The San Francisco call., 1898-08-01

The indictment, the Judgment roll and. fhe other papers in the Becker-Creegan forgery case that. myster1ously olsap- peared from the office of the County Clerk, just as mysteriouslyi reappeare9 Ill the custody of the city. official yesterday
 The papers were found to be missing on Saturday morning and all that day nearly the entire force of the County. Clerk was engaged in the search for them. The ut most efforts were made to keep the tact that the papers had gone. from becoming public but The Gail yesterday announced the fact that they had disappeared. Chief Lees was worried over the failure to lind the papers in the custody of the county Clerk He believed he had been outwltted by the gang of forgers and that there was a clear way for the men he is holding in custody to regain their liberty: ...
 It was the plan of Dean, one or the forgers who Is being held as a witness against Becker and Creegan, to apply for a writ of habeas corpus to-day, hoping to secure his release. Now that the papers are found 1t. Is not known whether that plan will be changed or not. With the documents missing it would be an easy matter for him to secure his freedom. With Dean out of the way there would be nothing in the road of securing a dismiss sal of Becker and Creegan, the two prin- cipals in the forgery case ;.;s -' -. -..
 About two years ago 8 raised draft on the Nevada Bank was cashed. by the Crocker- w oolworth National Bank and the forgers cleared -$22, 900 by the deal. They immediately went East, but they were apprehended and brought back. Becker and Creegan were the principals in the crime and two others named Dean and McClusky were used by them as stool pigeons to assist in working the forged paper through the banks. The forgers were exceedingly clever in their work, ana when caught the police could find. but lit tie evidence against theIn,s and certainty not enough to convict all four. Chief Lees promised McClusky and Dean. their Hb- . ertv if they would testify against their comrades, Becker and Creegan. The offer was accepted and at the trial the two principals were convicted. McClusky had little to offer in the way of evidence, and as he played only a, small part in the forg- cry he was allowed to go after the trial. The convicted men gave notice of appeal and Dean who was an important witness and who was closely identified with the principals in the case, was held as a wit ness in case his testimony should sagaIn De needed at the same time ConSenting to re- main in confinement providing no charge should be preferred against him after the final disposal of the caSeS aSdlnst Becker A few days ago the Supreme Court granted the two convicted men a new trial on the ground that the lower court had erred in admitting the evidence or McClusKy and Dean for the prosecution. the court holding that the two witnesses . were accomplices in the crime. Accord ing to the decision of the higher court 1t looked like smooth sailing for the two convicted men regainfng their. liberty: The evidence of Dean was all that could convict them and there remained some chance of a legal technicalityi being found by which it could be admitted. .lIo make liberty sure Dean must be. got beyond the reach of the court. It was planned that, to-day his attorney would ask the ( cp hsaF Fanl 0n TD release from custody on the ground that there was no reason for. holding him in prison. With the disappearance of the papers in the forgery case nothing could be brought before the court to show why he was kept in custody. His release from Chief Lees grasp :WouId. naturally 1olI3~ and at the coming new trial of the prin- cipals in the forgery they would secure their :acquittal for the want of evidence. :s
 Becker, the alleged leader Of the gang of forgers, had at the time of his arrest a good bank account and he boaSted that If money could secure his. release and that of his comrades they would never serve a
 How the papers disappeared from their proper place in the County Clerks office known. Deputy Mulcahy, who has charge of the papers of the criminal cases, has in the many years he has been in the service of the city in clerical positions. at the city hall proven. himself trust worthy man, but there. are many who have access. to the documents filed with him through the non-obserYance; or the '; rules and code of discipline of the office where he is employed. The records show that the papers were properly filed with him and that they were: put. in thelI proper place according to the system o1 the office. When they were taken from that place, perhaps only one or two car tell. They were missed on Saturday when it was hinted that the attorneys fol Dean would on Monday: apply for a writ of habeas corpus on behalf of their client with hope. of securing his release: Ther 1t was found that they were gone. A year and a half had elapsed since they were first put with the records of tht County Clerk s office. Then a search be
 gan in which nearly all the clerks of th' office were engaged, but up to midnight
 on Saturday, no trace of the. missing. pa