The San Francisco call., 1904-08-19

OAKLAND, Aug. 8.-Unmistakably
marked by suffering. and so i'll that she
had to be carried on an ambulance
stretcher, Grace McNaughtor, charged
with the theft of $1,000 worth of per-
sonal effects by Mrs. Thomas Mein,
the mining capitalists widow, was
taken to the County Jail this morning.
The young woman had come from Los
Angeles in company of her sister, Mrs.
Maud Ramsey of San Francisco, and
in custody Of Constable Bert Hemp
stead, who held the warrant for Miss
McNaughton's arrest.
AS soon as the prisoner was installed
in the jail under care of Matron White,
Dr. c. L. Tisdale. the Jail physician,
examined the girl and issued an order
that she be kept in strict seclusion.
Denials all along the line were sent
out in volleys to-day as affecting the
McNaughton side of the accusations
that have been piled up against the
woman since Mrs. Mein reported the
loss of her jewelry and finery to Chief
of Police Hodgkins.
Miss McNaughton insists to her sis
ter and to Constable Hampstead that
she is guiltless; that she is the victim
of spite on the part of Clara La Perl,
known as Haggart, who had been en-
ployed with her as a housemaid at the
Mein residence. Also does Miss Nc
Naughton deny that Chief of Police
Hodglkins had shielded her in any way
or that she had any acquaintance with
Hodgkins except such as she had
formed through twice meeting him at
his Office on police business.
ACCUSES CHIEF HODGKINS.
Hodgkins' connection with the case
dates from the time it was reported to
him by Mrs. Mein. There was a con-
troversy between the two because the
Chief refused to arrest Miss McNaugh-
ton unless Mrs. Mein should swear to
a complaint against her former en-
ploye. This Mrs. Mein had refused to
do. She accused Hodgkins of shielding
the girl, and declared Miss McNaugh-
ton had said she held Hodgkins under
her thumb. The girl has denied max
ing this statement.
During a lapse after the warfare of
words between Mrs. Mein and Hodg-
kins, the girl disappeared from Oak
land She bobbed up at Larkspur in
charge of George Clary, an alleged
private detective. Then came a chap
ter in effect that HOdgkins had the
girl sent to Larkspur and had paid for
her board. Hodgkins fatty denies this
as does Miss McNaughton.
Meanwhile Mrs. Mein consulted an
attorney and after consideration de-
cided to swear to a complaint herself.
This was done and as the result the
young woman is in the County Jail.
She was located in Los Angeles by
Hodgkins, who used information said
to have been supplied by A. j. Court,
manager of a private detective agency
in San Francisco.
Court has claimed a reward Of $25
offered for Miss McNaughton's arrest.
Concerning Miss McNaughton's de
malls Constable Hampstead said:
DENIES THE THEFT.
1.-The girl told me that she did not
steal a thing from Mrs. Mein, that she
believed Clara La Perl had put the
things in her basket to get even with
her because Mrs. Mein had seemed to
favor Miss McNaughton and had or
dered the other girl discharged
Miss McNaughton denied stories
she had attempted to blackmail young
men about town, but admitted a man
had given her $325 to meet her expenses
during a severe Illness"
Chief of Police Hodgkins said:
"Grace McNaughton, a. stranger to
me, and her sister came to me July 1.
declaring that Grace was in trouble