Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-04-04
CHARGE OF CONSPIRACY
HEARING TO-DAY BEFORE JUDGE
SCOTT OF POLICE COURT.
Defendants Accused of ExtortinG
Statements Of witnesses.

Ferdinand Hopp and James Hudson were
this afternoon arraigned in the Police Court
before Judge Scott on the charge of con-
spiracy, in that they did, amongst them
selves conspire. combine, confederate and
agree together falsely and fraudulently to
cheat and defraud Thomas H Pickford OF
divers large sums of money, and in pur-
suance of the said unlawful and malicious
conspiracy the said Ferdinand Hopp and
the said James Hudson did obtain from the
said Pickford $500 in cash. note for 5000,
payable in thirty days. and a receipt for
$3.50"
Mr.. Thomas H. Pickford, who was the
first witness to give testimony In the case,
told of visit made by Hopp to his store
last week In reference to having rendered
null and void indictment found against
him at Rockville for alleged arson. the fun
particulars of which have been already
printed in The Star.
Continuing, Mr.. Pickford said that after
could fix the case for $500. the under
standing being>that for this sum Hudson.
who was an important witness for the
state before the grand jury at Rockville,
would leave the District and fall 10 ap-
pear at the trial of Pickford and other
interested parties. Witness also stated that
last Saturday evening he went to police
with Inspector Boardman on the subject.
The Detectives Statement.
Detective Helan testified substantially
that Inspector Boardman laid the case be-
fore the district attorney, and acting on in
structions from that official he and De-
tective McNamee were put to work on the
case. 1t was understood by the detectives
that either Hopp or Hudson, or BOTH would
show up at Pickford's grocery store Mon
day morning to complete financial deal
with Mr.. Pickford.
The meeting was to have taken place in
Mr.. Pickford's Office. The detectives hid in
an adjoining room and holes were made in
partition through which they could see
and hear all that transpired in the office.
Hopp called on Monday and had chat
with Pfckford. The detectives overheard
all that was said. Tuesday evening Hopp
called again, and on that occasion Pick
ford. to whom Hopp. 1t is alleged. owed
$3.50, gave Hopp a clear receipt for the
amount. to show his gratitude for what
he was doing for him." This was accepted
tn the presence Of the detectives.
Hopp arranged to see Hudson yesterday
and close the deal. In the afternoon Hopp
called on Mr. Pickford at his Office. An
ether long talk was overheard by the de-
tectives. and about o'clock the deal was
closed by Pickford paying over to Hopp
the sum of 800 in cash and a note for
8 600. payable in thirty days from date.
handed over to Hudson, who was to leave
town. The sum Of 600 more was to be
paid subsequently through Hopp. making
total Of over 81 600 which the transac-
ton was to cost Pickford.
Two hundred dollars In cash. which Pick
ford handed to Hopp. was in notes. which
had been marked by the detectives who
had also taken the numbers. With them
was-a paper. which. it is understood Hud-
son was to sign, stating that Mr. Pickford
was in no way implicated in the burning
Of certain house at Four Corners.
Hops Version.
Mr.. Hopp gave his version of the charges
to a Star reporter as follows: II was SIM
ply acting for Mr. Pickford In this affair."
1t is untrue that saw Mr. Pickford Satur-
day. He sent a note to me Monday asking
me to come to his place and he then ex-
planned to me that he wanted me to do
MN great favor: He said he was aware
could not induce him to leave the District.
Il replied that it was a delicate matter.
nut ne appealed to me so urgently that I
promised that I would do all I could for
MIN. which 1 did. with the result that am
now locked up In order to show his pro-
fessed gratitude to me, he said: 'Hopp, to
SHOW you how I feel toward you in this
$500 note which is due soon, and we viii
consider It paid I did not want him to
DO THIS but he insisted. About three
months ago be loaned me the money. and
l gave him my note for it.
Il have been dealing with Mr.. Pfckford
for some time and considered him a good
friend. l can't see how I can be held on
this charge. 1 was acting for him in the
matter.
LAS I understand it from Hudson. he
was working at the Bryant mansion as q
decorator at the time it was destroyed by
hre- He claims to know all about how il
was destroyed. and recently testified to
the facts in the case before the grand tury
, at Rockville"
Hudson declined to make any statement
to the reporter, and as Mr. Pickford was
recalled to the stand and was still TESTIFY
ing when this report was closed He will
PROBABLY not have an opportunity to have
anything to say on the subject today.