davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The San Francisco call., 1904-04-07
HYDE. AND DIMOND UNCOVER
EVIDENCE FOR GOVERNMENT
McEnerney Opens the
Way for Hard Blows
at Defendants.
Witnesses for Prose-
cution Tell All That
They Know.

Some very sensational testimony
was given yesterday against Defend
ants Hyde and Dimond in the great
land fraud hearing, and it was given
by witnesses they had themselves call
ed to the stand. Blocked by the ad-
verse rulings of Commissioner Hea-
cock upon their repeated demands that
the Government produce the evidence
upon which the indictment was re-
turned, the defense found that its only
way to discover the prosecutions case
was to let the Government witnesses,
ton, tell what they really knew. So
there was a change in the tactics of
defendants counsel yesterday. Instead
of continuing TO ask merely negative
questions as to what the Federal wit
nesses. were sure not to know, Nc
Enerney. Schlesinger. Wheeler and
knight opened the bag wide and the
cat came out Now they know the
worst, or some of it, and will prepare
their case to meet it.
The star witness yesterday was Mrs.
Belle A. Curtis, formerly chief stenog-
rapher in the office of Fled A. Hyde.
She told only part of what ne is said
TO know. but that was enough to cause
every person in the courtroom to give
breathless attention. In brief, her di-
rect testimony in answer to McEner-
ney's questions, and still more her re-
plies to Heneys cross-examination
amounted to this-that F. A. Hyde and
John A. Benson were partners by
virtue Of a signed agreement in the
business of obtaining fraudulent titles
TO school lands of the States of Califor-
MIA and Oregon and exchanging them
for good titles from the Federal Gov
ernment; that the State lands were ac-
quired by the wholesale use of dunn
mics and forged affidayits, and that in
this work they were aided by State and
Federal officials, some of whom were
named by the witness and accused of
collusion with the alleged conspirators.
Mrs. Curtis testimony was followed by
other evidence in similar tenor, and it
will be further corroborated it is un-
derstood. when the hearing is resumed
next week
The San Francisco call., 1904-04-07
NEWFOUNDLAND
NOW SATISFIED
Negotiations on Fisheries
Question Practically As
sures Sovereignty of Island
DENY ALLIANCE RUM0R
Diplomats Perceive Signs
of a Rapprochement Be-
tween England and France

PARIS, April e.-It is denied in off,
cial quarters that there is foundation
for the report that Newfoundland will
take steps to enter the Dominion Of
Canada as a result of the Anglo
French settlement of the shore and
fisheries questions. which heretofore
had interfered with Newfoundland s
complete sovereignty.
The fact that the Colonial treaty will
be signed at an early date is bringing
out another manifestation of the rap
prochement between Great Britain
and France. The Temps says in this
connection that Great Britain's gain in
Newfoundland is Americas loss, but
declares that the United States has
been covetous OF the French fisheries
and says France had difficulty in
making il understood that the islands
Of st. Pierre and Miquelon were not for
sale.
The San Francisco call., 1904-04-07
WANT EXTRADITION
ON BRIBERY CHARGE
America Asks That a Retroactive
Agreement Be Made With

PARIS, April 6.-Foreign Minister
Delcasse, at the request of the United
States embassy. has written to Minis
ter Of Justice Vale, requesting an early
decision on the request or the United
States to make bribery ground for ex-
tradition. The Foreign Office officials
have no objection to the American re-
quest. but as a formality referred it to
the Minister of Justice, in whose de-
partment il has been sIumbering for
some months. 1t is believed that the
delay is due TO the State Department.
desire to make the agreement retro
active, so as to cover bribery hereto
fore committed. The retroactive fea-
lures probably will not be granted, but
if they are it is expected that they
viii have a sensational sequel of GER
tain persons now sojournIng in Europe
who are suspected of having been con-
nected with municipal bribery in d
large American city.
The San Francisco call., 1904-04-07
CUTS THROAT
WITH A RAZOR
Rene ThOrsch of San Fran
cisco Attempts to Commit
Suicide at Los Angeles
CONFEssEs TO CRIME
Says That He Is a Fugitive
From Justice, Having En-
bezzled Employers Funds
sp.cial dispatch % rhs can.

