davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The San Francisco call., 1897-06-25

and ordinary powder. He fired three shots
but only one was heard outside the store.
J. w. Raphael, manager of the incorpo-
rated house of "Raphaeis," had lunched
with Hoffman and other friends at noon,
June /. Hoffman spoke of his family
affairs; was accustomed to speak of such
matters nearly every time tuey met; re-
terred 10 trouble he had had with his
mother-in-law, growing out of disagree
ments concerning the winding up OF the
affairs of Hoffman & Alexander. Witness
did not deem it serious. Witness was
with Hoffman on the night of the fire of
Dece mber Z, 1895 Hoffman acted like
N madman, insisting upon entering the
building while it was in flames, and was
only prevented from doing so by the po-
lice, who threatened to arrest him. Wit
ness accompanied Hoffman home that
night and had difficulty in doing 80, as he
seemed nysterical.
ibid Hoffman ever talk as if in fear of
certain personsP" asked the Coroner.
He often talked about ONE one going
TO do him. 1t was q mere matter of
boast with him l thought l told him he
ought to do the 'doer.
Did you often notice Hoffm an in a
state of hysteria p
"Yes. have seen him that way more
than once"
Mr.. Louderback, who is counsel for Theo-
dore Figel, leaned over and asked the
OOIOuoI W 4uSSllOu on
this point, as TO the state or condition of
Hoffman's mind.
AT this the Coroner rather pointedly
advised the lawyer not to make such sug-
gestions. THAT is lawyers trick" he
said. "a way of getting impressions before
the jury which | will not allow here. If
IL is repeated, l will have to request the
lawyers all to leave the room. l am going
to conduct this inquest IN my own way"
The witness in his further testimony
said that the threats about some body
doing" him, grew out of Hoffman's
vanity, he believed. Hoffman was a very
successful merchant; no house could stand
better in the commercial world than that
of Hoffman & Rothchild.
Reverting to the subject of some one
doing" Hoffman, witness said he was in
company with the eceased one day when
they approached a cigar-stand where one
OF the Alexander boys was standing, and
Hoffman said that this was tie man he
had referred to in that connection. Wit
The San Francisco call., 1897-06-25

paper tells the story of this slow and pain
ful writing. This signature, said the ex-
pert, was not written so, and therefore
was not the work of forger.
You think this signature Is genuine
thenP asked the Coroner, having al
iusted himself to the changed attitude of
the witness.
yes, sir, do" with great confidence.
You are an expert penman yourself,
Mr.. Kyika2"
"Yes, sir"
"And you say you could not initiate
that signature no matter how you might
practice it2"
mo, sir; no man could. 1t would be
impossible. l might write it so as to de-
ceive the eye, but l could not write it
with that PERFECTION"
Mr.. Louderback here could not with
to press this point so that it could not
get away. The Coroner again heatedly
declared that he intended to conduct the
inquest as he thought best.
Have you anything further?" said the
Coroner to the witness.
Mr.. Kytka took up his larger photo
graph of the receipt and pointing to the
figure said:
Yes, I am convinced that this rece ipt
was originally Tor $500, and that this g
was inserted by another hand. In other
words, the receipt has been raised from
$500 to $500, and TO that extent it is a
forgery"
This provoked new earthquaky condi-
tions and the necessity of hurried re-
alignment of sympathies and preiudices.
"You think the receipt, then, Is forgery
so far as the amount is concerned, said
the Coroner.
ITO that extent-yes.
Mr.. Louderback had lost all interest in
the witness. 1--WE all know what these
experts are" he said, soto voce.
DR.. G. A. Danziger is distant relative
OF the deceased. In a conversation with
him on the 1st of June that turned to
horseracing and betting Hoffman had
said: why, my own bookkeeper is
heavy bettor ON the races. l don't know
where they get the money. don't un-
stand how this fellow, on a paltry salary,
can afford TO own race horses"
Witness said he knew Hoffman was
very bitter against certain of the relatives,
and when he heard of the killing the
thought came to him that some of "the
boys" might have had hand in il. But,
he said. he would not openly reflect upon
his own family under any circum stances,
and, therefore, he had given his uneQuivo-
cal opinion to Chief Lees that it was sui
eide. Since other names had been used
In connection with the tragedy ne had
changed his opinion.
The San Francisco call., 1897-06-25

