The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-08-23

DIV those present WIKI the utmost I0Qluer-
ence is credited to the general inference
prevalent on the outside to the effect that
none other than such decision could
have been reached under the circum-
stances.
DR.. Hirst received TO end of congratu-
latjOns upon his vindication of the grave
charges or which he had been accused.
while sle strongest condemnation of
Rogers action was heard on all sides.
From the beginning of the investigation
the peculiar methods of the accuser have
awakened q grave doubt Ia the minds of
those composing the committee as TO bis
cTedibllitY. His career revealed many
. diScreditaDls phases, while his mode of
procedure against DR.. Hirst developed cir
cumstances which may lead to his criminal
. prosecution.
Rev. s. j. Carroll and Rev. W. W. Case
. were appointed by the presiding elder of
this district to conduct the case for the
prosecution, under the laws of the church.
That they, too, have lost ali confidence in
Rogers and his mysterious witnesses is
= quite evident. and they are not in the least
backward about expressing their disgust
at the whole proceedings.
At the opening of Yesterdays session,
= DR.. Carroll arose, and in an indignant
tone asked to DE allowed to withdraw from
the case.
He said that be had lost complete conf
dence IN his client, and considered him a
care 10 associate. IB referring TO the ex-
pOSure of Rogers credentials he remarked:
"A man who would forge a letter of refer
= ence would forge check, and man wh0
would do this ought to be IN San Quentin"
- DR.. Case also demanded 10 be cut loose
from Rogers. saying that be considered it
unnecessary to proceed any further with
the examination.
DR.. Hirst then took the floor and re-
auested that the proceeding b. continued.
and that the gentlemen remain in behalf
OF the prosecution in order that COM
plpte investigation might be awarded him.
Rev. DR.. Coyle 50 decided, and The first
witness on behalf of the defense was
called.
Nj. Wilson, newspaper reporter, testi-
fed to an interview with the boy Bidwell
O2 Tuesday, The 14th inst, and produced
terview said that the case against DR..
Hirst was got up by Rogers, who had his
knife into Hirst." He said that he was to
:: get 5000 from Rogers if :he case against
Hirst "came off," Rogers got up the
scheme and asked BidWell to get the bows
into it. He got Willard into it when
drunk. BidWell wanted to get some news
paper to buy his story and then clear out
with the proceeds.
Mr.. Jones. member Of DR.. Hirst's con-
gregation. was then called and told of an
interview had with Rogers at his home in
Fruitvale, at which Rogers claimed the
witness had abused him. This Mr. Jones
denied. but when asked whether or not he
had called Rogers a blackmailer he re-
piled:
II can't recolIect doing so. but if didn't
I'll do it now"
=. G. b. Perkins, who accompanied Mr.
Jones on this occasion, gave his version of
the affair, which was the same as that told
by the previous witness.
George Willard, the lad whom Bidwell
On 1FNffN tod
OF old man Sayers took TO a church on
Mason street, where it was alleged he
signed deposition i'm plicating DR.. Hirst
IN certain crimes against morality, gave
his version Of the affair at the opening of
the afternoon session.
His story was the same as that already
published, with the exception of a scene
which be claimed TRANSFERRED in a room in
the rear of Taylor's store on Post street.
Taylor has been friendly with Rogers, and
although he has been in constant attend
ance at the examination, clOSeted with
the witnesses for the prosecution,
but little was known of his connection
with the affair.
Willard said that Bidweli told him there
was money in it," providing be would
stand by the story which was contained
In the statement he had signed.
The witness was given one day in which
to consider the matter, but instead of do
ing so he went directly to see HirSt and
there told him of the whole affair. lie
was advised TO accept the money, which
would be held in evidence against the plot
ters. and on meeting Bldwell the next day
he was taken to Taylor's place where
Rogers was in waiting.
Bidwell insisted that Willerd should be
paid some amount. which had evidently
been decided upon by the Rogers crowd,
but the cid man refused TO consent, claim.
ing that the boys statement was sufficieu,
to hold him, and threatened Willard thai
unless he swOre 10 the story to which was
affixed his signature he would make i,
warm for him.
Willard claims 30 be ignorant as to the
nature of the statement of which he is
accused of being the author and is indig-
nant at the thought OF being led into suct
a shameful affair by Rogers, whom he
classes as "a first-class scoundrel," a de.
cree which is not found in Rogers creden.
tials.
DIR. Hirst then took the stand and in z
brief statement denounced the whole af
fair as an unsuccessful attempt at black
mail. He emphatically denied all OF the
alleged charges and closed with an expires.
sion of gratitude TO the members of the
committee for the fair trial which haC
been accorded him.
While the committee was deliberatinl