The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-23
Present Management of Golden
: Gate Park Cannot Be
Commended.
PAYMENTS TO CONTRACTORS.
Office of Water and Gas Inspector
Should Be Abolished-No Mere
Superior Courts Neseed.

The Grand Jury, Frederick Hobbs, fore
man, concluded its work yesterday and
adjourned sine die. When the final re-
port was presented in Judge Slaek's court
only three mem bers were ABSENT. Ross
Jackson, E. P. Farnsworth and NJ. Spiro.
Judge Slack was about to dismiss the
Jury with his thanks when A. Barnard, an
attorney retained to defend Frank Far
rggh, interposed with request that the
Hembers OF the jury be not discharged
3ptil. he could question them regarding
has in finding the indictment against his
client
Farragh was indicted for stealing $500
from the firm of Lachman & jacob. AT
torney Barnard raises the point that sew
eral OF the grand jurors who voted for the
indictment were not on the assessment
roll. For other reasons be desires to chal-
lenge them. His motion to detain the
jury was denied, The court holding that
the members could be called Individually
after the adjournment.
. During the session OF the jury yesterday
afternoon the Robinson Donaldson land
trade was again considered. In the pro-
ceeding an accusation is made that George
W. Donaldson tended TO Farmer Robinson
a piece of land in Monterey County.
and that the fact was Shrewdly concealed
that the San Francisco Loan and Savings
Bank held trust DEED on the land to
secure the payment OF $1,000. borrowed
from the bank in 1880 by Donaldson Sr.
Robinson gave ten acres of land in Men
dUcino County and $500 in cash for 200
acres in Monterey County. He told tie
Grand Jury that the abstract and deed
submitted for his Examination contained
no reference to an incumbrance.
A. E. Enquest, notary public. before
whom the papers were executed was
witness yesterday. After his testimony
was given w. Z. Donaldson, son of
George w. Donaldson, was called In. He
submitted sworn statement to the jury
in effect as follows:
Ny father George w. Donaldson, has been
resident Of Monterey County for thirty years,
and has always been beyond Feproech. My
brother, }. T. Donaldson, has been farming in
Monterey County for eighteen years. I have
lived in Monterey County for sixteen years,
and have been l. resident of san Francisco Tor
one year.
The transaction with Mr. Robinson was fair
in every respect, as 1 can absolutely prove.
The san Francisco Savings and Loan Bank ap-
praised the land in Monterey County at
$500. Its present vslua ion is $25 per acre.
We received fOT 1t ten acres OF land III MeHdO-
elmo County valued al $1,000 and $500 in
cash. You can see from this that the trans
Action Is lair.
\ The deed itself distinctly reeited the prior
fncumbrance, and have abundant proof that
Robinson was informed OF IL Ny father,
brother and myself have real estate. and we
are able to respond to any civil action if this
case is proved 10 be unfs If. l submit that
great injustice would be done If any action
should be taken BIZ the Grand Jury without
giving an opportunity to be heard.
The Grand Jury did not take any action
on the case Yesterday and further investi-
CATION may be referred to the incoming
Grand Jury. Mr.. McCaughey, counsel for
Mr.. Robinson, asserts that letters are in
the possession of his client which show
that Donaldson represented that the
property was worth $4,000 but would be
sold for $500. These letters contain no
alusion 10 an incnmbrance. Mr.. Robin
son swore before the Grand Jury that the
original deed and abstract presented Tor
mis- inspection did not contain reference to
a trust deed. Mr.. Cunningham, whole
sale grocer on Clay street. corroborated
that testimony. Yesterday Mr.. Donald
son syore that the deed and abstract did
mention the incumbrance. He testt-
fed that Robinson knew OF the lien when
the trade was made.
Following is the text OF the final report
OF the Grand Jury flied yesterday alter
moon.
SAN FRANCISCO, December %, 1896.
To the Honorable Charles ". Slack, Presiding
Judge Of tie Superior curt, City ana County OF
San Frdncisco-DEAR SIR: We, the Grand Jury
of said City and County, most respectfully