The San Francisco call., 1895-12-19
From a photograph

sible for the arrest of Radford and for
many of the indignities to which he has
been subjected. Should any harm come
to him the Kaiser will be called upon to
explain certain acts of his representatives
at this port and at Panama. The story of
who Radford is and the trouble in which
he now finds himself has only been par
tally told.
In the early part of the present year
there came to San Francisco a gentleman
of fine appearance and seemingly pos
sessed of considerable wealth. He opened
an account with a local bank by deposit
ing some $4,000. This was Colonel Rad
ford. but as to where he was from be failed
to tell. He appointed a representative
here with full Instructions to forward such
mail as might come TO him TO an address
which would be furnished later.
When next heard of Colonel Radford
was at Cali, Colombia, where he thought
of engaging in business. In the mean
time number of letters bearing the Rich
mond, Va, postmark, came to his address
here. These were forwarded to Cali, along
with a considerable sum of money, the
result OF a check sent by Radford in his
first communication.
About three months ago Radford pur-
chased a coffee planta ton from German
by the name of Simonds. The man in
actual possession of the property refused
10 vacate, claiming that 1t was his and had
never belonged to Simonds. Radford i'm
mediately visited the latter, and in the
alteration which followed Simonds was
shot to death. Radford's version of the
affair, with the indignities that have since
been heaped upon him, is best told in
letter to the imprisoned mans agent in
this City, written by Jason c. Hubbard,
Radford's partner.
The letter is as follows:
PANAMA Colombia, November 1.
Mr.. Hfr1ng-DEAR SIR: l called on the Ameri
can Consul IN regard TO Colonel Radford, and
I am informed that he will, in all probability
be shot perhaps before ! arrive at Cali, which
will not be before the 18th. The Consul read
a letter from the colonel in which was shown
the fearful condition of things in prison. He
is loaded with irons Until he cannot turn with
out help, and is most shamefully treated.
Every place the irons touch the skin is off, He
declared to the Consul that the shooting was
in self-defense. Simonds raised chair to strike
him, when he pulled his gun and fired the
fatal shot.
1t was all over a house on the land the
colonel bought from Simonds. When he went
to take possession of it the man in the house
said it was his house and refused to get out.
Radford then went to SimondS to nave him put
the man out, when Simonds said: 81 don't
own the place. You bought it and paid for it
and you must put him out yourself" OF
course that would make any one mad to buy
some thing from q man which he did not own.
An alteration took place in which Simonds
was killed. will write you from Cali. Yours
J. C. HUBBARD.
From Cali, under date of November %,
Mr.. Hubbard writes another letter, in
which the German Consul at this place or
Panama, it is not just clear which, Is made
TO play an important part. 1t reads as
follows:
I suppose you would like to
know how the colonel is faring. He has a
clear case OF self-defense, but he has O COM
bination of rascals to buck against. who so far
have had it all their own way. l think they
will run on snag before long that will open
their eyes. The American Consul at Panama
appointed q man to look after Radford's in
terests here, but 1t SO happens that he is ad-
ministrator on the estate of Smonds and was
also partner of his in the steamb boat business
He has sent out many false reports about Rad
ford, which the Consul at Panama has be-
lieved, either because he did not want to find
out the truth or was misinforIned.
l am glad to say, however, that President
Cleveland, Secretary Herbert and Secretary
Olney are doing all they can for Radford, as is
minister Mckinney of Bogota. The latter will
ask for a change OF venue to either BOgota or
Panama, for he could not get fair trial here
hardly think he could get a fair trial in
Panama, with the German element to buck
against, so am endeavoring to have his trial
take place in Bogota.
Canals letters and seemed much pleased. The
next day, however, ne received a telegram
which he said came from San Francisco, warn.
ing him to look out for me and two men, as we
had come TO take Radford out of jail He was
too intelligent man to believe such nonsense
but just the same the Judge ordered extra
chains put on Radford and extra guards to
watch him.
To this letter is added the following in
teresting postscript:
Since sealed up this letter learn from very
good sources that 1t was the German Consul at
SanFrancisco who sent the information to the
Prefect that we intended to release Radford
The German Consul at this port, Oswald
Lohan, denied through his secretary YES
terday that any such message was sent
from his office. In fact he discaimed any
knowledge whatever of Radford, Simonds
or any one connected with the affair.
However the matter is being investigated
by the Washington authorities, and ii it
can be shown that the Consuls here or at
Panama have been instrumental in de-
priving Radford of his liberty big in
demnity will be Immediately demanded
From all l can gather" Mr.. Elfving
said yesterday, II am satisfied that Ger
man influence is at the back of Radford's
troubles and whether it is being worked
from this end or at Panama is not posi-
lively known as yet; but that some repre-.
sentative of the German Government is at
the bottom of it all is shown beyond aues-
ton. Simonds had been living in Cali
for twenty years, and during that time ac-
cumulated an immense fortune. 1t is nat
urai, therefore, that he should have many
friends, and that they could cause the