The herald., 1898-11-17
NfvILLS ON the STAND
TO TELL THE STORY OF HIS
TROUBLES
GREW TIRED OF PAYING MONEY
And Would Now Like Trio OF Al
p legged Blackmailers Sent to San
Quentin
Associated Press Special Wire,

| Associated Press Special Wirei
SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. l6.-The trial
of Elsie Williams, Grace Loose and Myron
II. Azhderian was resumed today before
Judge Carroll Cook and jury. Fresh evil
dence was taken regarding the alleged con-
spiracy by which the accused are said to
have extorted money from Captain William
A. Nevills.
DIR. Winslow Anderson testified that he
professionally attended Captain Nevills in
this city at the beginning of the present
year. On one occasion he saw Captain
Nevils draw a check in favor of Mrs. Elsie
Williams.
Charles A. X. Smith, proprietor of the
Jimtown store, said he talked to Myron
Azhderian at Jimtown. Azhderian was tell
ing of abuse he had received at the hands of
Captain Nevlls. He said
"Well, l can stand it, for I'll make old
Nevills pay for it."
George w. Taft, a resident of Fresno, said
he had talked with Elsie Williams and Grace
Loose concerning Nevills. Both complained
of Nevills having abused them, and said they
would make him pay for it.
Mrs Taft, wife of the last witness, corro-
borated his testimony.
The first exciting testimony came from
Thomas Dolan. who was formerly in Ne
Wills employ as teamster at Fresno. Dolan
declared that Azhdercdian, one of the de-
PENDANTS, offered him $500 to kill Nevills.
He refused to undertake the task and then
fled from Fresno for fear that Azhdererian
would attempt his life.
The star witness of the day was Nevills,
who related the circumstances under which
he paid the Williams woman $1,000. He was
induced, he said, through blackmal, to
which all three Of the defendants were party.
He very clearly disliked his position, but for
all that was frank in the story of his disas-
trous relations with Elsie Williams. 1t was
some five years ago that he formed her ac-
Quaintance. She was then employed as q
typewriter in the Palace hotel and he at
times called upon her to assist him in his
correspondence.
Captain Nevills told further how acquaint-
ance ripened into intimacy. At the time he
first met the young woman she lived on Col
den Gate avenue. She shortly afterward re-
moved to other rooms. He called upon her
there. The jury was also told of the relations
of the couple at Fresno, to which Nevills
took the fair Elsie as bookkeeper. She fell
in with Grace Loose and Azhdereran and his
troubles commenced. They threatened him
with exposure, damage suits and the like,
and, fearful of notoriety, he parted with the
$1,000 check which forms the basis of the
present prosecution. Demands were made
for more money, accompanied by additional
threats. Then it was that he called halt
and caused the arrest of the trio of alleged
schemers he now desires to have sent to San
| Quentin.
| Attorney G. W. Baker made a mere start
with the cross-eyamination of Nevills. Point
ed questions called forth objections. Baker
at once offered to prove that Nevills had
parted with the $4,000 willingly in settlement
of threatened suit for betrayal. He also
agreed to prove promise by Nevills to di-
vorce his wife and marry Mrs. Williams, ac-
companied by a declaration from the wit
ness that if he failed to secure divorce he
would right in another way any wrong he
might have done the young woman. At this
junc{ure the cross-examination was inter-
rupted by an adjournment. 1t will be re.
sumed tomorrow and promises lively devel-
onmenfs