LOS ANGELES, April 6.-At the re-
quest of the San Francisco Police De-
partment Rene Thorsch, who was
found in Central Park this morning
after he had tried to commit suicide
by cutting his throat with a razor, Is
being held until an officer can reach
here to take him back, the informa-
ton having been received here that he
is to be prosecuted on a charge Of en-
bezzlement.
Thorsch is only 1s years of age and
says he came here from San Francisco
to escape prosecution. At las o'clock
this morning he was found in the
park with his throat cut and his wrists
gashed. He was taken to the Receiv-
ing Hospital, where the surgeons
stopped the flow of blood and pre-
vented him from bleeding to death.
On his person was found the following
note:
MY name is Rene Thorsch. Ny
home is in San Francisco, where my
parents live at 1892 Pine street. 1
hope God will forgive me for doing
this, but it is for the best. 1t is my
own fault, as L always nave ndd a
good home, but gambling was my un-
doing My belongings are at 1902
South Grand avenue. Please notify
my father, as the shock would kill my
mother
The wounds which Thorsch inflicted
are not serious, although he would
have bled to death if not discovered
in time.
Thorsch stated tonight that he had
been in the employ of ]. B. Whitney
of .120 Suffer street, San Francisco.
and admitted that he was short in his
accounts. He expressed a willingness
to go back to San Francisco to face
'any charges which may be preferred
and intimated that others would be
implicated in what he had to tell when
he reaches San Francisco.
The San Francisco call., 1904-04-07
PACIFIC STEEL COMPANY
COMPLETES BIG DEAL
Closes Negotiations for the Purchase
of Coal Lands and Railway Ex-
tensions in Washington.

SAN DIEGO, April 6.-Negotiations
were closed to-day by the Pacific
Steel Company for the purchase of ex-
tensive coal lands near Tacoma,
Wash, owned by John H. Scott. The
sum to be paid is s650.000. The prop
erty consists of coal land, railway ex-
tension and a coking plant. Another
deal was closed for the purchase of
800 acres owned by the Tacoma Coal
and Coke Company, OF 1928 acres
leased from the Northern Pacific Rail-
road Company, and 1885 acres, the
controlling stock in which is owned
by the Tacoma Coal and Coke Com
pany.
TACOMA, Wash, April ST do not
know of any such concern as the Pa
cific Steel Company and there is alb
solutely no truth in the statement that
l have sold to it any property of any
kind" said, John H. Scott tonight
when shown the San Diego dispatch
which says he had sold his coal lands
to the Pacific Steel Company for $780,
900.
The San Francisco call., 1904-04-07

Wade. Gerichs Madsen, Bray Tierce. Green
niger. Len mon. Hartman. Kirkmha; Mesdames
Freeman and Farnsworth: Fifth Regiment
hand, Company =. Fifth Regiment. y. G. c..
Captain q. l.. Hoitum commanding; light bat
terry. Third United States Artillery.
Second diyison-San Jose band: Walter
Ch-isman. marshal: Ed Younger. aid: f. 7.
Georges aid: knights OF the Orchard 100
strong: county officials in carriages: city Off
ciais in carriages: distinguished visitors in
riages.
Third division-Santa clara band; Henry
Lion marshal; John 6. Liebert, aid: Leo
Archer. aid. Battle OF Flowers (mountedD.
knights Edwin A Wilcox Z. s Smith. Leo
Archer, Charles Colombet. Henry Lion. Norman
Kooser Ec Clayton DR. p. H. Browning Bert
Hooking Frank Martin for San Jose: knights
John G. Leibert NJ. Shafer William Shad-
burn. Loais Olivaris, Alfred Rispand Jack
Heating. James Maher William Beasly. Fred
Huber. Ira G Began for Santa Clara College.
Floats. clubs and organizations - Nalhalla
Circle No. 5T1 Women OF Woodcraft; Ladies
Of the Maccabees: Ladies Of the G. A. r.
Circle: John 4. Dix Relief Corps; q. A r.
battle veterans. Pioneers. Pioneer Blossoms :
Daughters OF Pioneers; Grange; San Jose
School Department; St Joseph's College,
Oratorio Society Music" Whites Business
College: san Jose Business College: Evergreen
Improvement Club: First Ward Improvement
Club; Second Ward Improvement Club Third
Ward Improvement Club. Sempervirens' Club
State Normal School: Farmers Club.
Fourth division-A- i. Murgotten, marshal :
Johnnie Rein. aid; Louis Downing. aid :
Columbian Park Band: Columbian Park Drum
COrps Columbian Park Drill COrps
The San Francisco call., 1904-04-07
GARDENS LOSE
THEIR RICHES
Thousands of Pretty Buds
Used TO Adorn Vehicles
for Parade at San Jose
MANY VISITORS ARRIVE
Battle of Roses Is to
Take Place at Agricultural
Park After the Procession
Special Dispatch to The call

