New-York tribune., 1903-02-08
JOHNSON REGRETS SUIT.
t.Says He Lent Money TO HoStette''
for Piunging.
WAS HIS BETTING COMMISSIONER.

WAS HIS BETTING COMMISSIONER.
David c. johnson not inclined 10 talk last
night about his suit for S115.ooo against the es-
tate of the late Theodore Hostetter. OF Pitts
burg He told of what II 'plunger Hostetter
had been. and declared that he had been the
wealthy bettor's commissioner He would not
admit that he himself had gambed with HOS
tetter. nor would he say what the Slloeo ne
sued for was. loans gambling debts he
denied that he had bet $1,000 on the toss OF q
coin with Hostetter in the Waldorf. but SAID
that he had given large amounts to the Pitts
burg man when he wished to bet, and was tenn
porarily out of funds.
He denied that Hostetter. reported. had
lost 81 100000 at gambling in this city, and said
the losses would not reach one-ffth of any such
sum, The commissioner said he had With
drawn the suit 10 recover S1f5.0ssl. and init
mated that bringing a suit was the result OF d
mistake. and something no true sport wouid
do johnson denied coming TO any compromise
with the estate by which he received Sllo."e'
but said the case WAS settled With Mr. Clark,
counsel for the heirs
Tod Hostetter was naturally a high Specu-
1stor- said Johnson. He was plunger, one
Of the rerviest of them. He thought nothing Of
going heavily into stocks. and he bet big money
on the horses. polo and yacht races. He was
lucky His Judgment was excellent in all games,
bu; prizefghts were his hoodoos.
II liked the young man and became his com
missioner Ne good friends No matter
where he might be ne telegraphed ne'olrectlons
about his business, and IL he wanted money
he got it, regardless Of the amount.
Now he is dead and gone. aad what Is the
use Of talking about it.
Johnson Rad nothing to say about the story
that Hostetter Vcn $4,000 from him on the last
election of President Mckinley.
On account Of the family. johnson said, he re-
GREETED the publicity Of the case. The stories
Of the losses had been magnifed, even though
Hostetter was d fierce plungeT ever ready TO
put up money
John DeIshunty. attorney for Richard A. Can
field said last night that story that Canneld
tried 10 collect Ss6o0o from the widow Of Theo-
dore Hostetter was d fairy tale When Hos
tetter died the story said. Garfield held due bills
for $4,000, Canheld went to the widow and
demanded payment.
I called up David W. Buckin who is friend
Of MT. Canhelds and has been associated with
him in business way said Mr. Delahunty.
and asked hin, what he thought of this story.
He sai6 10 me: ! knew who MT. Hostetter was,
and, although I not sure think Mr Can
field knew him. At any rate. Mr.. Garfield never
had any personal business transactions with
him. and at the time Of Nj. Hnstetter's death he
not indebted TO Mir. CanfIelS 10 the extent
Of one dollar Amy statement 10 the effect that
MIR. Garfield made claim 10 Mr. Hostetters es-
tate for any sum whatever is absolutely false.
He could not make claim for something that
was not due.
TBT TELEGRAPH JBIBCNE.l
Fittsburg Feb, Few Pittsburgers knew
that suit had been begun against the estate
of the late Theodore Hostetter by David G.
Johnson. Of New-Yorl1, for gambling debts. The
court records show that a suit had been entered,
hut later compromised, what terms it is not
known.
@ :. Richa rdson. OF the law firm of Csssiday
g. Richardson attorneys for Johnson, when
seen at his law Office in Fo1rth-ave this after
noon confirmed the statement that the suit
entered in the Allegheny County courts for
$4,000 had been settled, but he said il Was
not 4 gambling debit" as it would he foolish
debt He said that the debt was incurred by
borrowing money. and that MFR. Johnson is a
well known broker and money lender in New
York.
Fe stated that the suit was filed in the latter
part of last September and that the time a.
statement also filed To the best Of his rec
objection. without going over the records. he
accounts for the sum bv there having been
prounssorv notes for S1ooao $4,000 and $1,000
and that the remainder Of the $1,000 was in
that had accumulated. since some Of the
notes had run for more than two years.
Mr.. Richardson refused to state the terms of
nsettlernent-
MI Richardson said that he knew nothing Of
Nr- Hostetter having paid Johnson enormous
SUM for gambling debts.