The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-08-07
HALE { NORCROSS DRAMA
M. w. Fox Says an Attempt
Was Made to ASSaSSi-
nate Him.
HE TALKED TO A HIRELING
But Nothing Deferred Him From
Carrying the Famous Case
to a Finish.

No man knows better than M. W. Fox
the bitter feeling engendered by the Hale
d Norcross suit.
AS the sole plaintiff, though represent
ing several hundred others whose interests
are Identified with his own, the enmity of
the other side was directed to him, and, as
has already been told, every pressure was
brought to bear on him to induce his with
drawal from the suit. Not only two and
three hundred thousand dollars were
offered to him in consideration that he
sign an agreement to stop proceedings, but
over half a million was rendered by the
emissares of the Hale g. Norcross people
as the price of his selling out the other and
poorer stockholders, who looked on him as
their savior, though they gave him moth
ing beyond their moral support. Some of
them gave him much less, and accused
him of being the one chiefly interested in
holding back the Supreme Court decision.
But there was more than this. Mr.. Fox
is convinced that an attempt was to have
been made on his life during one of his
visits to the mine. Those who are well
acquainted with the man know that he is
not one 10 be deferred from carrying out
his purpose by any fear or threat of I'M
certain danger, and the delicacy of his
position can readily be appreciated when
it is understood information was conveyed
to him that two men had been hired to
assassinate him while he was making his
inquiries and Investigations at the mines.
Though alone and single-handed he de-
termined to go on with his self-imposed
task and meet, if necessary, these hidden
enemies. The result is best told in his
own words:
had not been up to the mines more than
two days when I learned that a plot was on
foot to put me under the sod. l did not know
from which quarter TO expect the danger, but
bided my time and kept my eyes and ears
wide open. ! was rewarded. man on whom
l could rely as a friend gave me tip, and
soon knew by sight and name the men who
were to make way with me. II they could not
involve me in fight they were instructed not
to hesitate at plugging me in the dark. Very
we'll. One day, while walking down the
street, one of these hired assasSins met me-
and we engaged in conversation. He did most
OF the talking, and finally, to bring the farce
TO close, whirled on him and said:
81 am told that some of you fellows have been
instructed not to allow me to go away from
here except in pine box in the express-car,
aud | want to say right here that l am &C.
quainted with the plot from beginning to end
and that intend to carry out my original in
tention and see where this ore and bullion is
taken to in the middle of the night"
The party was disconnected at first and asked
me what l meant. l told him, and further
stated that one of the men in the compact to
kill me was not far away; in fact, he was in
sight. That was the last had to do with him
personally, though you may be sure | kept my
eyes open all the time was at the mines.
At last Mr.. Fox has won his fight,
but will nor bring criminal proceedings
against the defendants. He thinks that
rests with the District Attorney and the