The San Francisco call., 1904-08-17
An Anonymous Fiend Sends
Wicked Letter to Mrs.
Thomas Mein of Oakland
MUST STOP PROSECUTION
Mysterious Author Insists
That Grace McNaughtOn'S
Nemesis VIII Be Killed
Oakland Office San Francisco Call,
1915 broadway, Aug. is.

l0l6 Broadway, Aug. 10
Mrs. Thomas Mein. who swore TO
warrant for the arrest of her former
maid, Grace AfcNaughton, who was
captured last night at Los Angeles, has
received a scurrulously written letter
threatening the woman with death un-
less she shall cease her prosecution OF
Miss AfcNaughton- The message has
been given into the hands Of Constable
Bert Hampstead. 1T reads as follows:
CITY, Aug. TO- 1904
Ms Mein. Lake and Jackson streets. OAK
land. Cal--A warning: ] would like 70 give
fsr enough with that McNaughton and Hods-
kins case 50 II you don't drop the case
a. once your life amt worth 10 cents, because
j reside night here IN Oakland and VIII Kill
you deader than a nail, help me God Don I
you thnk and give no heea 70 ms, So D-caLSs tLS
week is ont. The writer OF this ain't no
crank, but a sensible person who has taken taken
lie Before 50 drop case al once 70 spar
your lie. ] viii only warn you once 80 oy-
b.. Your bitter enemy. F. c. K. Oakland
] VIII mail this IN s. F.. Cal
Across the face Of the letter was
written. Death TO you"
Mrs. Mein held the letter for several
days after receiving 1t, August IL, and
then turned IT over to the authorities.
The handwriting is apparently that Of
a. woman, though il is disguised The
warning had no effect on Mrs. Mein
other than to strengthen her decision
10 prosecute the girl who, ii is charged,
stole a large quantity Of finery from the
Mein wardrobe. Mrs. Mein said:
am satisfied that a woman wrote the let
ter. But II IL was intended to frighten me OF
from prosecuting Grace MCNaughtOn II. has not
accomplished its purpose AS soon as the girl IS
brought back here 10 face the court snall
be ready 10 give my testimony. This kind OF
work shall not deter me for a moment.
Constable Hampstead departed on
the Owl tonight for Los Angeles 10
bring back Miss AIcNaughtOn. He was
advised by the Sheriff that the girl
could be moved, though she was in
condition that would require careful at
tention.
Now comes Chief of Police Hodgkins
with the statement that he located Miss
McNaughton in Los Angeles and ad-
Vised the Southern California police
where the girl could be found. IN this
connection J. A. Court, a private detee-
tive Of san Francisco figures as seek
ing for a reward Of s25 that had been
offered for the girls arrest Constable
Hampstead to-day made public the
following correspondence from the
Chief Of Police:
Once CHIEF OF Police. Oakland. Aug 12.
-5eo4.-Bert Hampstead. Constable. Oakland,
Cal-Sfr. Inclosed please find CODY OF let
Ter we received This date regarding Grace Nc
Saughton, wanted on charge ar grand lar
ceny.
We know this man Court is acquainted With
the McNaughtOn girl and possibly he has
knowledge of her whereabouts. Yours truly,
s c. HODGKINS. Chief Of Police.
American Detective Association OF Indian
Hpolis. Ind, superntendent's once. san Fran
cisco Cal. Aug. IL 1904.-Chief OF Detective.
care OF CHIEF Of Police Oakland. Cal.-Dear
Sir: ] have been informed that there is
reward for Grace McNaughton's arrest. II
Constable Hempstead or parties interested viii
make a bona fde offer ] win make arrest
through this agency supply Information for
YOU 70 do 80. ] mean business and have the
Information, which VIII be delivered when
sure OF securing the reward FOR my trouble.
etc. which have been considerable. i did for
get your name. therefore I write in care OF
the Chief. Most respectfully.
J. A COURT.