The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-08-22
DR.. HIRST'S SIDE.
A Bad Day for Rogers and
His Case.
A Notary Public Who Overheard
Enough to Convince Him That
Rogers Was No Christian.

The defense In the case OF Dr. A. c. Hlrst,
VINO IS being tried on charges Of immortality
before a court OF inquiry at the Central Metho-
dist Church, was opened yesterday morning.
The first witness called was j. Nj. Ellis, a
notary public oil Montgomery street, who gave
some very damaging evidence IN regard to
rogers mode OF securing false statements from
boys In furiherance of his purpose.
lie testified that in April last Rogers came to
his office and stated that he had a number OF
boys whose statements he desired attested.
Ellis consented, and the next day The lad Bid
well made his appearance and asked II Rogers
had been there.
Yes" said Ellis, che called Yesterday"
well, l suppose, II that's the case, you
know the whole affair"
"He told me that he desired number Of
statements from boys atiested. so 1 presume
you are one of Them" answered the witness
YES" resumed Bidwell 81 was one OF them
but after careful consideration L have decided
10 draw out of the plot. Old Rogers SAYS
old devil"
On the following day Rogers reappeared &C
companied by the boy, Homer Penn, and was
given desk in the rear of the Office. The lad
sat down and wrote something at Rogers die
tation which Ellis Was unable to Overhear.
When the document was finished Penn looked
up and in an audible tone said TO Rogers: "Is
the money sure?"
Rogers reply was not heard and Penn again
first installment now"
In answer to this Rogers was heard to men,
ton something about next Tuesday" which
evidently satisfied the boy, who theIeupon sub
scrlDed his signature TO tine paper.
Ellis was then given the statement, and after
carefully reading II over turned 10 Rogers and
no Christian. Get out of here and never show
yonr ugly face In this office again."
Rogers lost no time ID complying with this
forcible suggestion, and, followed by the boy,
he strolled oil toward Market streei.
AT that time Ellis was unacquanted with DIR.
HiTst, but shortly afterward. seeing him con-
versiug with Rabbi VOorsanger notified the lat
ter OF the scene which had transpred in his
Office. The rabbi al once called upon DR.. Hirst
and exposed the plot which was being Matched
against him.
The testimony OF the witness was mistaken
under cross-eXamination, although DIR. Carroll
for the prosecution, subjected him TO a severe
ordeal.
C. b. Perkins was then placed upon the stand
10 retute the statement made by Bidwell
while testify Monday in reference to the $40
which he claimed had been paid him by the
witness as hush money.
Bert Hurst, son of the accused, last April took
Bidwell to room in Kearny-street lodging
house with view OF asceriaining his motives
IN prosecuting the case with such zeal as he had
displayed at times.
w. j. Thompson, whose services 10 the de.
tense In ferreting out Rogers charge against
DIR. HITst has been Invaluable. was carefully
hidden under bed in the apartment and was
consequently witness or all that transpired
during the interview.
1t was in this room that Bidwell claims TO
have received the bride of 500, which was
subsequently buried in the park.
Both gentlemen testified Yesterday that no
sueh sum, or, Ia fact, any amount whatever
was paid BIdwell. but, on the contrary that the
latter expressed his sorrow at having caused
such unpieasantness, and expressed his desire
10 retract his accusations in a letter TO DIR.
Hurst. which he afterwarG did voluntarily
L. A. Kirkpatrick, an expert from the Royal
Corporation of Chartered Accountants of Lou
don, testified that he had carefully examined
Rogers credentials ana found several words
which had been scratched out and others sub
Stltute0 OF q more lmDOsinN and IN
that the degrees LID. ana MD. had been
forged.
new feature of the case is the intended
action of prominent Methodists of Oakland TO
institute an ecclesiastical court Of inquiry before
whom DIR. Carroll will De called TO explain how
he came 10 accept Rogers as a a lay exhOrter
without sufficiently investigating his character
and antecedents. Dr.. Carroll Is also Rogers
counsel.