The times., 1901-04-26
HOPP ACCUSES PICKFORD
Tells Justice Bundy He Offered to
Bny Out a Witness.

Hearing of n Civil Suit Growing Out
of the Maryland Arson Cases-Tes-
timony Given by All of the Parties
| Concerned - Argument Tomorrow.
| Hearing in a suit brought by Thomas H
| 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 toTnor-
row morning al 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 its 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 MN
of the charge If he was paid $li,5B 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 blackmailers were
caught Detectives Helan and McNamee
were assigned to the case and listened IN
an adjoining room in hotel in this city
while Hopp was given money with which
to secure IIudson'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 II. Mackay
Andrew Lipscomb, who is Hudsons 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 ne
was the proprietor of a restaurant on
Pennsylvania Avenue, and that ne 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 MS acting as the iituiuAAi "
tween Pickford and Hudson.
He said that Pickford offered Hudson
81 500 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 Hopp's testimony was concluded
Piclford took the stand. The letter which
Pickford wrote to Hopp under Inspector
Boardman's direction was exhibited. 1t
requested both Hopp and Hudson 10 meet
Pickford and arrange the financial end
of the transa ction 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 S11,50O 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 afterWafd De
Detective T. NJ Helan told of the part
the police took in the case. The witness
and Detective MCNamee were stationed
where thev could overhear the cOnversa-
tion between Pickford and Hopp. He said
HOpp told Pickford the matter could be
settled for probably about S1.200 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 testifes that Hopp wanted
81 500, and Hudson $11.500. Pickford gave
Hopp $500. a note for $1,000 and sent out
to get a check for $1,000 cashed. Hopp
then went to his place of business on
PENNSYLVANIA Avenue and met Hudson.
The detectives followed him and arrested
the two lust after Hudson received the
money.
At the conclusion of Helans testimony
the hearing was concluded, and 10 o'clock
Saturday morning set as the time for
final arguments.