The San Francisco call., 1907-02-02
Smyfh Is Figure
in Weird Mystery
Says Stranger With Clever
Touch Made All His
Trouble
CALL HEADQUARTERS,
1907 EIGHTH STREET.


man F. H. Smyth has no intention of
apologizing for the signed newspaper
article declaring that Legislators acted
disgracefully while travelling by special
train to the funeral Of John ]. Burke
Accompanied by his attorney, ]. L.
Copeland, Smyth appeared before the
Assembly Investigating committee to-
day, pleaded not guilty and told story
of how he had been wronged by a mys
terious newspaper man whose name he
did not know. The fnquisitors took the
testimony OF several witnesses, held an
executive conference and adjourned
without coming to any decision. An
other session may be held but in any
event a report will be submitted to the
Assembly early next week.
Chairman Wyatt, assisted by his COL
leagues on the committee, questioned
the witnesses at today's investi-
cation. Attorney Copeland presented
a short typewritten document which
Smyth insisted was the original of the
article he dictated for publication In
the Willows Journal and other news
papers in his district. The admitted
letter contained nothing more startling
than some sophomore leVity concern
ing the Republican majority and it's
way of doing business. Nowhere was
there a word about the Burke funeral.
THE MYSTERIOUS STRANGER
Defendants exhibit B was a carbon
copy of the letter printed in the Will
lows journal 1t contained in slightly
different phraseology all that Smyth
admitted writing and an additional
paragraph charging that drunken
legislators paraded through the aisles
of the Burke funeral train and pulled
the chaplain from his berth.
Il done the first, but not the second
said Smyth. According to his story he
became acquainted with a mysterious
and dissipated man, supposed TO be
connected with some newspaper. The
mystery cultivated Smyth for twelve
days, often borrowing small sums and
never paying back anything, but Smyth
never learned his name.
He used to come to me asking for
enough to eat" said Smyth. -and like
a good fellow from the mountains, 1
gave him dollar now and then"
Smyth paused, pointed to exhibit B,
and added. This is what I got
Smyth. went on with his story. He
dictated to this man of mystery an
article intended for publication in
Lake, Glenn and Colusa counties. The
unofficial amanuensis went away and
came back with an original in type
writing, and what looked like several
carbon copies. Smyth signed the orig
inal and saved it, Without reading the
supposed copies, he instructed his sec
retary. E. Hudson, TO sign them IF. H.
Smyth" and mail them to three papers,
one of which was the Willows Jour
nal, This was done, and soon Smyths
troubles began.
HIS LOOKS ALL RIGHT
That's all I know about it," said
Smyth Il have not seen the man
since, although I've been looking for
him for two days. I'd like to get hold
of him
A few moments later Smyth inquired
of the inquisitors, Il don't look like a
liar to you people, do II" He was as
sured that his looks were all right.
Several witnesses gave unimportant
Testimony. An executive session fol-
lowed, but no light was thrown on the
Identity of: the mysterious stranger un-
til after adjournment. Then Chairman
Wyatt was informed that the elusive
person who obliged Smyth by taking a
little dictation and transcribing it for
newspaper use was ]. T. Merrill, re-
Gently an employe of a local paper, but
now supposed to be in San Francisco.
The committee will make an attempt
to find Merrill.
MEANWHILE Smyth faces the future
with hope and determination. I'm
willing to stand for what 1 really
wrote" he says, but I amt going to
apologize for something / never done"