have been with him nearly every day
lately"
"Do you know man named Peter
Powers2r
Yes, SIR
Ibid you make the statement to him
that you had lost about $4,000 OF Flgefs
money!
81 did not"
ibid you ask Figel to borrow money
from Mr.. Joseph for your
mo. sir. l don't remem Der of speaking
OF Joseph. 1 asked him to get me some
money"
J. F. Moran, property clerk Of the
found in the Office the night of the
tragedy. He said that the barrel when he
received it was spattered and streaked
with blood from the muZZle to the handle.
8. q. Murphy, president of the First
National Bank, testified that Figel was at
the safe deposit vaults at 5; ;46 on June l.
Charles A. Kinkle, teller at the First
National Bank, said that Figel had come
to the bank on the afternoon of the 1st of
June with New York draft. He seemed
excited, so much so that Mr.. Friedman
and himself commented on it. He said
Figel brought with him a deposit tag.
which witness rem marked as singular, as
depositors generally leave that to the
tellers.
Alfred PerutE, receiving teller of the
bank, said Figel brought TO the bank ante
dated checks on several occasions to meet
demands. 1t was unusual TO do this.
Figel brought two checks to meet a $1,000
demand, one for $1,000 bearing current
date; the other for $500 was dated several
days in advance and witness refused to Ac-
cept them.
Charles AItshul, manager of the bank,
reported conversations he had had with
Mr.. Ach and with Chief Lees relative to
FigePs transactions with the bank. Ach
had said that there was more evidence
against Figel now than there was against
Durrant when the latter had been arrested,
and yet Figel was allowed to go free.
Witness said that he, Altshul, had re-
marked to Chief Lees that he would not
be in his shoes for all the police force"
What did you mean by thatH"
81 meant that Chief Lees was a close
friend of the Figels."
William NJ. Taylor had made a state
ment to the police, which was read, as fol-
lows:
Statement of w. NJ, Taylor, 20 MonteEuma
street, near Bernal Heights, made TO ]. w.
Lees, Chief OF Police, in the matter of the
death OF Isaac Hoffman, Sunday, June s, in
the presence of Attorneys Rothchild and Ach.
l first became acquainted with Figel in No
vember or October, 1880, having received ems
4 Alexander. Worked there until after the
beginning of April after the first fire. ] then
LEFT for Alasks, where l was employed. with
the exception Of one year (when went to San
JOSEF, until October, 1895. l then came down
here and looked Cor employment and received
none, and having spoken to Ffgel on horse
for him at the track, some of which were very
successful.
Understanding that the horse Tenn pestuous
was for sale and thinking 1t good buy and
(FigeD would buy the horse and give me an
opportunity if 1 should make money TO pur-
The San Francisco call., 1897-06-25
TAYLOR CONTRADICTED.
Harry Hoffman Has Something tc
Say Regarding the Fire of
Hoffman & Alexander


Immediately after hearing the testi-
mony of w. NJ. Taylor yesterday regard
ing the fire of 1891 in the establishment of
Hoffman d Alexander, Harry Hoffman
prepared the following statement for pub
lication:
1t was on Friday night whel was asked
TO go TO the store and help Taylor work on the
Chinese books, so that might know how
much money 10 draw from the banks 10 pay
them the next day. Taylor and l went there,
and we worked together at the desk for about
half hour. Taylor was smoking q cigar
Qnever have smoked), and passed a remark
about II, and said TO Taylor IL was "stinker''
that he was smoking. He laughed and we
kept on working. A few minutes after he
said; "By Coo, it does smell as if something
was burning"
We turned around. Our backs were turned
toward the front door while we were working
at the desk, and we both gave yell we saw
the fire. We both ran toward the door where
the fire was. He exclaimed, "Get me some
water" AS knew where the water stood aud
Tay or did not, went upstairs myself got the
sprln kllng-can, filled 1t with water at the
faucet, ran down 10 the lower floor and COM
menced wetting wherever l saw smoke or fire.
When the water gave out each of us took
heaYy oVercoat and commenced beating the
fire down, and soon we put the FIRE out. When
we finished that said, Lets fnd the watch
man and ring in the alarm" He rang in the
alarm. The FIRE patrol that is near the Palace
Hotel came around, and they ran upstairs and
opened the windows to let the smoke out.
Some body had sent a messenger TO Mr.. Hof-
man TO come down to the store. He came
down about $50 8 O'Clock. Taylor and l
began TO exp ain what had happened. He
said, Never mind the explanation, but go
ahead and take away the wet goods, so that
the balance can not get injured"
he made the remark, from what the messen-
ger had told him about the fire, he thought
the whole house was burning. He helped
take the wet goods away from the pile and
put out the FIRE wherever he found any smoke.
When the pat'ol hremen came in they told us
that we did a sensible thing in not opening
the doors until after we hRd put the fire out.
Mr.. Hoffman gave Taylor and me a suit OF
clothes for our services in putting out the fire
Mr.. Taylor and l were constantly together
while Mr.. Hoffman was in the store, and he
never made any such remark about letting the
things burn as Taylor talks about. TAYLOR is
an intimate chum of Figel, and Figel is down
on me because he knows I was the person that
cautioned Mr.: Rothchild and Mr.. Hoffman
about his gambling on horse-racing.
The San Francisco call., 1897-06-25

acter of Isaac Hoffman by Theodore
Figel, and the peculiar explanations and
conduct of Chief Lees in this matter"
The San Francisco call., 1897-06-25
THE INQUEST.
Experts Confirm the Opinion That
the Check Was q Forgery.

