The San Francisco call., 1899-08-18
RLINGTON WAS
ALSO A MAN Of
MANY ALIASES
Spicy Letter Written
in His Cell.
SAYS HE WAS VITIMIZED
CHARGES HIS FAIR ACCUsER
WITH BLACKMAIL.
Officer cambridge Makes Witty
Witness, Called by the Defense
but Most Formidable for
the Prosecution.
SAYS HE WAS VITIMIZED
CHARGES HIS FAIR ACCUSER
WITH BLACKMAIL.
Oakland office San Francisco Call

9os Broadway. Aug. II.
Inc trial OF Arthur Arlington, the al
legged gay bunkoer Of unsuspecting
women, on the charge Of having robbed
Mrs. Minnie Maud Smith Of S214 last
April, which has been in progress before
jury in Judge Halls court the past two
days, grows in interest
The star witness for the prosecution to-
DAY was A. Bainbridge, a San Fran
cisco police detective and officer, who was
called by the defense. Before he was ex-
cused he proved a most formidable wit
ness for the people.
It had been expected TO prove by him
that he, representing the detective author
tiles Of San Francisco, had rot advised
the deCoy letter written, as printed in
to-day's Call, whereby II was intended to
induce Arlington TO come TO Oakland
where he might be apprehended by the To-
cal authorities.
The prosecution was sustained in objec-
tions TO cambridge testifying as to the
letter, and the officer was then made a
witness for the people. when he testified
that he had known defendant since 1882
and that he had known him by many
aliases, 10 wit: Charles Holman, LleWel-
lEn Miller, S 2. DanfOrth. J. w. Parish
Jones, Garfield, Robinson and Arlington.
Witness said that II the prisoner was a
mining man "he had certainly done his
mining solely in San Francisco
ATTORNEY Major McElrath took execution
10 the witness last remark and inquired
whether he intended thereby to assall the
defendants reputation. IF my answer
stands open to two differences" replied
witty officer Bainbridge. you can take
your choice ] did not think my answer
would injure the mans reputation or char
aCuer. | knew nothing about his being a
mining man except what ! heard through
statements of some of his victims"
This statement Judge Hall ruled to be
stricken out. Major McElrath then asked
OthCeT Bainbridge. on discrimination.
wEether he did not bear some enmity or
bitter feeling toward defendant. and
testify against Arlington.
No, there is no personal feeling in this
matter. responded witness. 4 did not
know why was subpenaed. but | thought
II was TO prove prior convictions" He
had said quite enough, and witness was
promptly excused.
An interesting feature of the trial dur
ing this mornings session was the intro
ductiOn in evidence Of a spicy letter writ
ten by Arlington 10 Mrs. Richmond Of Sar
claims Mrs. Smith spent the night Of the
gay . oI the alleged grand larceny The let;
is given for what it is worth:
OAKLAND. July 9. 1899
Dear Mrs. Richmond: This woman against
me is a blackmailer and an adventures, and her
charge against me is false. She says she was
not in the city with me Now you remember
the night we were at your house, April IA. I
on my lap. We went hackriding and came
back to your house and had
The second woman left before breakfast. quite
early VIII you come over to my trial and
help me2 You know I not who would
do she says. She thought l was man of
much means and family and she started in to
hlackmail me. She has done such things In
the East I have her record I hone Won will
stand by me Don't you remember her having
money over there in her stocking? Where is
that man who was there the barkeeper? He
is good man. I will remember you ALL and
you will always find me true. Please write
on recent Of this and let me know If you will
come over 10 my trial. Your evidence Will do
me n world of good. She is a terrible liar and
denies ever being over there with me. You
don't want to suffer and you are the only
one can prove by that she with me at
iNly VIII come out ana see you when this
IS ever So help God, the charge against
ne is lie You address your letter to me here,
No one w'H read II hut myself. 1 would have
been out 20 see you long ago had il not been for
this trouble. You know the last time l was
out there ] was pretty fun and don't remember
all l ssid and done. But you will always find
all right and you know ! had and do have
the highest regard for YOU Please stand bv
me in my trouble. Very sincerely yours.
a ARLINGTON
County Jail. Oakland California
Mrs. Richmond was put on the witness
stand TO cOrroborate the statements made
in the letter, but while she mad known
Arlington by the name Of Parish for some
time she said she was not positive as To
the Identity OF Mrs. Smith being the
woman who was with the CAV Ola To-
thario on the night referred TO-
The case went over until tomorrow
when the defense promises TO produce the
hackman who drove Arlington about San
Francisco on the night mentioned in the
letter. and by which time 1t is also ex-
pected that Mrs. Sarah Watkins an i'm
pOrtant witness for the prosecution. will
be on hand.
Every care is being exercised by The
prosecution and the court TO avoid anv
error that might prove material to the de
fense in case of an appeal should Airing
10