The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-06-18
The Gift of His Rich Friend Seized
by Local and Federal
Authorities.
COMPLICATIONS MAY FOLLOW.
Joe Livingstone's Claim Against the
Whitehall Turfman Is Not
Yet Satisfied.

Talbot Clifton's coach, the vehicle which
set all Blingum crazy two years ago, and
later caused Whitehall McCarty to dream
of dollars easily earned, has fallen indi-
rectly into the hands of the United States
Government. Collector Wise, as the rep
resentative of the Federal authorities. has
put in claim of $500 for duty that has
not been paid.
1t appears that the coach arrived here in
July, 1894. Clifton was then cutting wide
swath in the City, spending money like
water in his effort to beat the races and the
poker games at various clubs. He con-
ceived the idea of paralyzing "Bllngum"
with coach and four the like of which
had never been seen here. He ordered
British manufacturer to hammer together
a vehicle at a cost of over $4,000. and when
it arrived there was rush of admiring
friends to behold it.
a Deputy Collector happening to see the
coach bethought him of law relating to
the duty on imported vehicles and found
that the Government was entitled to duty
of 45 per cent of the value of the coach.
This duty, however, was collectable only
in the event that the vehicle was to be
sold. When Clifton was reminded of the
law he vowed that he did not intend to sell
the coach, but that he purposed to keep it
for his private use until the spokes gave
way. On this statement the coach and
Clifton were allowed to depart
Some weeks ago Clifton was summoned
to England to ''stand for Parliament" He
left hurriedly, and in his going failed to
recall debt of $1,000 due the Burlingame
Club. He embered, however, to trans
fer to McCarty the famous coach, together
with sundry other articles.
When the white hat gentleman ap-
peared, however, to claim his property he
was met with the bill above mentioned.
There was some parleving and not few
threats, resulting finally in mccarthy send
ing a cablegram to his lordship relating
how matters stood.
Clifton promptly telegraphed an order
for $780, and McCarty was at once given
possession of the coach. But his triumph
was short lived. 1t seems that in 1892 the
whitehall turfrnan borrowed $1,000 from
Joe Livingstone, which he has since been
unable to pay.
Livingstone has tried every possible way
to secure his coin, but could never find
anything belonging TO McCarty. Sud-
denly, however, Clifton's gift hove in
sight, and the alert creditor lost no time
in securing an attachment on the same.
But now Collector Wise steps forward
with a claim of As per cent ad valorem
duty on the coach which on valuation
of $1,000, amounts to exactly 5000. The
Collector claims that Clifton made false
statements to evade the payment of the
duty, and holds that the Government
must be paid first. 1t is quite likely that
the action of Mr.. Wise will result in con-
siderable litigation.
In the meantime Livingstone is wonder
ing just what figure he cuts in the situa-
ton. McCarty, be of white-h fame,
smiles pleasantly at ali the trouble his
erratic friend Clifton has ted, and ex-
presses the belief that he will come out of
the wreck sole owner and proprietor of
Blingum's famous four-in-hand.
The effects in the Maison Richie apart
ments, which were left to McCarty by
Clifton, were attached yesterday by the
Sheriff for S155, which w. S. Bradbury, a
contractor, claims is owing him from the
wearer of the white hat.