Experts Confirm the Opinion That
the Check Was a Forgery.
Coroner Hawkins made squirt yester-
day-his effort to wind up the inquest,
but 1t was unavailing, for at the hour of
adjournment Chief Lees announced that
he had a number of witnesses that he
wished TO have heard, and another session
will therefore be held this morning.
Among the long list of those called Jes-
terday but comparatively few had any
thing m material TO say.
George w. Russell, corporal of police.
testified to having made the diagram OF
the Office of Hoffman, Rothchild q Co..
where the body was found, together with
the marks OF bloody tragedy. He de-
scribed the several rooms and measure
ments In detail. He made the measure
ments on the 7th of June, q week after
the tragedy. There had been a good deal
OF comment concerning the quantity of
red ink indications of blood on the dia-
gram. The Chief told him not to put any
thing on the diagram which he did not
find In the Office. After this he examined
the carpet under nagnifying glass and
said there were more blood marks on the
carpet than he had ind icated on the man.
Joseph Mogan, steward of the Receiving Q
Hospital, testified that he had searched
the body of Hoffman when it was taken
there, and that he found among other
things money to the amount of So 45 in sill
yer in the pockets. There were no gold
pieces.
Joseph Mullane, teamster in the en-
ploy oil the company, heard Mr.. Hoffman
ask Mr.. Lauer for the loan of some money
and Mr. Lauer had handed him $50; wit
ness saw Lauer hand over three $5 gold
pieces. This was between 6:15 and $50
Ar. 49,
he was making his last trip for the day.
and he had subsequently timed himself
going over similar route to that he trav.
eled that evening.
M. 0. Feudner told of his experiments
with The revolver, testing the possibility
OF the sound being heard in the street
outside. he said he used both smokelsss
The San Francisco call., 1897-06-25

contains information that may have an
important bearing on the Hoffman case"
well, you can't see it. Hasn't Atkin-
son stated that he never said such thing
to Powers 2'
to testify to what he has stated to you?
Why should Atkinson's unsupported word
be taken against that of any other man !?
Do you mean to set yourself UP as the
judge of the veracIty of these two men ?'
In the conversation that followed the
chief admitted that he had no good reason
to oubt the word of Powers, but failed TO
explain why Powers had not been called
as witness by him.
The San Francisco call., 1897-06-25

chase the horse from him. He bought the
horse for S400 from Purser and told me that
on the payment of $400 to him l could have
the horse. The horse was run in the name of
Taylor Figel under the Fleur de Lis stable
have seen Figel since the death of Mr..
Honman probably five or six times. l saw
him at the store on the second day after the
death of Mr.. Hoffman, Thursday morning
ABOUT 10 O'Clock Had no particular CONVEX
sation with him a. the time. Mr.. Joseph Mr.
Gellert, Mr.. Harris and Mr.. Schultz were
there. Went in the store and stood in the
middle aisle and talked " ith Figel for not any
length OF time. He asked me If I would help
post the entries in the ledger. Went in the
The San Francisco call., 1897-06-25
AN IMPORTANT WITNESS.
Peter Powers VIII Testify That He
Was Told That Figel Had Lost
$1,000 on the Races.

Was Told That Figel Had Lost
SIT, 200 on the Races.
Peter Powers will be one of the most
important witnesses who has yet ep-
peared in the Hoffman inquest His
statement has been in the hands of Chief
Lees for some time, but he was not subpe-
naed until yesterday, ana then at the re-
quest of Attorney Ach. He will be exam
ined to-day.
He will swear that he bet some money
for Edgar L. Atkinson at a -acetrack. Be-
fore that he had been introduce to Theu-
dore Figel by Atkinson. The latter said
that Figel was the man for whom he was
betting the money. This was some time
in February of this year. On the 10Th of
February Atkinson had lost heavily on
Ransom, Coda and imported 6ain. At
the end of the imported Sain race Atkin-
son remarked to Powers, THAT makes
$17, 900 that have lost for him (meanine
Figel) without virtually winning bet"
Chief Lees was asked last night if he
had a statement made by Peter Powers.
He said that he had.
will you allow me to see it2D asked
the reporter of THE CALL.
mo, sir" brusquely answered the Chief.
81 would like to see 1t. l understand il
The San Francisco call., 1897-06-25
RAILROAD TRAVEL.

