The San Francisco call., 1897-06-23
He and Others Rise in Strong
Defense OF the Honesty
of Hoffman.
EXPERT AMES GIVES a SWORN
OPINION.
The Receipt for $4,000 Declared in
UnequiyocaI Language to Bs
a Forgery.

Theodore A. Figel told his story under
oath yesterday before the Coroner's jury.
Much TO the surprise of many he answered
every question that was put to him. In
only two instances did he show any hesi-
tation or reluctance. and in these cases it
was concern for others, he explained, that
induced him to attempt to withhold what
information be possessed.
His first declination to answer a ques-
ton had considerable of the meIodl amatic
about it, and his ultimate reply to the OBJ
jectionable interrogatory produced the
irst real sensation of the investigation.
did you ever have any conversation
with Mr.. Hoffman regarding the firm of
Hoffman, Alexander & Cop asked Coro-
ner Hawkins.
"Thst is question that 1 don't care to
answer. Mr.. Hoffman was a friend of
mine. He is dead, and 1 don't care 10
throw any mud on a dead man"
Before Figers examination began he
was informed by the Coroner that as he
stood somewhat in the position of an &C
cused man. he would not need to answer
questions that he thought might have a
tendency to criminate him
DO you refuse to answer this question
on the ground that you would criminate
yourseI1?' remarked the Coroner.
mo, SIR"
"Then ] must insist on an answer
After becoming absorbed in deep
thought for moment or two the witness
answered: about week or ten days be-
lore the fire he was looking over the bal
ance sheet and said what he needed was a
good fire, and that if he could get any
body to do it he could make a few thou
sand dollars. After The fire he said he
had got some one to do it, and said that
he did not want me to mention anything
about it." In reply 10 further questions
he said that he did not know the man
who set fire to the place, and that he had
never had any other conversations with
Mr.. Hoffman on the subject. He added
that he had told chum of his, Edgar L.
Atkinson, about the matter.
The only other time that he did not re-
spond promptly was when ne was asked
the name of the friend for whom he said
he had made bet on the races. He ex-
plained that he did not know whether his
friend would like to have his name mem
toned in this connection. On the Coro-
ner insisting on an answer. he said that
he had made the bet for E. L. Atkinson,
he gave little external evidence OF be-
ing under any great mental strain, and
throughout the examination gave appar-
emily free and full replies to every ques-
by Attorney Ach. Lloyd suggested only
few toward the c.ose of the witness ex-
animation. When Figel took his seat in
the witness-chair, he smiled and nodded
pleasantly 10 Joseph NJ. Rothchild, who
sat facing him.
The cramped quarters of the Cor oner's
office held the largest audience of any
day since the investigation began, and
every word that Flgel utt red was listened
10 with the deepest attention. The full
array of legal talent was again present
and only once was there q clash between
them. When the expert on handwriting
was stating to the jury his conclusion
that the signature on the $4,000 receipt
was not genuine Lloyd protested against
this conclusion being given 10 the jury,
and asked that the jury be allowed 10
form It's own opinion ny making a COM
parison Of the disputed signature with
proved genuine signatures of the de-
ceas ed.
Ach angrily objected to the attorney
for FigeI making speeches to the Jury"
Lloyd denied that he was making a
speech, and then the Coroner interposed
and put an end to further disturbance.
In the course of his testimony Figel
liked the time positively as being 6:2O p
N. when he left the saloon to take the car
to go to the ferry. While he was testify
ing the Coroner toyed with the pistol with
which Hoffman mad been killed in full
view of the bookkeeper. but the latter
failed to displv any emotion at the sight
and he preserved tie same calm demeanor
when he examined the weapon TO identity
it as the one he had sold TO his emnloveT
In explaining the false entries in the
books ne stated, as he mad previously done
to reporter of THE CALL, that they had
been made under the instruction of Hoff-
man, as the latter wanted to conceal the
fact that he was drawing large sums out
of the business. He had no idea he said
hat n wi ha
After the receipt had been under ex-
animation and while Ach was in the act
of replacing it in his pocket. Figcl re-
marked to the Coroner: Don't you think
that receipt ought to be Kept here as an
exhibitY He was admonished to simply
answer questions and informed that the
Coroner would take care of the rest of the
case.
Referring to his transactions in playing
the races, he stated that his net winning
since he 18th of last Decem Der were about
$40, Geo. and that he had invested most of
that amount in racehorses and mining
stocks.
A new and significant point in his tes.
timony was the statement that a month
or two before the tragedy Hoffman had
given him strict orders not to pay any
more bills that had been incurred bv Mrs
Hoffman. He made the remark to his
fellow EN- ployes at the time that he
thought this was a mean action on the
part of Hoffman. Bills to which the
20. e" of Mrs. Hoffman was attached
came to him subsequently and he had re-
fused to pay them.
Ticket Agent johnson of San Rafael
broad-gauge line was the first witness ex-
amined. He testified that on the night OF
June he had not sold any comm utation
tickets after 6:30 p NJ.
He was followed by an employe of E. T.
Allen 81 Co., who wished to correct his
>revious testimony. His revised state
ment showed that FigeI probably
bought the pistol that killed Hoffman