The San Francisco call., 1897-07-29
BLACKMAIL HIS
ONLY DEFENSE
The Case Against Thomas
Stanton Was Dis
missed.
He Was Charged With Selling
an Obscene Book on
May 29.
The Defendant Flatly OOntradicts
the Evidence of Lucas Pri-
vate Detectives.

The trial OF Thomas stanton, clerk in
Warren E. Prices bookstore, 1908 Market
street, charged with selling obscene books,
was concluded before Judge Low yester-
dav resulting in the case being dis
missed.
The case for the prosecution was closed
Tuesday, and yesterday afternoon Attor-
new Eugene Deuprey put witnesses on the
stand 10 back up his assertion that the
whole thing was a piece OF black mail on
the part OF Private Detective A. E. Lucas.
The first witness called was Miss Char
lotte Cross, stenographer for Lucas, but
her evidence was unimportant. Then iol-
lowed W. G. Taffindec, who testified that
he called upon Mrs. Thomas, Prices
mother, at the bookstore, and in friendly
way suggested that she should settle with
Lucas and put an end to the trouble be-
tween them. He was not influenced by
any one TO make the suggestion.
Mrs. Blakiston testified that she heard
q con versation between her husband and
Mrs. Thomas in which her husband told
Mrs. Thomas that Lucas was willing TO
settle with her on payment OF $-4 90, the
amount due Lucas lady friend from the
purchasing club, and $63 for attorney 5
tees.
Mrs. Thomas testified that on two occa-
sions demands had been made upon her
TO go to Lucas Office. She went once but
did not see tim. Miss Cross, Lucas type
writer. called upon her at the bookstore
and told her it would be to her interest to
be at Lucas office at IL o'clock that day,
but she did not go. Then she received a
letter from Lucas IN which the demand
was made for $S7 80 and this was followed
by a visit from BIakiston, who MADE a
similar demand.
She was shown the book alleged to nave
been purchased from Stanton on May 30
by Bostian, one of Lucas detectives, and
declared that such book was never in her
premises. Taffinder came to her and ad-
vised her TO pay the money TO Lucas,
something less than $780, but she declined
TO do so. She saw Bosnian in the store on
June II, and he told her Lucas had sent
him 10 see her. Lucas wanted his money,
but she told Bostlan she did not owe
Lucas a cent. Bostian then said that
Lucas would take the matter before the
Council of the American Protective Asso-
citation, to which ne and her son be-
Ionged, and also give it to the newspapers.
AT the time her son got into trouble wit
ness had penny-purchaslng club, but
she transferred it 10 another party last
March. Lucas had particular lady
friend who was a member of the club,
anu II was Hel iuOheT tAa1 AS "ahleu'
The party to whom The club was trans
ferred absconded, but witness did not con-
slider herself responsible for that.
In cross examination witness said that
the first demand for the $24 80 was made
prior 10 MAY %. The first time she heard
of the book was when Blakiston called
upcr her and the demand was made for
$S7 so.
The defendant Stanton was called. He
said his true name was Thomas Stanton
McGovern. He was shown the book and
denied ever having it in his possession.
He did not sell it to Bostian on May 90 or
to any body else. The statements OF Bos-
tian and the other two witnesses for the
prosecution were entirely false.
In cross-eXamination he said he bad
been sentenced for burglary, but was par
doned by the Governor.
Robert Johnston testified that he knew
Lucas and was a member OF the same
council of the American Protective Asso-
citation. He had a conversation with Lu-
cas- as TO Mrs. Thomas and after hearin z
what he had TO say he went to Mrs.
Thomas and told her that in his opinion
it was a case of blackmail.
Secretary Kane OF the Pacific Coast So
Ciety for the Suppression OF Vice testined
that about June IA he received word from
Lucas that obscene books we're being sold
in Prices store and that be could get men
to buy the books if the society would
prosecute. He saw Lucas, and agreed tc
prosecute. Then, on June 81, he went tc
Lucas and got the book.
The Judge said that, looking at all the
circumstances and the peculiar conduct
OF Lucas, he would dismiss the case
There was applause in court, which was
instantly suppressed.