The times., 1901-04-06

of Statements by MIR. PiclSford.
After hearing testimony in the case and
prolonged argument by counsel on both
sides Judge Scott in the Police Court
yesterday held Ferdinand Hopp and
James Hudson for the action Of the
grand jury on a charge of conspiring to
defraud Thomas II. Pickdord. The de-
PENDANTS were unable to furnish bond in
the sum of S2,oJ0 each and were commit
ted TO Jail.
The crowded court room indicated the
unusual interest in the case, which Judge
Mackey openly charged was brought
about in order to more easily incarcerate
and place beyond the reach of the State
Of Maryland James Hudson, said to be a
principal witness against Mr.. Pickford,
who is under indictment in that State
on charge Of arson.
States Attorney II. NJ Talbot was
present in the interest of his State and at
the request of Prosecuting Attorney Null
lowny took the stand and testified as to
the Indictment against Mr.. Pickford and
others.
In opening the case yesterday Mr. Null
lowny stated that the attorneys for
the defence had indicated their purpose
to attack the warrant upon which Hopp
and Hudson were arrested he had ar
idAStu ~ SubSiitul6 aUblntL WdIlSiilA
which should be more specific in its decla-
rations. 1t was understood that the evil
dence which had been introduced under
the old warrant would be accepted as ap-
plying to the new one without repeat
ing it.
Fritz Trader, the bartender at the
American House, was placed on the
stand. He testified that Hopp, whom he
had known before, and Hudson came into
the saloon Wednesday afternoon and had
several drinks. While there Hopp said
10 him in German, Listen and after
wards said, Watch a while" He heard
Hudson say to Hopp: He is a great
friend of yours. You ought to get $4,000"
Later in the day, according TO Trader,
Hopp put his head in the door and re-
marked TO Hudson in English, "Remem-
ber Pickford, S11 500" This was the first
mention that had been made Of Pick
ford s name.
States Attorney Talbot was next
placed upon the stand and told of the in
dictment returned against Pickford, Wal
ter, Bradshaw, and Shaw. He said it did
not charge PickfOrd with arson, but with
being an accessory to a burning" He
said that he believed there were one or
two other witnesses in the case besides
Hudson.
MIR. Talbot acknowledged paying mon
ey to Hudson and said it was in payment
for buggy hire.
Mr. Pickford was then recalled and re-
iterated the statement he made on the
stand yesterday The substance of Mr..
Pickford's testimony was that he had
been approached last fall by Hopp with
a proposition TO prevent Hudson from tes-
tifying before the Montgomery county
grand jury as the principal witness
against Pickford and others, whom he
charged with arson in connection with the
burning of the old Bryant mansion at
Four Corners, Nd, September II, 1891.
Mr.. Pickford said Hopp agreed to ST
lence Hudson for the sum of S506, put de
clared that he paid no attention TO Hopps
proposition, further than to warn him
never to make such suggestion to him
again. Mr.. Pickford added that HopP on
Saturday expressed regrets that Pick
ford had not accepted his previous offer,
but thought it still possible to quash the
case, despite the action of the Maryland
grand jury. and detailed the succeeding
interviews between himself and Hopp,
overheard by Detectives Helan and Nc
Nance, the agreement TO pay Hudson
81 80 to leave this part of the country,
and TO pay Hopp $3.50 for his work in
bringing about the silencing Of Hudson.
The witness also identified the 500 which
had been marked and given to Hopp,
which was found in his possession when
the latter WAS arrested.
Continuing his testimony, Mr.. Pickford
stated that he had been shown by Hopp
a check drawn by Talbot * Talbot and
endorsed by Jesse Wilson, Prosecuting
Attorney Talbott's brother-in-law, and he
thought also by Hudson. He was told by
Hopp that this check was evidence that
Talbot was paying Hudson TO secure the
conviction OF Pickford and others.
When Mr Pickford left the stand Mr..
Talbot was recalled and acknowledged
having given Hudson check TO help him
pas mortgage which was about 10 be
foreclosed on his printing press. The
statement Of Mr.. Talbot that he had
given Hudson check for $75 caused a
clash between the opposing attorneys as
10 the admissiblity Of this evidence Con
unulng. Mr. Talbot stated that the mon
ey was a loan 10 Hudson. The loan was
secured by a chattel mortgage on certain
property
Mr Pickford resumed the stand and
Judge Mackey brought out the state
ment that Pickford stil holds 100
shares OF stock in a copper mine
security for Hopp's Indebtedness. Judge
Mackey questioned Mr.. Pickford at some
length regarding a written memorandum
which was 10 have been signed upon the
payment OF the money to Hudson This
writing was on the back Of a blank draft
April 3. 1901. will not appear against
T II. Pickford in the fire suit"
Mr.. Pickford said that he drew that
paper under instructions from the Dis
trict authorities and that his purpose in
doing was to secure evidence Of Hud-
sons alleged attempt to blackmail him.
After a recess Of fifty minutes Mr.. Pick
ford again took the stand and was ques-
toned by Mr. Lipscomb as 10 when he
saw the Talbot check. He replied that IL
was last November. well he could
recall. al the time Of the first suggestion
by Hopp Of the settlement Of the case
by the payment Of money
/. I. Miller, a wholesale grocery sales
man for a Baltimore house, testified TO
having seen Hudson In the Twentieth Cen
tury cafe Wednesday afternoon between
1.3J and O'Clock. He said: Hudson was
about leaving the place when Hopp came
IN and called 20 Hudson
Detective Daniel McDevitt testified 10
having "shadOwed' Hudson Sunday night,
70 having seen him enter the Twentieth
Century Cafe al SOS o. clock and that he
left there at lD . clock. During that time.
McDeritt said, Hudson and Hopp were
in close conference.
Detective Frank NJ. Helan, Of the Po-
Bcc Department testified TO being assign
Cd % the case with his partner. Detective
McNamce, by Inspector Boardman. He
jn company with Detective McNamee. who
was with him at all times during the IN
Observation-Disclosures