The San Francisco call., 1898-08-09
TRIES TO WRECK A DEBTORS HOME San Jose Official in Dis-
 grace.
LOST TO SENSE OF SHAME
SCHOOL TRUSTEE PURINTON'S
 DEFENSE.
Takes Advantage of His Position as a Money-Lender to Insult the Wife of a Man in His
 Debt.
Special Dispatch to The Call.

SAN JOSE, Aug. Smother of Rea's
 school trustees has disgraced himself
 and dishonored the voters who were hoodwinked into supporting him on the plea that he was a good fellow" This time it is Byron Purinton. trustee of Gardner School District, adjoining the city. His offense is a serious one against the morals of the community, and he is said to be making prepara- tions to leave the county.
 This matter, coming so close upon the expose of Trustee Graham's connection with the Cottage Grove Kindergarten, and other irregularities of the City School Board, is likely to have an ill effect upon the city. Such doings as these will keep away many people who otherwise would bring their children to San Jose to be educated in the local schools.
 The story of Purinton's trouble Is an old one-that of a harsh and grabbed old money lender making love to his mortgagor's wife, who refuses his at tentions and is then threatened with eviction. This is the substance of the tale, the opening chapter of which be- gan about year ago, when John San ders and his wife borrowed $500 from Purinton. This was to enable Sanders to go into the hay and wood business on the corner of the Alameda and Will son avenue. Sanders gave mortgage to secure this sum on his little home near the Gardner School. He lived next door to the money lender and had the most implicit faith in him.
 A couple of weeks ago Purtnton proved himself a scoundrel, and now the little district of Gardner is up in arms over his actions The sentiment is so strong again Purinton that should he fail to leave the neighborhood he may be driven from it.
 Early last month Sanders mortgage fell due. He went to Purinton and asked him if he wanted the money, and the latter replied in the negative, say ing that it could run so long as San ders wanted 1t to, as all he wanted was the interest.
 A week later Purinton invited Mrs. Sanders and her baby to take ride to Los Gatos with him. The woman consented, thinking Purinton was an honorable man. On the trip he made improper advances to her. finally to ruin her home. Purin- ton told her he was man Of great in huence with Boss Req and if she told her husband he would ruin him would make 1t so hot for the Sanders that they would be compelled to leave town.
 Mrs. Sanders, in order to stop his in- sulting remarks, consented to meet him the following day. She said nothing to her husband, as she thought the mat ter would end with her not keeping the appointment.
 Not so with Purinton. When he saw the woman had deceived him he went to Sanders and demanded immediate 1 satisfaction of his mortgage. Sanders told his wife that evening of Pur1n- tons action, and then the woman re- lated her experiences with the money lender Sanders at once started out to | look for Purinton. He called at the | latter's home, and when Purinton saw him he hid. Sanders sent word to him l to come out into the street and settle 1 things like a man, but Purinton re- fused.
 For several days Sanders repeated his l calls at the Purinton home, with threats Of vengeance. This frightened | the trustee to such an extent that he sought safety in San Francisco. Sev- eral days ago he returned to his home, 1 but has remained in hiding since his arrival.
 Now the neighbors have taken the matter up and are determined to rid of the man. Purinton was in a mortgage sale on Sat urday, but he was so frightened he failed to appear at the place. This has not satisfied Sanders and when the two men meet there bids fair to be trou- ble.
 Mrs. Sanders is a pretty and petite woman of about 28 years, while Purin- ton is 60.
 Purinton served several terms as school trustee in Gardner District some years ago. In 1896 he was reelected as a Req candidate, and he has openly | boasted that he was close enough to the "boss" to run things to suit him self in the district. At the last elec- ton he succeeded in making his daugh- ter, Beulah Purinton, burden on the Gardner taxpayers by creating for her a position in the school.
 A few days ago Purinton rendered his as trustee. He did this to save himself the humiliation of being busted, and from preparations he is making it is presumed he is going to leave the city to save the people of Gardner the trouble of running him