SAN JOSE, April e.-The ladies in
charge Of the blossom fete 10 be held
here tomorrow completed their ar
rsngements tonight and everything is
IN readiness for the greatest floral
show eveE seen in Central California.
The county and city have been search
ed for all the flowers in bloom, and Wis
itors who come here tomorrow will
witness a pretty sight. Thousands Of
roses. with poppies and Gala lilies
have been used TO decorate the car
riaees. automobiles and floats that are
20 appear I'm the parade. The matrons
and buds of society will ride in decor
ated rigs and turnOuts drawn by styl-
fsh -thoroughbreds. The display by
san Jose's -four hundred" viii be a
distinct feature.
All dav long flowers were being de-
livered at the Sarah B. Cooper Kinder
garten. where a score Of busy workers
were arranging their displays, and
from the immense quantity received
one would hardly think there was A
flower left in the vicinity. There will
be some original and pretty designs
in the parade.
Visitors began to arrive tonight for
the festival from adjoining cities and
towns From san Francisco. Oakland
and other bay points immense crowds
will come IN the morning trains A
feature OF the parade Will be a series
Of floats representing Alice in Won
derland." Boy Blue and Bo Peep.
"Red Riding Hood" and "Old King
Cole"
The San Francisco call., 1904-04-07
WELL-KNOWN RESORT
is DESTROYED BY FIRE
Hotel, Cottages and Bathhouses at
Orr Hot Springs in Mendocino
County Are Total Loss.

UKIAH, April 6.-Orr Hot Springs,
a summer resort, eleven miles west of
this city on the Mendocino road, was
destroyed by fire last night. The
cause of the fire is unknown. The fire
started in the hotel and soon en-
veloped the cottages and bathhouses.
The loss will reach $4,000. Within
the past ten years the hotel has been
burned twice
The San Francisco call., 1904-04-07
DECORATED AUTOMOBILES.

Fifty decorated automobiles Will be
in line. Those who have decided TO
enter their machines in the parade
are:
George Anderson. machine decorated by
the Misses Florence and Edna Latta Helen
Ellis az Los Gatos and Caroline Haas; ". =.
allen. Or. John Benepie. Dr. 7. H.. Bangs
II r. Bradford. George Bent William Binder.
1r p. case Dr. = H Durgin OF CupeTtino
Wilbur Edwards Mrs. II A Gabriel David
Goodseli Frank Holmes OF Berryessa f. A.
Hunter -. r. Harris ". A. Johnson. z.
Knickerbocker. Clarence Letcher machine dec
GRATED by the Misses Rita Dinsmore Bessie
Henry. Neya Cahil and Gertrude MacIntosh),
Dr. r. k. Ledysrd Harry Ledyard. Mr. Rowe.
= p Norlhanl George II 9sen. Ed Rich
mond Pierre Saisset. J. o. Tucker. DIR. E
Nisiolhl. clarence Lumnsrd Rex sherburne
with TWO decorated miniature automobiles
Bullet No ] and No , J. r. WEIGH the
Misses Nius and May Welch. Women OF
N'oodcraft in Mrs. Magoon's auto Baron Mer-
chant of San Francisco Charles Petry Ro-
ravne Hunkins
A battle Of roses viii follow the pro-
cession at agricultural Park The fol-
lowing warriors viii be mounted on
gayly decorated steeds: Edwin A.
Wilcox, Z. :. Smith. Leo Archer. Henry
Lion. Charles Colombet. Norman Koos-
er. Ed Clayton. p. H. Browning. Bert
Hooking and Frank Martin
The Saint Claire Club has turned its
handsome clubhouse over to the Wo-
mans Club for tomorrow in which
10 entertain its prominent guests.
PARADE FORMATION.
Mrs. F. H. Patterson is grand mar
shal OF the parade. which viii consist
OF seven divisions. as follows:
Parade lorna tion-Cirsnd marshal Mrs r
- Patterson chief of stan, Colonel A X.
Nhtton, chief aid. q. H. Geldert: aid DR.
Anthony Nils. aid. Miss Dora Farnsuorth.
Advance of Spring. Misses Wade, Bland.
The San Francisco call., 1904-04-07
sunny suburban Homes.

