The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-03-06
ANOTHER WITNESS
A Woman Who Knew of
the Emerald Ring.
1t Is Claimed She Knows Enough to
Convict Greenwald, Wichman
and Thomas.

Another sensation in the prosecution of
the now famous Emerald smuggling ring
leaked out yesterday when it was learned
that the United States Government,
through District Attorney Garter, had sent
to Los Angeles for one May Spauldlng.
agreeing to pay her expenses and witness
fees if she will come here and tell what
she knows.
If the claim made by Government officials
is correct as to what Miss Spaulding's tes-
timony will be, then Wiehman, Greenwald
and Thomas Will have some hard work In
getting clear of the charges against them.
Up to the present time of all the men al
legged to compose the Emerald ring the
Government officers had conclusive testi-
muny as to the guilt of but three of them
Voss, Svenson and McLain-all three OF
whom are beyond the reach of the law,
having fled to British Columbia. Miller,
who is IN jail. and George Wichman, the
candy man; George n. Thomas, the pho
tographer, and Louis Greenwa who has
no known business. were all charged as
accOmplices Of VOss. Svenson and McLaiD,
but the evidence against them has been of
the flmsiest sort until now. The Govern
ment hoped for their conviction, mainly
mon the ground of a confession from
Voss or Miller. The latter probably knows
nothing 10 confess that would bear upon
his pals, ii pals he had, while Special
Agent OF the Treasury Phenix is now in
British Columbia armed with a promise
from the Government TO let N0ss 60 free
If he will tell what he knows.
But Voss has way of saying that he
believes In honor even among thieves and
it was feared that PheniX would fail in his
mission. Even il he does 1t won't matter
much providing Miss May SpauldiDg will
tell all she knows. The girl, il is said,
was a servant In the house where Thomas
boarded. and where, it is alleged, the
smugglers held frequent meetings and &C.
casionally stored coDtraband opium they
had succeeded in landing. She is said to
have overheard numerous conversations
and 10 have seen any amount of queer
things, and it Is even rumored that Miss
SpauIding may be able 10 identify several
Government officers who hold or did hold
minor positions in the customs service as
friends and frequent visitors of the SNUG
glers.
Just what Miss Spauding knows only
District Attorney Garter can tell. She
| certainly knows something of value to the
Government, or the District Attorney
would never have authorized the demand
| for her fare and expenses from the City OF
| the Angels to this city and return.
The hearing of the demurrers filed ty
| Wichman and Thomas as to the validity OF
! the indictments on which they were ar.
rested comes up before Judge Morrow to-
morrow, and it may be that Miss SpauId.
| ing will make her initial bow in the case
at that time. Special Agent Pheuix /:
working hard on the case, for a failure tC
convict upon his first big case as a special
agent would be a detriment to him with
the department, Dasmuch as he has
| caused the arrest of well-known bushes:
men on grave charge. Even II Voss die
consent to return and give Stats evi
dence the officers would be extremely an
xious, as once having a pledge of i'm
munity. Voss could easily take the whole
| burden of smuggling on his own shoulder:
ana thus save his companions. Hence the
discovery of Miss Spauding is hailed will
DELIGHT. 1t is needless to say her arriva
will be anxiously awaited.