The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1908-12-12
CIairvOyant Who Was Exposed
by Oakland Teacher Makes
Full Confession
Escapes Prosecution Because
Miss M. c. Ellis, His Dupe,
Viii Not Press Charge
duplicates A. A. Ames, Mining
Promoter, and Says He Will
Leave State

As a result Of the exposure of his
methods by The Call, J. Hobart Deane.
alias Jack Coker, clairvoyant and pre-
tended society man, was yesterday ar
rested by Captain W. H Petersen of
the Oakland detective force. That he
was not held for prosecution was due
10 the fact that Miss II. C. Ellis. the
Oakland school teacher who says he
swindled her. refused TO press the
charge.
Previous TO his arrest. however, the
seer made full and complete confess
sion TO Captain Petersen, in which he
placed A. A. Ames, one of the promot-
ers o. the Arizona Verde mining COM
pany, in an unenviable light. The lat
ter admitted later that he had had
dealings with Deane but claimed that
the mind reader" had only secured
stock as compensation for teaching the
promoter some ~parlor tricks"
Deane decided yesterday TO leave
California Miss Ellis. whom he duped,
viii probably have her money returned
10 her by the men responsible for the
issuance Of the Arizona Verde stock.
DEANE Is SURPRISED
Deane was astounded yesterday morn
ing when he secured a copy of The
Call containing an expose of his meth
DDS, and Immediately laid plans to leave
Oakland. He came to San Francisco.
but returned to his studio" across the
bay in the afternoon and was met there
by Captain Petersen and two reporters.
Deane's bland manner had disappeared
and he presented worried appearance.
During an hour and half of cross
examination by Petersen Deane admit
tel that he had heeced the public, that
The science which he professed to pos
sess was all contained in the trick desk,
that ne had no power to read minds.
and finally frankly admitted that he
had obtained money under false pre-
lenses. The only excuse he offered was
that he could not keep his family in
comfortable circumstances on an in
come which he might obtain from legit-
innate employment
IAPLICArEs AMEs
Deane denied that he was acting as
the agent OF the promoters Of the Ari-
IONA Verde mining company, but ad-
mitted that A. A Ames one of the min
ing men. had given him 1000 shares Of
stock at one time, when he wanted to
purchase the trick desk. At various
times during the examination Deane
contradicted himself, and when caught
frankly confessed that he had told what
was untrue
At the conclusion of the examination
Captain Petersen took Deane into Gus
tody and sent word to Miss Ellis. The
latter refused to press the charge.
Deane removed the magic desk and
all of the other psychic" appurtenances
from his rooms in the Hotel Adams and
last evening said he would probably
leave this part OF the country today.
A. A Ames last evening admitted
that he had become interested in the
elairvoyant's work at one time and had
given him a block of stock as compen-
sation for instruction in a few tricks
We have tried to protect all of those
who invested any money in Arizona
Verde" said Ames, by giving them
stock in the Mascot company. Dr. Long
ana myselI nave 10 pay Tor this Mascot
stock, as there is absolutely no connec-
ton between the two corporations"
will you indemnify Miss Ellis for
her losses2" Ames was asked
Il think that is up to Deane," he an
swered-
But you gave Deane the stock. and
now say that you intend to protect all
who were interested in Arizona Verde
We'll. the matter certainly deserves
consideration" said Ames.
AMES ADMITS DEAL
Ames admitted that the stock he sold
in Oakland had, been given him for his
services as a promoter and had cost
him nothing. He could not state how
much Of the money secured from the
sale OF stock had gone toward the de-
velopment Of the mining property, but
asid il was very small.
Miss Ellis viii probably take stems |
to recover her money from Long and
Ames.
This fellow Deane is one of the
clever schemers who make an easy liv-
ing travelling around the country" said
Captain Petersen last night However
] do not think he will bother the peonle
OF Oakland or San Francisco in the
near future"
Are you investigating the connection
Of Ames and Long with Deane?"
4 am slightly interested in the stock /