SOUTHERN PACIFIC COMPANY.
iPAOIFIC sYsrEM.)
Trains leave and are dine TO arrive at
SAN FRANCISCO.
The San Francisco call., 1897-06-25
ALLAN
AND
PACIFIC
RAILROAD

Trains leave from and arrive at Mar.
ket-st. Ferrv
The San Francisco call., 1897-06-25
kORTH PACIFIC COAST RAILROAD
Cvia sausalito Ferryl..

From San Francisco. Commencing May 2 1897.
WEEKDAYS
For MIL Valley and san Rafael-7 100, sS:lb
S:aS !a;SO A. NJ; "l;45, $50, 4;O0, 5:lS,
Extra trips for San Rafael on Mondays, Wednes.
days and Saturdays at IL 80 P. n.
SUNDAYS.
For MIL Valley and San RafaeI-&8 .OO 60 .on
s!O;00, ll:oo, 1850 =. NJ; 100, al :A6 $3.50
400, $3.50, 6:45, IL 100 p NJ
II 100 A n does not run to San Rafael: $3.50 ana
II :oO 2. NJ DO not run to Mill Valley.
Trains marked . run to San Quentin.
THROUGH TRAINS.
1:OO A n weekdays for Cazadero and wsv ssa
tonsi 1;Ao r. II Saturdays for Cazadero and
Wy stations: $500 \. n sundays for Caza6ero
nno Way STATIONS; 300 A. n. sundays for Point
Reyes and way stations
The San Francisco call., 1897-06-25
SANTA RI EXPRESS
MOUNT TAMALPAIS SCENIC RAILWAY

CVta Sausalito Ferry).
Leave San francisco Commencing May
2, 1897:
MEEk DAYs-s9:45 A. N; AS, 6;ls p Y
q az az \ DA AYs-S:00, $500. 1000, IL A Il; l'4s'
tickets for sale at MILL VALLEY or THos.
COOK SON, 62l Market st. San Frsneisca
kanG& FAAee H0tegl TeleDh9aa &AA eVNA
The San Francisco call., 1897-06-25

Cured by the celebrated treat
ment, hudyan. 1t is just as
certain to cure you of your
troubles as you are certain to
take the treatment It you al
low yourself to read the won
derful words of praise by the
men who were cured. Call or
write for Circulars and Testi.
mOnials. Hudson Medical
Institute. Stockton, Market
and Ellis streets.
The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1897-11-22
THE RUBBEE COMPANIES.
Business This Year More Than Double
That of T4ast Year.

Mr.. Chester J. Pike of the United
States Rubber company says: 1.-THE
United States Rubber company has
sold since the first Of April, the begin
ming of it's fiscal year, more than twice
and quarter times as many cases of
goods as it sold last year, or any year
since it has been in business goods
sold, delivered and charged for), and
the company has sold twice as many
goods in dollars, Notwithstanding prices
are Is per cent. less than last year.
Some Of the factories are behind $4,000
cases on orders, and our big earning
factories have made more money this
year with the low prices than they did
at the same factories last year, owing
to the tremendous increase in produc-
ton. The Wales Goodyear and the
Goodyear Rubber company, at Nauga-
tuck, Conn. are between $4,000 and co.
600 cases behind on orders in each fac
tory. A case is worth about SIS, so
the value OF these orders can easily be
reckoned. We are behind 5000 to TO-
900 cases Of boots at the Woonsocket
factory. The auction sales of goods by
the United States company was more
than satisfactory; in fact, the goods
brought all they were WORTH
The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1897-11-22
THE TIGERS ARRIVE HOME.
All of the Men Are in Good Condition
Physically.

Princeton,N. J,Nov. 21-The Prince
ton football team returned to town to-
night, accompanied by the coaches and
the trainer. All of the men are in good
condition physically and appear none
the worse for bruises and Jolts received
in their contest with Yale They are
greatly depressed over the unexpected
defeat, but it is safe to say the defeat
of Saturday will be forgotten in a brief
time and the Tigers will work all the
harder to turn the tables on Yale next
year. The defeat was great disap-
pointment to the undergraduates, but
there has been nothing but praise for
the players over their plucky work and
the good natured manner in which they
took their loss of the day and the
cause.
The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1897-11-22
PLOT AGAINST 0UESTAF.
Has Produced Strong Favorable Feeling
for Brazil's President.

