The San Francisco call., 1898-04-20
CONSPIRED TO
 KILL NEVILLS Sensational Story Told in @ Court at Fresno
 City. Thomas Nolan Claims He Was Offered a Fortune to
 Take Life. Swesrs That Foreman Azhderian Tried to Have Him Murder
 His Employer.
Special Dispatch to The Call.


 FRESNO, April 19-The trial of the battery case brought by M. H. Azh- derian against Thomas Dolan came up before Recorder Clark to-day and the alleged conspiracy to kill Captain New ills, the wealthy vineyardist, was brought out. At the session held to- night Dolan disclosed the whole plot.
 On the Sth of the present month Thomas Dolan, who was employed on Captain Nevills' La Favorita vineyard when M. |. Azhderian was foreman there, met Azhderian at the Grand Central Hotel and they had a collision and exchanged warm words. It appears that there was considerable bitterness between the two, growing out of an all legged effort to assassinate Captain Nev- ills. It is claimed by Dolan and his friends that Azhderian and Mrs. Elsie Williams had entered into a conspiracy to have Captain Nevills assassinated while his wife was away in China Azhderian was foreman for Nevills and Mrs. Williams was his housekeeper. It is claimed that they wanted Dolan to do the killing by arousing Nevills' all ways too-high temper and killing him 1T ne made for DOlan.
 w. D. Grady appeared for Azhderian and Judge Stanton Carter for Dolan He is also Captain Nevills attorney Frank H. Short and Judge Church, at tOrneyS in the Azhderian- NeVills cases, were on hand to help Grady, and, prob ably, to keep startling story from coming out.
 Charles C. Young was called and sworn. He lives at the Grand Central Hotel, where he is night clerk. NJ. H. Azhderian and Thomas Dolan were at the hotel on the Sth instant. Azh- derian, he said, came in ahead and went into the office, closing the door Dolan came up to guard the entrance and called Azhderian vile names. Azh- derian went to telephone and called an officer. Dolan dared Azhderian to come outside. Dolan said:
 You coward. You have been threat ening to kill me; now come out here and do it."
 The witness heard Dolan say: You wanted to kill me, Nevills, and be- cause I didn't do it you wanted to kill me; now come and do 1t. you ID
 R. P. Russell was the next witness. He said that when Dolan was arrested Dolan said, speaking to Azhderian: 'Ill get even with you yet"
 Henry Russell, policeman, was sworn, and said that DClan had talked to him previous to the occurrence De- Ian wanted to know if Russell had seen Azhderian. He said he was going to have trouble that night; that he would meet Azhderian at 11:30 o'clock at the Grand Central, and he would strike him. Thought he would be arrested; ; said maybe I'd better
 MT. Carter asked the witness if Dolan had not told him that Azhderian had offered him $10,000 to kill Captain Ne wills. Russell said he did not remember any such statement. He could not def initely remember that Dolan had told him that Azhderian had sent for him and wanted to kill him because he re- fused to kill Captain Nevills. There was some such conversation, but it was vague.
 The most sensational testimony was brought out at the evening session. NJ H. Azhderian, the first witnesses, was asked if he had not sent word to DOlan that he wanted him. He an swered that he had not.
 ls 1t not a fact that Dolan accused you of attempting to kill Captain New ills?"
 The witness did not remember. He was asked If he had not proposed to Dolan that DOlan go into court and deny that there was any attempt to kill Nevills. An objection to this question was sustained.
 Did you have quarrel with Dolan accusing him of going to San Francisco to tell Captain Nevills of the attempt to kill him?" was asked.
 No" was the reply.
 Did you follow him to San Francisco
 No" '
 Did you ever tell Dolan you would have killed him if he told Nevills?''
 This was objected to.
 Did you ever make the statement that you would blackmail Captain Nev- ills out of $50,OO0 or get into the pen within year?"
 No"
 Dolan took the stand and testified in substance as follows:
 T quit work for Captain Nevills on July g, because my life was in danger Azhderian made me an offer to kilI Captain Nevills, offering me S15. 900 for the Job; AZhderian said: Miss Loose, Miss Williams and 1 will be there and the assassination will take place he hind the house. I will tell the cantafn that you are not doing your work and are stealing tools He will then come back of the house and jump on you and then you can kill him
 He said l would be arrested but that they would clear me. Miss Williams was to run up stairs and get the cap tafn's pistol and place 1t at his side after he had been killed Azhderian promised to pay me from the crop in the vineyard, which was worth s25 GOO He said he d the papers already Azhderian said the money would en- able me to go away or go into busi ness.'
 The witness said he came to town and told the story to Coon Crutcher, depuIy constable. Afterward he went out to the vineyard and heard Mrs. Williams ask whether Azhderian thought he (the witness) had nerve enough to kill the captain. Azhderian said If Dolan would not do it they would.
 An adjournment was then taken until tomorrow.