Beautiful illustrated booklet outlining ad-
yanta-es and attractions of Sunny Marin
County for summer all the year round sub
urban homes-30 minutes to one hour from
San Francisco. List of hotels. etc Dis
tributed free at Information Bureau, No. 6o6
Market street. San Francisco, or mailed 20
any address on receipt of &c postage.
The San Francisco call., 1904-04-07

from dictation and which Hyde and Benson
signed in duplicate each keeping copy.
How did they get title to the Oregon lands?
BY the same methods used here-that is. by
getting persons to sign applications for the
lands and when the deeds were made out in
their name then to assign the deeds to Hyde
or his agent. Schneider. know this by the
correspondence which came to the office and
relating to the different cases.
You have knowledge to forgery in
connection with any of these lieu lands. have
you?
l had some knowledge, but did not see any
forgery committed
Did you know the defendant Dlmond while
in Hyde's office?
1 never him there or knew OF his con-
nect1on with Hyde's business until after 1 left
the office.
Then the witness was turned over
to Heney for cross ss-examination. He
questioned her just enough to bring
out the Government s grounds that the
transactions she had described We're
tainted with fraud. Mrs. Curtis testi-
fed in part as follows:
1 signed two applications at Mr. Hydes re-
quest Tse first was In August, 1898, for 200
acres in Pine Mountain and Zaca Lake Forest
Reserve Santa Barbara County. | never saw
this land did not swear to my applica ton
Hyde paid me $40 to sign. and after the certifi-
cate OF purchase issued in October. 1s9S
l assigned II to him his request.
My second application was for 40 acres in
the Sierra Forest Reserve. Ere sno County This
too. was not sworn to by me. l assigned the
certificate TO HYDE in this also, and re-
ceived so. Neither of these assignments was
acknowledged before Notary.
Did you not know you were losing your
school land right?
Yes but / working for Hyde and he
asked me- so | Just signed
The San Francisco call., 1904-04-07
Will DELIGHT CHILDREN.

