The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-05-27
THE SENSATIONAL Sc0OfY.
Says He Tried to Shoot LAWYER Totten Be-
cause He Became Enrcged at HIS
CCWardice.

CCWdrdice.
WASHINGTON, u. c., May 26-Leoni-
das Scoofy, formerly of San Francisco,
who attempted to shoot Howe Totten, a
young Washington attorney, waived his
preliminary examination this morning,
and was held to appear before the Grand
Jury. He furnished bail in the sum Of
$4,000
The real cause of his attempt to kill
Totten is mystery. There have been a
dozen different stories circulated. All at
tempts to obtain interviews from the in.
terested parties have been Unsuccessful,
until Mr.. Scoofy was seen by CALL rep.
resentstive tonight and made the follow
ing statement:
1.-THE entire trouble was caused by Mr..
Toiten having in his possession certain
papers which he obtained in cowardly
manner. The fact that he yielded when
confronted by me seemed TO me TO be a
confirmation of what | knew of his con-
tenlptible character, and this 80 enraged
me that attempted to kill him.
Mr.. scoofy is we'll known in San Fran
cisco. His father was wealthy Greek,
one of the California pioneers and young
Seoofy is native son OF the Golden
West. l. is said that the elder Scoofy left
considerable estate. One OF his daugh-
ters married Henry Hlghton OF San
Francisco.
Leonidas Scoofy and lis sister went to
New York from San Francisco nine years
ago, when Leonidas was abouf20 years of
age.
They lived at the New York Hotel in the
winter and at Cranstown, West Point in
the summer. Later the Ccoofys, with
their mother, lived at the Hoffman House
and at the Albemare until they removed
to Washington.
1t is said that Miss Scoofy was a very
spirited young woman and once struck an
Englishman across the face with her fan
Tor making remarks derogatory to the
character of American women. and that
this created something of sensation in
society.
The Scoofys came to Washington to
live several years ago, Leonidas acting as
private secretary to Congressman Bartlett
OF New York. He is a handsome young
fellow, well educated and has travelled
extensively in Europe and South America.
favoriie in Washington society. Here he
met Miss LonsdaIe. society girl.
Last December dispatch to The CALL
announced their engagement, but 10 the
surprise of ali their friends they eloped to
Baltimore the next day and were married.
This was done because the relatives OF Mr..
Scoofy opposed the match. Mrs.
at the point of death in New York hos
pita!, suffering from an absce.s. Mr..
Scoofy says he does not expect her to live
more than few days. She is said to be
unaware of the attempted shooting.
There are several different versions Of
this difficulty, but it appears that Scoofv,
accomI anlen by Miss Willie Lonsdale,
visited Lawyer Totten's office here, and,
alter locking the door, demanded certain
papers which the lawyer had IN his pos.
session.
He consented to give them up. but not
withstanding this Mr.. Scooty became en-
ragged and attempted TO shoot Totten with
pistol. Scoofy's finger was caught in
the hammer of the gun, which prevented
its discharge. They chnched and Totten
managed TO hold Scoofy until the door
was broken open by friends, who came to
the lawyers assistance.
Lawyer Totten is said to have been en-
gagged TO Miss Lonsdale before Scoofy
married her.
Mr.. Scoofy Justly and Indignantly re.
sents the insinuation that his wife is in
delicate condition. The New York papers
have published cruel statements to the
effect that The quarrel Mr.. Scoofy had with
the lawyer was on account OF indiscreet
conduct on the part Of Mrs. Scoofy before
she was married.
Mr.. ocoofy says he does rot believe
that Totten will continue his prosecution,
but that the case will be dismissed He
will insist, however, that Lawyer Totten
give up the papers in his possession.
If be does SO Mr.. Scooiy will
insist upon the case coming to trial. for
the young man ieels confident that any
jury, after hearing the evidence against
Totten. would acquit him OF the intent to
Kill the lawyer.
Mr.. Scoofy's lawyers declare that If he
had killed his man any jury in the world
would have acquitted him.