the association was a co-opera-
tive society and the members were to get house.
hold supplies at reduced figures. Wit
he had with the defendant the latter
claimed that he connected with a
sewing machine and stove mandatory in
Ohio. 1t was about two weeks ago that he
called at Father Columbia's in response to an
advertisement. So far as witness knew the
affair was all right and yet he knows nothing
other than that the society is good one.
Abram Cook. "a printer told of work he had
done for the defendant and for which he had
not been paid.
HIS PRINTERS BILL.
Mr.. Matchett was the next witness He had
also done printing for Father Columbia, who
gave him the Standard Oil Company and the
Wheeler and Wilson Sewing Machine Com
pany references. The printing he did
for the defendant was for the Patriotic
Order Of Sons and Daughters Of America. He
understood that the organization was labor
league. When it came 10 the payment Of the
bill Father Columbia said it had to be APP
proved by Mr.. Flemming. Witness said he
went to see Mr.. Flemming and learned from
him that he was only counsel for the defendant.
Witness then offererd in evidence a letter
received from the defendant, in which he asked
witness to do more work before the first bill
had been settled.
Miss Blanche King testified that she made a
drawing for the defendant and that he did not
pay her for her labor.
Mr.. Charles Muddiman furnished gas fixtures
for the room, but as the bill was not paid he
had his men remove the fixtures.
Mr.. j. Z. Page told o. one of Father Column
bias drafts received by him from a lady Gus
toner, and which had been protested. Father
Columbia promised to settle 1t, but had failed
to do SO.
Witness said he had cashed some Of Father
Columbia's checks and they had been settled
all right. The defendant told him that the
draft was given to q man and he afterward
learned that he was not entitled to the full
amount and ordered it stopped. He told wit
ness that he would pay part of it.
HIS BOARDING. HOUSE KEEPER.
Mr.. H. Hall. a boarding house keeper, said
that the defendant boarded with him all the
summer and paid his bills. When he returned
in the fall he again stopped at witness house
and has not vet settled the bill.
". s. Gill testified that Father Columbia
owes MIN for this months rent. He had the
partition taken down in the rooms and iron
enameled bath tubs put in to be used for wine
baths.
Witness then told of business transaction
in which the defendant gave him check for
80. 40. which had not been honored. Witness
said that the defendant told him that he repre-
sented a syndicate in which Mr.. Schenck Of
New York, Mr.. Lay Of New York and Mr.. San
ger of Cleveland were backing him.
Henry Thomas. the colored jsnitor. was
called and he gave evidence concerning his
employment by the defendant and said that
the defendant owed HIM part Of the money!
Judge kimbal said that if all the testimony
was in the same strain he could see no reason
for calling other witnesses.
Mr. John Gibson of the firm Of Gibson Bros,
printers said that the defendant had paid him
$50. He owes 1925 q.
Mr. Francis Dauzenbaker told Of various
transactions with the defendant beginning in
1876
He told Of the interviews with the defendant
in which the litter pretended to have immense
wealth and influence.
The witness gave his testimony with consid-
cradle feeling and told Of how Father Column
bia had succeeded in getting considerable
money from him.
Continuing witness told long and amusing
story OF his money transactions and said he did
1t for the reason that he expected he might
possibly get back the 81 900 that the defendant
owed him.
At this point the hearing was adjourned until
tomorrow.
As the witness was leaving the court Father
Columbia threatened him. The court called
Father Columbia back and cautioned him.