The San Francisco call., 1909-05-25
TOM" GIBSON
SQUIRMS ON
HENEYS GRILL
Calhoun Detective, Under Hot
Fire. Is Confused and Has
Memory Lapses
Prosecutor Wrenches COrrObO=
ration of Helms Testimony
From Unwilling HireIings
By W. RUSSELL COLE


Partial corroboration OF much of the
testimony given last week by John H
Helms, former chief OF the Calhoun de-
tective bureau and active director Of
many plots 10 thwart justice, was liter
ally torn from the lips Of adverse wit
uesses IN the Calhoun trial yesterday
by Assistant District Attorney Heney.
Helms was not recalled as a witness
ar ali yesterday. Instead. the day was
devoted 10 q fIling in process in prep
aration for. his return 10 the stand
after a frmer foundation has been laid
for certain features OF his testimony.
To make the desired connections, Heney
was forced 10 rely almost entirely on
7v5-1esses summoned from the inner
-t ranks OF the defense itself and
4 roughly infmical to the prosecution.
Tie result was 2 bitter struggle TO Sc
cure anything but the most evasive
answers from some Of the witnesses
examined and though much of the
substance OF Helms testimony was cor
roborated. there were many subjects
concerning which the memories OF the
witnesses failed them and others re
Eariing which they fatty contradicted
Helms
Lather Brown and Tom Gibson. two
az the United Railroads detectives.
while admitting their employment by
the corporation. practically denied
every detail Of their activities in OBJ
s--lcung the work OF special Agent
Burns. Gibson allowed his display OF
animosity toward Burns to carry him
So Ear that he openly declared his be-
l5es that the Gallagher dynamiting was
a 51b arranged by Burns himself 70
cast odfum on the officials OF the United
RS roads
Zook ADMITS TELEGRAM
Elgsr T. Zook. a law clerk in the
Offices Of Campbell, Metson, Drew. Oat-
man d Mckenzie. admitted the send
ing u the telegram received by Helms
while on his way 10 this city on MAY 10
rs part OF the effort made to pre-
vent him from taking the witness
stand iu behalf Of the state.
The telegram. which was sent 10
Santa Rosa in care Of Conductor Wal
Ter Crawford on the train on which
r1rL.Le vas COMING 10 san EEduClSCD-
requesting the latter 70 call upon At
rorney William H Metson Immediately
Upon his arrival IN this city. was ad-
rirted by ZOOk 70 have been sent by
III a. Nelson's direction.
did Mr- Metson dictate the tele-
gram TO you or did he simply tell YOU
what 10 include IN it, asked Heney.
He told ne substantially what he
snte6 me 20 say, was the answer.
WILSON'S MEMORY LAPsEs
Tom Gibson, who has been one OF
the most active OF the Calhoun sleuths
snce the fall Of 1907. developed z for
Setful streak from the very minute he
went on the stand, even 70 falling TO
remember just what his duties had
been during this period.
We're you detailed 70 any work in
connection with the first Ford trial2"
asked Heuey-
II don't remember
DO you know John H. Helms"
Yes"
How long have you known him?'
IT don't recollect-"
Did you ever have any converse
tony with him regarding this trial or
any OF the Ford trials?"
--T don't think SO.
Did you DO any work in connection
with the second Ford trisl?'
Yes. 7 investigated some jurors"
who detailed you 70 that work.
'I don't remember
To whom did you report2
-'L couldn't say.