The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-04-26
HOPP ACCUSES PICKFORD
Tells Justice Bundy he Uifiie.-esa to
Bny Out a Witness.
Hearing of n Civil Suit Growing Out
of the Maryland Arson Cnses-Tes-
timony Given by All of the Parties
Concerned - Argument Tomorrow.

| of the Maryland Arson Cnses-Tes-
| timony Given by All of the Parties
Concerned - Argument Tomorrow.
| Hearing in suit brought by Thomas II.
| Pickford against Ferdinand Hopp of this
/ city. to recover 500 alleged to be due on
| a promissory note was begun In Justice
| Bundy's Court yesterday morning. The
| final arguments will be presented tomor-
row morning at 10 o'clock. The suit is the
| outgrowth of the recent arrest in this
| city of Ferdinand Hopp and James Hud-
son. charged with conspiracy to black
mail Pickford The hearing yesterday at
tracted considerable interest on account
| of it's connection with these cases. Both
| Hopp and Hudson were on the stand.
Pickford states that he is indicted on
charge of arson in Montgomery County
| and that Hudson, who was an important
| witness in the case, promised to clear him
of the charge If he was paid Sl1.5Oe. Hopp
was to receive a receipt for the note for
acting as the medium between Pickford
| and Hudson When Hudson became
| bold in his demands Pickford noti-
fled the Washington police. Inspector
Boardman conferred with the District
Attorney and a scheme was formed
whereby the alleged blackmaiers were
! caught. Detectives Helan and McNamee
were assigned to the case and listened IN
an adjoining room in hotel in TINS city
while Hopp was given money with winch
to secure Hudson's silence He was given
a receipt for the promissory note also.
Pickford now holds that the receipt IS not
valid.
Arthur Peter and II. Galley were the
attorneys for the plaintiff. Hopp was de-
Tended by Judge Thomas FL. Mackay-
Andrew Lipscomb, who is Hudson's at
torney in the conspiracy case, was also
present.
Hudson was the first witness called HE
told what he knew regarding the agree
ent between Pickford and Hopp. The
witness was extremely cautious in his
| answers fearing that he might damage his
interest in the conspiracy case. Hopp
also took the stand and testified that he
was the proprietor of restaurant on
PennsyIvania Avenue, and that he had
borrowed 500 from Pickford with which
to maintain his business. He said he had
never paid the money back. but had been
given a receipt for the note for services
he had rendered Pickford. These services
consisted of his acting as the medium be-
tween Pickford and Hudson.
He said that Pickford offered Hudson
Il 800 not to testify against him in the
arson case. He also told 6f the confer
ences and arrangements made between
himself and Pickford with regard to the
payment of money which was to secure
Hudson's silence.
After Hopps testimony was concluded
Pickford took the stand. The letter which
Pickford wrote to Hopp under Inspector
Boardman's direction was exhibited 1t
requested both Hopp and Hudson to meet
Plckford and arrange the financial end
of the transaction which was to end in
Hudson's refusing to testify against Pick
ford at the arson trial. Pickford said
that he consulted Inspector Boardman
after Hudson had demanded s11, 500 as the
price of his silence. He said further that
Inspector Boardman consulted with the
District Attorney and that he wrote the
letter under their advice. The witness
said he did this in order to gain evidence
against Hopp and Hudson, and with the
understanding that no receipt or paper
he signed at that time would afterward be
valid
the police took In the case. The witness
and Detective McNam2e were stationed
where they could overnear the converse
ton between Pickfnre. and Hopp. He said
Hopp told Pickford the matter could be
settled for probably about $1,000. At this
meeting Pickford was seen to give Hopp
a paper The next day the detectives
were again stationed so that they could
overhear another conversation between
Pickford and Hopp. and this time Detec-- |
tive Helan testifies that Hopp wanted
81 500. and Hudson 81 500. Pickford gave |
Hopp $500, a note for 5000 and sent out |
to get a check for 5000 cashed Hopp |
then went to his place of business on /
Pennsylvania Avenue and met Hudson. |
The detectives followed him and arrested |
the two just after Hudson received the |
money.
At the conclusion of Helan's testimony |
the hearing was concluded, and 10 o'clock |
Saturday morning set as the time for |
final arguments.