The San Francisco call., 1897-05-18
John H. Fidler, a Former
Companion, Turns States
Evidence.
Testimony That the Prisoner at
the Bar Directed the Bogus
Deed Conspiracy.
Attorney Campbell Introduces the
Witness Former Confession Which
Excupated Won tt. deman'.

John II. Fdler yesterday supplied the
sensation that for some time has been ex-
pected in the trial OF Carl w. Won Tiede-
man, who is on trial in Judge Wsllace's
court on charge of perjury.
Hitherto Fidler, who is a convict in the
Folsom Stale prison, has been held up by
Attorney Alexander Campbell as friend
of Won Tiedemann, and at former trial
an effort was made to secure the introduc-
tion of an affidavit made by Fidler that
would prove favorable to Won Tiedemann.
Judge Wallace ruled out the affidavit, and
it was apparent that this action by the
court had an effect on the jurors, as they
failed to agree, and new trial was or
dered.
When Fidler appeared on the witness
stand yesterday, being brought from Fol-
som prison in rerpopse to summons
issued on behalf of the prosecution, there
was eonsidera BILE excitement among the
ad herents of Won Tiedemann, for they
were curious to hear what the witness
would say to the detriment OF the &C.
cused.
Fidler was formerly one of Won Tiede-
mann associates, and while thus acting
got into difficulty. He and Won Tiede-
mann were charged with felony, and to
the surprise OF everyone Fidler pleaded
guilty. He afterward explained to his
friends that he took this course because
Won Tiedemann said that was the only
way to extricate all of them and that he
would get Fidler out of jail in few
months. Fidler was sentenced TO term
of years in the State Prison at Folsom,
after which Won Tiedemann seemed to
forget about him, but Fidler did not lose
hope and consistently refused to testify
against Won Tiedemann, though called on
by the District Attorney 10 do So. In re-
sponse to all questions touching his rela-
tions with Won Tiedemann he replied that
he would decline to answer on the ground
tina. his reply might tend TO convict him
of felony
At the opening of yesterdays proceed
ings it was quickly made apparent that
change had come over Fidier's feelings,
for he at once confessed that be was
confederate with Won Tiedeinann in the
forgery of the deed that caused the origi-
nal complaint 10 be filed against them
In that transaction 1t was pretended that
Mrs. Harriet Chrisiy sold some real estate
for several thousand dollars, and man
appeared who said that he Yves Horace q.
Pratt, and Signed two notes for $16CO each.
As matter of fact Mrs. Chrlsty had no
intention of selling her property. and the
notes pretended 10 be given for the prop
the purpose of helping along scheme to
dispose of bogus title of the property to
other parties.
When Mrs Christy complained to the
police that her signature had been forged
to a pretended deed Won Tiedemann was
arrested. On his trial he told the jury
that he had been i'm posed on; that GER
tain woman appeared in his office and
falls ly personated Mrs. Christy. He said
he would know the woman II he saw her
again. A photograph of Mrs. Sarah Owen
Spencer was shown to him and he swore
that it was picture OF the woman who
personated Mrs. Christy.
1t so happened that Mrs. Spencer had
been charged with implication in some
questionable transactions, but had cleared
herself, and it was suspected that this
former alleged blemish on the woman's
record had caused her to be selected as a
likely victim for Won Tiedemann's de-
livery. The jury believed him and ac-
Quilted him OF all blame in connection
with the bogus deed.
Information of Won Tiedemann's g alle-
CATION was sent to Mrs. Spencer. who was
in Chicago, and she responded by declar-
ing that she was not in the State OF Cali
fornia at the time of the Christy transac-
ton and therefore said that Won Tiede-
mann committed perjury when he swore
that she was the woman who personated
Mrs. Christy.
Mrs. Spencer at once returned to San
Francisco and presented proofs to the
Grand Jury that she was telling he truth,
whereupon Won Tiedemann was arrested
on charge OF perjury.
Mr.. Campbell Yesterday informed the
court that this is the fifth time his client
has been on trial before jury for felony
charged to have grown out of this iran sac
tion and that he had not get been con-
victed. Ii the jury places any reliance
on Fidler's testimony in the present trial
swore that from beginning TO end Won
Tiedemann led the conspiracy and d.
rected the proceedings, even going so far
as to suggest that Fidler should sign the
name Horace G. Pratt to the notes and
mortgage on transfer OF the property.
On cross-examinaton by counsel Tor the
defense Fidler admitted he had refused to
testify against Won Tiedemann hitherto
He explained that he had declined to
appear against Won Tiedemann because he
had hoped TO secure help from him In
getting out of the State prison. He was
finally convinced that Won Tiedemann was
not going to assist him and lie therefore
resolved to tell the truth.
The somewhat noted affidavit of Fidler.
in which he recited a state of affairs that
would completely exonerate Won Tiede-
mann, was read. Fidler confessed that he
signed the statement and said he did SO
because Won Tiedemann promised to get
lin out of Jail in two hours If be signed it.
He would have signed anything under the
circumstances, and did not read the docu-
ment and did not dictate word Of it, as
it was taken TO him in the jail where he
was incarcerated. That was July 3, 1894
It was plain that Fidlers testimony
caused great uneasiness on the part of
Won Tiedemann, who has lost much OF
the iaunty air that characterized his man.
ner during the previous trials. He seems
to nave lost confidence in his lucky star,
hrt he still mains tho best dressed m n