Los Angeles herald., 1909-03-31
PLACED IN JAIL
ON CHARGE OF
FORGIN &c DEEDS
LEASES SIGNED TO PROPERTY
WORTH NEARLY 100000
MRS. briggs DECLARES THEY
WERE GENUINE GIFT
Says John J. charnock Had Been De-
serted by His Relatives, Whom
She Nursed in Declining
Years

Charged with forging the name of
John J. Charnock, deceased, to leases
on property valued at almost 100000,
Mrs. Gertrude briggs of 1415h South
Main street was placed under arrest
by Deputy Constable Jack Johnston
yesterday as she sat in the office OF
her attorney, Charles M. Alderman,
in the Billiard block. She was ar
raigned before Justice Ling a few
release was fixed at $4,000. Mrs.
briggs was unable to induce friends to
furnish this security for her appear
ance and passed the night in the
county Jail.
The complaint on which Mrs. briggs
was arrested was sworn to by Chester
r. Smead before Deputy District At
torney w. ]. Ford shortly after noon
yesterday, and charges that the wo-
man recorded forged leases to large
tract of land near The Palms. These
leases run for ten years, giving Mrs.
briggs meanwhile almost absolute
control of the property and granting
her the privilege of purchasing 1t at
any time before the expiration of the
leases.
Mrs. briggs contends that the leases
are genuine and were given her in
consideration of her care for and kind
ness to John J. Charnock, who, In his
declining years was almost deserted by
his relatives, as Mrs. briggs AYERS.
Leases Promptly Filed
Charnock died March 20, leaving an
estate valued at nearly 100000. Two
40, HI Mrc iyo f1oH
in the county recorders office two
leases to large tract of land, part of
the estate, worth, 1t is stated, about
$4,000. The leases were witnessed by
Mrs. briggs daughter, Florence c.
Thorbus, an actress. now playing in
Arizona, and were acknowledged be-
fore Attorney G. NJ. Alderman.
1T was anticipated that these leases
would be filed, and measures were
taken before Mr.. Charnock's death to
arrange his property in such way
that it would be disposed Of according
to his wishes, as expressed in his will"
said Mr. Smead yesterday. ITO cir
cumvent Mrs. briggs deeds to all the
property were made in favor of the
heirs, and these were filed a week prior
to the filing of the leases. The execu-
ton OF these deeds by Charnock makes
the belief stronger in my mind that the
leases are forgeries."
Says Life Was Menaced
Mr.. Smead also stated he had re-
ceived information that Charnock's life
was in danger in January, and that
$4,000 had been offered to have him
put out OF the way"
About the middle Of January" he
stated, "a man who said his name was
Lee came to my office and told me he
had been offered $4,000 If he would dis
pose OF the old man. He wanted $1,000
for the information and, in addition,
offered to force Mrs. briggs to leave
town. He was paid $50 at my sug-
gestion. Since then / have not heard
of him..
The deeds recorded by Smead were
for several years acted as Charnock's
agent, was first preached to Lee by two
Los Angeles lawyers, but the identity
of these men, IL known was not dis
closed.
The deeds recorded by Smeal were
acknowledged before ]. F. Goodenow,
notary in the Coulter building, and
disposed of real property valued at
about $780, Two deeds are made out
to Mrs. Lillian Charnock Price, a niece
of John j. Charnock, and one each to
George Charnock, a brother; George
Charnock, a nephew; Nathan Snow
Charnock. a nephew, and Constance
Ruth Drumm, niece.
Lays Blame on Niece
"These leases were delivered to me
by Mr. Charnock because I treated
him kindly when his relatives had all
but deserted him." said Mrs. briggs
yesterday "F'or two years I have
watched over him. My present trouble
Is caused by Mrs. Lillian Charnock-
Price, his niece, who thought her I'M
Gle was Coing to marry me. We were
to be married but his relatives in
fiuenced his mind against me. He then
promised to give me $4,000, and this
may be provision of his will. 1t is
tragical to treat people in this way
without cause"
An effort to have Mrs. Briggs bond
reduced to $1,000 will be made through
habeas corpus proceedings before
Judge Willis of the superior court at
10 o'clock today. At the same hour
the date for Mrs. briggs preliminary
examination will be set In Justice
r Ne.be, MI