The herald., 1897-06-24
HIS RECEIPT is A FORGERY
HE 0AMBLED HEAVILY WITH
FIRM FUNDS
Proof offered Of Attempted suborna-
ton Of Perjury, But Hoffman's
Murder - Unexplained
associated Press Special Wire.

ninth day Of the Hoffman inquest was
a, decidedly interesting one. three dis
tinct sensations being developed dur
ing the examination Of as many wit
neeses. In the first place, 1t was shown
by indisputable evidence that Isaac
Hoffman could not have signed the
$4,000 receipt on May Is, as Figel claims
he did, for he was in Sacramento on
that date. 1t was further shown that
Figel had for months been embezzling
the FIRMS cash and that he could not
have given the sums which he says he
gave to Hoffman, because they were
transferred to his private account at the
bank instead of being credited to the
payers Then, again, B. Joseph, from
whom Tigel borrowed money, swore
that the bookkeeper tried to induce him
after the tragedy to lie for him, and
failing to do 80 threatened him. Last,
but not least, brother-in-law Of the
junior partner in the firm of Hoffman,
Rothchild & Co. stated that he had told
Hoffman of his bookkeepers sporting
proclivities three months ago, but was
informed that it was already known and
tAot tuC Ai IA NOoAS VONAN W ~AfSAN
ed in the near future.
Alfred Meyerstein was the next wit
ness called. His testimony took the
form of written statement to the chief
of police before the inquest. 1t was to
the effect that he had notified Hoffman
of Figers gambling proclivities come
three months ago. He had done so be-
cause his brother-in-law was the Junior
member of the Arm of Hoffman, Roth
child & Co. Hoffman had received the
news calmly and told witness that he
had known Of the matter for some time.
While he admitted that 1t was danger
Gus to employ a bookkeeper' who fol-
lowed such practices. Hoffman said that
in the event of shortage he felt conf
dent that Figel's father, who was
wealthy, would make 1t good At the
same time he stated his intention Of
having the books exported.
Attorney Henry Ach then resumed the
witness stand and continued his rela-
tion Of the interview with Figel after
the tragedy, where he left off yesterday.
With view of impeaching Figers state
ment with reference to the receipt for
$500, Ach swore that on May 18th, the
date on which 1t purports to have beer
signed, Hoffman could not have signed
1t as he was at Sacramento. Ach then
produced the firms books and further
attacked the bookkeeper's testimony by
showing that as 1t contained entries in
ink, pencil, and red ink. 1t was not at
all necessary for Figel to return for a
certain kind of ink as he stated was the
reason for his going back to the office
thn Of T,Yn 1cf ri hn,
proceeded to show the various falsifica-
tions contained in the books in Figel's
writing, and called the attention of the
jury to the fact that checks and drafts
amounting to over $4,000 had been re-
ceived at various times but never en-
tered to the credit Of the payers.
Ach next dwelt upon the improbability
Of the suicide theory and told Of tests
which he had made in the presence. of
credible witnesses for the purpose OF
showing that the shots fired inside Hoff-
mans Office could not be heard at the
point where one witness had said he
heard them. He also told of other expert
ments which he had made to test the ac-
curacy Of witnesses as to time and dis
tance. When asked by the Coroner
whether or not he. had offered the re-
ceipt for $500 which he declared to be a
forgery to Chief OF Police Lees to be
examined, he replied warmly that he
had not done SO, for the reason that on
every occasion upon which he had con-
suited Lees upon this case that officer
Immediately sent for Fisel and asked
him to explain.
M. Weiner testified to the effect that
he saw Hoffman in Sacramento on May
1S at the Golden Eagle Hotel.
B. Joseph. a money broker, who had a.
desk in Hoffman's office, told of his f1nan-
cial transactions with Figel since Octo-
ber, 1896, and related a sensational con-
versation with Figel soon after the trag-
edy. in which the bookkeeper asked him
to say that he haG loaned Hoffman
money instead Of to him, and also re-
quested him to say that he had seen
Hoffman sign the disputed receipt. When
he refused Figel stepped behind him
and said that he would have to take the
consequences. At this Joseph became
alarmed and promised to say what Figel
asked him.
Edward Rothchild upon being recalled
stated that he did not know of Figel's
playing the races when he left for New
York, and that after his arrival in the
east he had repeatedly tried to secure a
statement of the FIRMS finances from
Figel, but did not succeed until he wrote
to Hoffman about the matter.
The inquest was adjourned until to-
morrow.