The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1908-10-30


that his wife was q prisoner in the
next cell to him in the city prison
James c. Tomalty. awaiting trial on
q charge Of having falsifed public rec
o-ds in connection with the looting Of
the city treasury, was a pitiable sight
for several hours yesterday. Raving
and pleading alternately, he begged
that the shackles be taken from the
limbs Of his wife, while in fact she
was al their home in Ashbury street
with their children. Late last night
the condition of the prisoner was
improved. however, and there seems to
be no further fear that he will lose
his reason.
A feature Of yesterdays proceedings
in the investigation OF the robbery
was the scathing denial Of a fantastic
story published IN the Examiner OF
yesterday morning in connection with
the case All the officials mentioned
IN the article SAID that it was abso-
lutely false in every detail and that
they had never expressed the opinions
ascribeds 10 them by inuendo. All
united. without the slightest hesita-
ton. in conuemning the article as a
gross misstatement Of facts.
Again the specter of Abe Ruefs reign
OF corruption fitted across the scene
when it became known that David
Davis. whose wife is a cousin of the
CRATER had secured his position in the
tfeasurer's Office through the influence
: of the quondam political boss.
PROSECUTION Is PLEASED y
The prosecution last night expressed
satisfaction with the developments Of
the day Not only did the proceedings
make the case against Tomalty still
more convincing, il was claimed. but
the difficult task Of exposing those who
were implicated in the conspiracy was
simplihed.
About o'clock yesterday morning
George Collins, floor man in the city
prison. reported to the sergeant in
charge that Tomalty was raving- Ser
Eeant Coogan, who was at the desk,
went 10 the prisoners cell, and imme-
distely the accused man appealed TO
the sergeant 10 let his wife go free,
as she had never had any knowledge
Of his business affairs and was innO-
cent OF all wrongdoing. The prison
officials tried to calm the prisoner, but
ne insisted that he could hear Mrs
Tomaltys voice in the direction Of the
womens ward. To humor him Ser
geant Coogan took him to that de-
psrtment Of the prison and showed him
the empty cells, but stih Tomalty in
sisted his wife was in the Jail.
During the ensuing three hours To-
malty continued TO rave and plead
and DR.. Watkins, city health officer
was summoned. The doctor stated
that the prisoner was suffering from
hysteria rather than insanity, and pre-
scribed drug which had quieting
influence.
TOMALTY'S WIFE NOTIFIED
rr-f-
titled Of his condition and arrived al
the jail shortly after with his at
torney Frank Costello. Mrs. Tomalty
remained at the Jail until a late hour
last night The patients condition al
midnight was reported as much I'M
proved. and the opinion prevailed that
the attack had been nothing more than
nervous hysteria-
Detectives from the district attorney
Office yesterday developed the fact that
when Tomalty realized that he was be-
. ing Swallowed prior TO his arrest he
commenced drinking heavily. His con-
dition was such on the night following
his sweating by Raymond Benjamin
assistant attorney general, that Mrs
Tomalty telephoned TO Frank B. Lori
gan TO come to the residence at SCI
Ashbury street. Lorigan had never Wis
tied the house before. but had beer
associated in the treasurer's Office with
Tomalty during the Bantel administra-
ton.
Following his first visit TO the resi-
dence Lorigan called again the nexi
night. and has been a visitor at the
city prison every day since Tomalty has
been in custody, on several occasions
holding extended and earnest CONVEX
satons with the prisoner. At his home
last night Lorigan admitted the va
rious visits which he had made to To-
malty's home as well as TO the Jail
but said that they were prompted mere
~ by a spirit OF friendship.
wEBB DENOUNCEs EXAMINER
When shown the article printed in
yesterday mornings Examiner bearing
on the case. in which reference was
made TO a very mysterious woman, ar
anonymous letter, and other matters
besides an alleged interview belittling
the work Of Special Agent Burns. At
torney General L. s. Webb said plainly
that not one Of the statements was
founded on fact
NO anonymous letter or other let
ter bearing on this matter has been re-
ceived either by myself, Mr.. BENJAMIN
or any one in this Office from any rnys-
FERROUS woman, and / know of nc
ground for such a report" said Webb
The present investigation was COM
rnenced by myself after the courts de-
cision in the tax case had been af-
Nrmed. and II became known that the
money was not in the treasury. I ad-
vised with City Attorney Long in re.
gard 10 placing experts on the books
and as the supervisors delayed action
in the matter / finally took the initia-
tive and told the accountants TO &c
ahead.
When II became apparent that there
would be cause for criminal prosecu-
don I called on the district attorney