The San Francisco call., 1897-06-08

state that every bit of evidence discovered
by myself, my partner or associate coun-
sci has been Immediately placed in the
hands of Chief of Police Lees. All the
evening papers of this date assert that
quarrel took place between Chief Lees
and myself during the visit of
the Coronor's jury to the store, where
the tragedy took place, to-day. l enter
tain only the friendliest of feeling toward
Chief Lees. Nevertheless, it is true that l
objected to his statements to the Jury, be-
cause be was not sworn. because Coroner
hawkins was not present and because !
did not believe he had a greater right to
make statements to the jury at that time
than to myself or associate counsel.
I'VE are not in the case to make a MUIR
der or to charge any individual with hav-
ing committed 1t If a homicide has been
committed. But we are here TO investi-
gate fully into the cause of Hoffman's
death, and if it was murder 10 ascertain
the motive ahd bring the guilty parties to
justice. We would like TO know how it
was that at the place where the wounded
man struggled to regain his feet
and besmeared the telephone-room with
gore was found partially opened and COW
cred with bloed an evening paper of June
1. For several days | have noticed in the
newspapers statements by Firel and state
ments by Lees as TO the significance of the
evidence found did not show murder or
|
a statement Is made by Lees that Figel
had satisfactorily explained to him the
circumstance of the $1,000 receipt. That
receipt is dated May is, 1897.
'Mr. Figel admitted TO J. NJ. Rothchild
and myself on several occasions that the
words Hoffman and Rothchild' were writ
| ten by him subsequent TO the filling up of
! the body OF the receipt and subsequent to
its having been signed by Hoffman. 1t is
| apparent that in the original receipt in
our possession parts of the receipt were
! written at different times and with differ
ent ink than other portions.
"Figel was examined by Chief of Police
Lees prior 10 his knowledge of this re-
ceipt and did nos disclose anything con-
cerning it. On the morning of the Sd inst.
Mr.. Figel called at my Office and delivered
the receipt to my partner, Mr.. Rothchild,
| stating that ii was the one matter con-
cerning which he had said nothing to
Lees and he wished 10 inform Rothchild
regarding it."
Here Mr.. Rothchild INTERVIEWED and said:
"Mr. Fige1 entered my office and stated
that Isaac Hoffman had obtained from
him at various times sums which
| amounted to $9500; that when he obtained
the sums he had directed him TO charge
the sum drawn and give him (Hoffman)
Hoffman & Rothchild checks payable
either TO Isaac Hoffman, bearer or cash,
and that the total amount of the checks
advanced by Figel to his deceased en-
| ployer was $500.
"Mr. Hoffman, according to Figel, told
him that he did not desire his partners to
know that he had drawn these amounts
| from the firms bank account and
when the amount became so large
Mr.. Flgel became alarmed and
told his assistant bookkeeper about
bookkseper asked Figel if he had re-
ceipt and was answered in the negative.
Figel assured him that he would procure
one lmmed lately, and on May IS, the day
the firms books were closed, he claims he
received the receipt now the subject of
comment from Hoffman.
Il asked tigel, continued Mr.. Roth
child, if he made an entry OF the amount
advanced on his books, and he answered
me in the affirmative, saying that he had
credited bills payable and charged Hoff-
man, with Hoftman's knowledge; the
checks, according to Figel's statement,
being destroyed when they were returned
from the bank.
Subsequent to my partners interview
with F.gel,' continued Mr.. Ach, 81 tele-
phoned to Chief Lees to come to nv
office and l would furnish him with
the motive either for murder or suicide
l made an appointment on he third
inst. at o'clock with Chief L es, and
prior to that time with hand writing ex-
pert, examined the recent with exem plars
OF Hotman's handwriting, and deter
mined that the receipt was a fors-
cry. l met the Chief and several
OF his corps and advised them that be-
lleVed tlgel had an account at the First
National Bank, and / thought it would
be advisable TO investigate the firms ac-
count at the London, Paris and American
BANK, the clearing house mum Der of
which institution is II.
ION Friday. the Attn inst, in investigat-
ing the matter l ascertalned that Figel
had run an account at the First National
Bank. l telephoned TO the Chief and ad-
Vlsed him that Mr.. Figel had ordered his
accounts written up and vouchers affirmed
and insisted that the Chief demand of
the bank president that those vouchers be
held END not delivered 10 Figel, and the
Chief ac.ed accordingly. In the meantime
examined Figel at my office and he told
me he had obtained the receipt on
May Is. L investigated the petty cash
BOOK prior TO that time and discovered
that ali the cash entries were in the hand
wrltlng OF Mr. Gellert except the last one,
which was written by FigeI, credit to
6Ilis payable and charged TO c. and l.
Holman, the amount of the recent.
1880. The business year closed May Is
and this was the last cash item of the
year.
The cash item posted from the petty
TO the firm cash book also closes the ac-
!
IN Gellerts handwriting. 1t was ind S.
putao bly, an aided item as all the accounts
hau been added up and footed, but the
footing had been erased in order to make
the entry.
Il communicated with Lees and in the
presence of Bohen Figel stated that the
items which comprised the $4,000 were not
more than five or SIX. And he
had kept them on pencil mem
orandum which ley on his desk
for three months, the Ieriod covering the
history OF these transactions, and tnat on
May Is Figel requested a receipt of Mr..
Holm n and as he alleges the merchant
smlllngly said that the account could not
De so large. Nevertheless he gave him
the receipt.
"Mr. Figel, in the presence of Mr..
Hohen and myself, Ia1 back over the
checkbook and finally pointed out two
stuos numbered 2490 and 249l, dated re-
spectlvaly March 10 and IL, the foi-
mer for $l5C0 and The latter for
$2OOO, which he stated he believed to be