Chidrens classic fOats-"Alice in Wonder
Beauty. brownies. Cinderella. Land of
Nod. Peter Pumpkin Eater Red Riding
Hood Robinson Crusoe.' Sing Song
SiNpence old King Cole 'Sunbonnet
Babies. Little Miss Mufft," Water
Babies. Wise Men, 'Katzenjammers."
Van Sykle. Randall. Laughlin, Frank, Van
Sykle. Weinberg, Freeman. Holt. Stark. Coe.
Nelson, Angevine. Hughes and Petree.
Fifth division-Santa clara College band:
n. d. Melvin, marshal; Sewell Hatcher. aid;
Z. $ Smith. aid.
Decorated carriages-Pioneer Society with
decorated carriages: Miss Mabel Lynne. Miss
Jesse McGraw, Miss Louise McGraw and Miss
Hazel Singleton; Mrs. NJ. Portal and Miss
Spitzer: Mrs. e Coppock: Mrs viii Rvder:
Marvin T. Hubbard; Sid Grammar: Mr.. and
Mrs Frank Moon: Mrs. William Leet and Mrs
Hunt: Miss Jane Williams and Mrs Albert
Thorndyke: Mrs. J. f. Auzerais: Miss Blanche
Csuhape and Miss Eleanor Dougherty: Mrs. F.
$ Granger and Mrs J; T. Campbell; the
Misses Granger; Mrs. VIII Selby; T. B. Keli:
Mr.. and Mrs. Leaman; Miss Eleanor Gator
and Miss Maude Campbell; Mrs. J. Nathan;
Mrs. &. II. Pennoyer and Mrs. f. Knicker-
booker: Womans Club tallyho: Young Wom-
ans Club tallyho: baseball teams in carriages.
Sixth division-Lydia N. Bell, aid; E. salas.
wheels; Nendome Parlor. y. ID. G. w,
wheels: wheelmen; horribles on wheels.
Glen Lumbsrd aid; fifty decorated automo-
biles
Line Of march: Parade forms on East Santa
Clara street, thence 10 Second street thence 10
san Antonio. to first, to Santa Clara. to Third,
10 ST. James. to First. to Bassett. counter
march TO Santa Clara, to Agricultural Park.
BATTLE OF ROSES.
The scene of festivities will be shift
ed to Agricultural Park in the after
noon. AS the parade enters the
grounds those in line will be showered
with flowers as they pass under the
tribunes at the entrance to the park.
A battalion Of the Third Artillery from
San Francisco will give an exhibition
drill. Then will come the battle of
flowers, in which teams from Santa
Clara and San Jose will meet. A ring
spearing contest by mounted knights
will follow and the Columbian Park
Boys Club of San Francisco will give
a drill. There viii be grand show
parade by the bIooded race horses now
in training at the track. followed by a
number of races. Mayer Bros club
and the Santa Clara College baseball
team will give an exhibition of base
ball.
A helping factor in the blossom fes-
tival is the Young Women's Club. an
auxiliary of the Woman's Club. 1t is
composed of young society buds, and
they have worked energeticaIly to
make the fete a success. Prominent
among them are Miss Rita Dinsmore,
Miss Edna Latta, Miss jeanette Noble
and Miss Florence Latta.
The San Francisco call., 1904-04-07
Lectures on digestion.

DIR. A. w. Perry lectured to an au-
dience composed of physicians and
students at the Emanuel Sisterhood
last night on the hygiene of digestion.
The San Francisco call., 1904-04-07

NEW YORK. April 6-The emergency com
mittee OF the Building Trades Employers AS
sociation to-day ratified the resolution adopted
by the general arbitration committee provid-
ing that the Is 600 bricklayers on strike should
return TO work pending arbitration OF all eX-
isting difficulties.
The San Francisco call., 1904-04-07

SAN JOSE April 6.--The body of Donald r
Palmer young Chicago merchant, who died
in this city two days ago. was shipped to-day 10
ST. Louis his birthplace.
The San Francisco call., 1904-04-07
A PROMISE NOT KEPT.


Hold on there" cried Government
Counsel Heney. This looks like an
other fishing excursion"
Our object" McEnerney retorted
lis to show by this witness that the
relations between Hyde and Benson
were absolutely inconsistent with the
existence of such a conspiracy as is
charged in the indictment and that
there was no conspiracy
Il think it evident" Heney said,
that defendants are simply trying to
find out what the Government can
prove-just what notes this witness
has. As a matter of fact, they ought
to have these notes in their own pos
session"
well. we haven't" answered Hyde's
lawyer
"A newspaper in Washington. +"
Heney continued, started the story
that Mrs. Curtis had read her steno-
graphic notes before the Grand Jury.
Mrs. Curtis, is that true?'
mo Those notebooks were Mr..
Hyde's property and when l left his
office 1 left them there and have never
seen them since"
This disposed of that tangle and Nc
Enerney continued the examination.
with the result of almost Immediately
calling from the witness the following
testimony, which alone may hold his
client for trial:
Mrs. Curtis did you ever apply for land
location in California?
Yes. 1 signed application at Mr. Hyde's
request Many others in the office or near by
did the same. among them being Miss Farwell
our cashier: her sister Miss Susie FarweIl: |:
Leon Samuels attorney who had desk room
in Hyde's office; Mrs. E A. Ellsworth: c.
Stein. a barber: Mrs Sarah Stein; James
Scott. the colored janitor of the building and
many others. Stein brought in number of
men to sign applications whose names / can
rot remember and James Scott brought a
great many negroes. who also signed the
blanks Besides these there were a number of
employees on Hyde's ranches who signed an
pications at his request. All these applied
for California lands.
What about locations of school lands in
Oregon?
Schneider was sent up there by Hvde "a GET
hold of Oregon lands and Benson and his SON
were in Oregon and Washington themselves
Hyde and Benson were working together In
interest
HYDE AND BENSON PARTNERS.
How do you know this?
Because OF the agreement which wrote out
The San Francisco call., 1904-04-07
PARADE FORMATION.
ADVERTISEMENTS.
Pears