Montevideo, Nov. 21.-On Friday eve
ming last the government frustrated a
plot of the adherents Of ex-President
Herrera Obes in the legislature to kid
nap and depose Senor Cuestaf, who sue
ceeded to the presidency ad interim af-
ter the assassination of Senior Borda.
The discovery of this plot has produced
strong popular demonstrations in favor
of Senior Cuestas, whose candidature for
the presidency is now formally pro-
claimed by the Blancos and by all par
ties except the adherents Of the old
regime.
The latter, who, owing to the corrupt
electioneering methods they have used,
constitute a large majority in the legis-
lature refuse to accept Senior Cuestas
and threaten to elect a retrogressive
president. The dissolution of the cham
ber, which is generally regarded as the
only step that will save the country
from disaster and another revolution,
would be warmly approved by public
opinion, and the army would probably
support Senior Cuestas against both
chambers, which would then be power
less.
The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1897-11-22
FIGHTING FACTIONS IN AUSTRIA.
Social Democrats Throw Beer Glasses at
Christian Socialists.

Vienna, Nov. 21-The hostility be-
tween the Christian socialists and the
social democrats which exists in all
parts of Austria and frequently leads
to sharp collisions between rival parti-
sans and has resulted in serious riot
ing at Gratz, the capital city of Stria,
the seat of important cotton and wool
en- manufacturers.
While the Christian socialists were
holding meeting there to-day the
social democrats forced their way in,
broke up the meeting and pelted the
Christian socialists with beer glasses.
The promoters of the meeting rushed
from the hall and the disturbances were
continued on the street outside. The
police and military were summoned,
but were stoned by the rioters. They
then charged the mob with fixed bayo-
nets, killing one person and wounding
many. Ten Of the ring leaders have
been arrested. Five policemen were
badly hurt during the rioting.
The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1897-11-22
HELD UP CAERrAGE RIDERS.
One Victim in Precarious Condition
Causes Sensation in Natuck.

One Victim In Precarious Condition
Causes Sensation in Natuck.
Natuck, Mass, Nov. 21.-John Mikea,
a Hungarian, and Thomas Henier while
riding home from Shelbourne last night
were held up near Shelbourne Swamp
by two men, who pulled them from the
team and after beating them into un-
consciousness made off with $28 of Mi
keas money. By quick and energetic
work the police before noon to-day had
arrested John Dunn and Ned Powers
on suspicion and $25 was found on the
former, for which he could not account
The affair created tremendous SEN
sation in the town, especially as Mikea
is lying in a precarious condition, while
Henier is also suffering from severe
bruises about the head and shoulders.
Both the victims of the hold-up are well
known here, as are the two men who
are under arrest, and the preliminary
hearing tomorrow, at which both the
suspected men say they will plead not
guilty, will probably attract a large
crowd.
The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1897-11-22
sBERqHA 4. MELLIsH MISSING.
No Trace Found of MT. Holyoke College
Student.

Springfield, Mass, Nov. 21.--All day
long men have been securing the woods
about Mt. Holyolle college in Hadley
searching for the missing student, Miss
Bertha Lane Mellish. No trace of her
has been found and her friends have
practically given up hope of finding her
alive. State Detective Munyon to-day
took up the case. He is of the opinion
that the girl was drowned in the Con-
nectiout river either accidentally or in
suicide.
No reason can be ascertained for her
leaving college without a word to any
one. Her closest friend in college, Miss
NJ L. Eaton, says that Miss Mellish
was very venturesome and that she
frequently took long walks in the fields
and woods. 1t may be that she wan
dered away Thursday afternoon fur
ther than usual and became lost and
has perished in the woods.
The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1897-11-22
A CRAZY SAILOR'S KNEE.
Savagely Attacks His Mates and Then
Kills Himself.

Savagely Attacks His Mates and Then
Kills Himself
Boston, Nov. 21-Manuel Genoario. a
sailor on the fishing schooner Two For
ty of Gloucester, lying at T wharf, went
crazy during last night and ran amuclS
with a sharp knife, attacking his ship
mates and badly wounding them while
they were lying in the hunks. Genoario
was afterwards found dead upon the
floor of the cabin, his throat cut and
his knife, covered with blood, in his
hand.
Captain Antonio F. Silva, the master,
says that Genoario was sleeping peace
fully in his own bunk when he turned
in at 10 o'clock last night. Early this
morning Genoaria got out of his bunk
with a fish knife In his hand, and at
once attacked four shipmates who were
in the other hunks. Howard Spanlla
and Joseph Key were first attacked in
the most savage manner by the crazy
man, who next tried to reach the cap
tain.