The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1895-11-03
MADE OUT A STRONG CASE
Closing Testimony Against the
WiIIards
A BRANCH MANAGER SPEAKS
She Never Received a Single Order
From an Agent
A Map Showing the Unique Distribution Of
Agents and Branches Other Cases
and Court Notes
A BRANCH MANAGER SPEAKS

OF using the United States mails for the
purpose of fraud was resumed before
Judge Wellborn and jury in the United
States district court yesterday morning.
The government introduced IN evidence
three letters from Mrs. Willard to Mrs.
A. J. Rapp of Nevada City, two Of which
were written from Los Angeles and one
from Battle Creek Mich, of the same
general tenor as those written by that
versatile young woman to her other vic
TINS. Mrs. Rapp had also been brought
down from Nevada City by the govern
ment and was on the stand as witness.
Mr.. Brooks objected to the introduce
ton of the letters, but the objection was
overruled, alter argument, and United
States Attorney Denis proceeded with the
reading. The first was dated Los Ange-
les. October 20. 1894, and acknowledges
the receipt of $50. says that the names of
twelve agents will be sent her, together
with the requisite printed matter, and
concludes witA wishing her sister man
ager the best luck in her enterprise. The
second letter is dated November 10, 1894,
and in this Mrs. Willard apologies for
not being able to fill her order, as she is
atory force on the hustle to make even
partial shipments. She is sorry that she
has bad to neglect her dear sister mau-
ager, but promises to make up for this by
sending her some extra fine printed mat
ter. She then gives a glowing account Of
the success her agent in New York City
is meeting with. saying the t she has just
received an order from one drug house
for $3.50. the largest single order ever
given in the United States, and pictures
a highly successful career for Mrs. Rapp.
She says that she is sorry that there was
any Misunderstanding about the agents.
but promises to fill all orders promptly
in future. and also IN ''honoi and truth"
reminding Mrs. Rapp that further re-
mittance of $40 to cover future orders will
be very acceptable as she is pressed for
money, owing to the extraordinary ex.
penditures for printed matter, etc. The
third letter is from Battle Creek. Mich.
and bears date of February Ia, 1895. 1t
appears that Mrs. Rapp had found
another company" operating in her ter
ritory under authority of Mrs. Willard,
and had called that lsdy's ATTENTION to it.
The result was gentle roast from Mrs.
Willard, in which she spoke more in sor-
row than in anger at Mrs. Rspps' appar.
ent lack of confidence in her, tIisclaimed
all knowledge OF this rival coinpdny, gay
ing that she had referred thu matter to
her brother, who, by the way, is JUS
tice of the peace. for investigation with
view to having the parties arrested. for
criminal libel. Mrs. Willard fusther init
mates that if Mrs. Rapp is stall di.satis-
fed with her, rather than have any hard
feelings, she will permit her TO Withdraw
as branch manager, and she Will try to
find some one to take her place.
Mr.. Denis then proceeded to interrogate
the witness. after Or. e. vigorous objection
ruled by the court, in which it was
brought out that the company COM
planned of by Mrs. kapp was thu "Royal
Bloom" scheme, that Mrs. Rnpp had
communicated with The twelve agents
furnished by Mrs. Willard. but had re-
ceived no replies, and further thst not a
single order had been received from these
agents, not even Mrs. Ransom OF Eonanza
ranch.
Mr.. Brooks offered in evidence pos
tai card from Mrs. Rapp to Mrs. Willard
apoloeizing for her letter of cansure.
which was duly marked aid entered as
an exhibit.
Postal Inspector NJ. H. Flint then tick
the stand and identified an official uos-
tai map Of California and Nevada, which
had been prepared by him under the di
rection of the United States attorney for
the purpose of illustrating to the jury
how these so-called branch man 4 era
we're located, with reference to their al,
legged agents. This was done by means
of discs Of different colored paper pinIed
on the map. large disc representing she
branch manager and smaller discs of the
same color the location of the agents.
Mrs. Stevens of Gilroy was represented by
orange, Miss Vaughn of Colusa by l;Sht
blue, Mrs. Dixon dark blue. Mrs. Bartlett
red, Mrs. Dinsinore of Angels Camp pink
and Mrs. Bacon green Sumo of the facts
shown by this means are peculiar, to say
the least. For instance, the branch mana
ger at Colusa was given the name of an
agent at Garvanza, while the Angels
Camp manager was given the name of
an agent at Cotton. In fact, it seemed to
be part OF the plan to give the branch
managers agents as far distant from them
as possible.
Mr.. Brooks objected vigorously to the
introduction of the map in evidence, but
his objection was overruled and the map
went in.
Mr.. Brooks then tried to show that the
government had subpoenaed Mrs.
Stearns and Miss Graves of Tucson, Ariz..
as witnesses, but on finding that they
We're not satisfactory, declined to put
them on. Mr.. Denis denied that such
government rested its case.
1t being then II 80 o'clock, Judge Well
born announced that he would adjourn
until 2 o'clock, when Mr.. Brooks at
tempted to run a bluff by announcing
that he was willing 10 submit the case
without argument. to which Mr.. Denis
promptly objected, and the court ad.
Journed to o'clock.
At O'clock United States ATTORNEY
Denis opened for the people, reviewing the
evidence, and was followed by =. c.
Bower for the defense, who occupied the
ing Mr.. Brooks will ontinue for the de-
tense. and Mr.. Denis will close for the
people. The case will go to the Jury
Monday afternoon.
Serious Charges by Mrs. Leonis
Maria Espiritu Chijulla de Leonis has
brought suit against Laurent Etchepare