Which would you rath-
er have, if you could have
your choice, transparent
skin or perfect features ?
All the world would
choose one way; and you
can have it measurably.
If you use Pears Soap
and live wholesomely
otherwise, you will have
the best complexion Ma
ture has for you.
Sold all over the world.
The San Francisco call., 1904-04-07

PANAMA, April 6.-The members OF the
United States Canal Commission received an
enthusiastic welcome on their arrival here
from Colon to-day
The San Francisco call., 1904-04-07

GEocers buy Hills Bros Arabian Roast
fresh almost every day.
The San Francisco call., 1904-04-07
San Francisco Veterinary College.

Next session will begin June 6th Catalogues
by appIyins to DIR. E. 7. Creelv. aio G. q. ava
The San Francisco call., 1904-04-07
WHAT McCUSKER KNEW.


Have you ever seen any affidavits,
applications. deeds or other documents
emanating from Hyde or relating to
his transactions in Oregon lands that
were false, fraudulent or forged?" was
asked by Hyde's attorney. McCusker
said he had seen none that he recog-
nized as forged or fraudulent Then
Heney got out the following testimony:
J. II. Schneider came to Portland with an
introduction from Mr. Sherman of the San
francisco house of Sherman & Clay. He ex-
planned his plan for acquiring Oregon school
lands. | did not then see anything wrong
about It, and as he offered $40 for each
application 1 might bring in 1 agreed to help
him had many acquaintances and soon had
the applications coming in rapidly Every ap
plicant got So for signing Schneider fur
nished all the blanks with descriptions Of the
lands to be located written by himself 1 had
some of my friends assisting me in getting
sgners. (The witness read long list of sign
ers obtained by him and his canvassers.)
All the applicants secured went before No
tary ID. Alexander and to their appli-
cations. / took up some land myself and
transferred it to Schneider.
Last year a young man named Levinson
came to me in Portland. saying he was from
Schneider and asking me to sign some papers
These papers contained declaration that the
lands were taken up of my own free will and
that I had acted in everything without any
outside pressure. refused to sign because
by this time had heard so much talk of land
frauds that / was determined to have nothing
more 10 do with Schneider l told Levinson
that If the Government wanted to know what
knew l would tell everything
The last witness of the day was d
Alexander, the notary mentioned by
McCusker. He confirmed McCusker's
testimony and added further evidence
against Schneider. as follows:
Schneider brought me many transfers for me
to fill in my jurat. In every case the name
of the grantee left blank L affixed my,
jurat at his request None of the parties an
peared before me to acknowledge the assign
ments. Schneider promised to send them
around. but they never came
Did you think it right to do this?
Well you see, Schneider came around to nv
office and talked about his plans for an hour
and thought he was such respectable fell
low he wouldn't do anything wrong.
Besides. he paid the notarial fees promptly,
did he not?
Yes, sir.
Owing to other engagements of coun-
sci, the hearing was adjourned until
Tuesday morning next. 1t is expected
that Miss Marion Doyle, who succeed
ed Mrs. Curtis as Hyde's chief stenog-
rapher, will bring the story told yes
terday down to much later date Miss
Doyle was one of the Government wit
nesses before the Grand Jury that re-
turned the indictment.