The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-11
THE HUDELSON LIBEL.
The Defendant Gives His Testimony as
to Woodworths Proposed Mining
Deal.

Deal.
: The hearing of the libel suit against
Benjamin. f. Hudelson, which was contin-
ued in Judge Campbell's court yesterday
afternoon. attracted a large audience,
among them being several ladies.
The proceedings were enliyened by re-
peated interchanges of personal charac-
ter between the attorney for the defendant
and D. B. Woodwork, the complaining
witness. and at one time the defendant
asked the protection of the court from
Woodworth's slanderous illusions and,
looking at Woodwork, told him signitl-
cantly that if they we're made on the
street he would know how to protect him.
self. Rev Donald NJ. Ross was an inter-
ested spectator and repeatedly whispered
in Woodworth's ear.
The defendant took the stand and con-
tinued his testimony. At the second in
terview he had with Woodwork and Rev.
D. M. Ross. on March 81, one OF them
suggested that defendants should take an
interest in the mining property. Wood
worth did not have the report with him,
but brought it next day. 1t confirmed
suspicious that defendant had formed,
and he told Woodwork it was strange that
he should come to him asking for $4,000
on such mining property. Woodwork
replied that he and Ross had beenfcorTe-
spending about it, ana Ross had told him
he could get the money without any
trouble. Woodwork expatiated on what
he had done in Canada as a political
leader and manipulation, and how easy it
was TO get money. from men who had
political aspirations, such as John d.
Spreckels.
Defendant said to him, do you expect
me to go to john d. Spreckels and prom
Use him the support of the American Pro-
tective Association in consideration OF his
buying this mining property p and Wood
worth said ''yes." Defendant said he
would do nothing of the kind, and told
Wood worth he should have no trouble in
disposing of the property to mining men.
Finally Woodwork, who appeared to be
very nervous, left the report TO be type
written, and after his departure defendant
sent for M. 7: Brewer and G. w. Kyle and
told them of Woodworth'S proposition.
Next day Woodwork called, and in
Brewers presence defendant returned
him the report and said he was satisfied it
was a dishonest proposition. Woodwork
started to his feet and left the Office. On
April 8 Woodwork again called with the
affidavit of ii. F. Marshall which was the
first time defendant had heard of it.
Woodwork spoke about being nearly
insane at the posi- bility of such great
opportunity to maze money slipping
through his hands, and finally said that
if defendant would go to John D. Spreckels
and get $4,000 the balance could be ar
ranged, and he dictated the proposition.
Defendant said, "What about that con-
temptible affidavit of MARSHALL" and
Woodwork replied that il defendant
would get the money from John D.
Spreckels Marshall would make another
afndavit that the other affidavit was false
and would lake the first boat going to
Africa and never would be heard of again.
Defendant then said it was contemplate
proposition and every man connected
with it was blackmaller.
Wood worth said Owens had seen Mar
shalrs affidavit, and said it was true. De-
fendant replied if Owens said so he, too,
was a blackmailer. Woodwork got mad
and said: I'VE will publish this, which
will disrupt the association and ruin you
and your children" He then LETT the
office and defendant had not seen him
from that time till the other day, when he
was with the policeman who served the
warrant.
Wood worth commenced his cross-exam-
ination of defendant, when an argument
was precipitated as to the admissibilIty of
the defendants testimony taken at the trial
of Rev. d. M. Ross before the judiciary
board of the association. and it was not
concluded when an adjournment was
taken till Monday afternoon.