The San Francisco call., 1910-09-29


who assisted in the illegal operation
and saw Thompson mutilate the body
Of Eva Swan and crush it into trunk,
was also locked in an individual cell
and will be held as q material witness
against Thompson. her former lover,
Paul p. Parker. the man who visited
Eva Swan in Thompson hospital and
who has been held in detinue since last
Sunday night until he could testify at
the coroner's jury, was released and
went home; Willie eack. who assisted
'Dr" Thompson in burying the body,
was still at large; Pike. 70 whom
Sack told the story of the burial. was
or his wsy here from Weed Ben Cor
don was in touch with the police. so
that he may he had a. any time. and
the lesser witnesses stood ready 70 an
swer the subpoenas Of the courts TO
testify when Thompson is brought to
face the charge OF murder.
In spite of the great mass of evidence
the police have to offer against Thomp-
son in support of the murder charge. II
is hardly probable that he will be ar
raigned before Sack is located and
returned If Sack can not be found
within reasonable time the trial prob
ably will be started any way. as the
police feel they can convince jury
that Thompson is guilty even without
tGORDoN FIRST WITNESS
The inquest was opened at 1890
O'Clock Yesterday morning in the as
semhly room at the coroner's office,
having been cntinued from the previ-
Gus dav Olaf Bennett tBen) Gordon
was the first witness. He stated that
he was employed to paint floors at the
hospital and met Sack. They became
friends One dav Sack took him to
the house at Eureka street and wanted
him to stay there at night with him.
Gordon refused. Later thew went to
the Barbarv coast and Sack, while
drinking. told Gordon that he was glad
they had not stayed at the house, as
there was a body buried there. Sack
related the entire story to Gordon.
Both were afraid of Thompson. Later
they met Pike and took him into their
confidence and Pike became the presid-
ing genius in a systematic scheme TO
blackmail Thompson.
They followed Thompson and Marie
Messerschmidt to Highland springs.
where the doctor and nurse had gone
following the burying of the body.
Sack stayed at Pieta, while Gordon
and Pike crossed the mountain TO the
springs. Pike approached Thompson at
the springs and told him they wanted
money or they would peach" on him.
Messerschmidt back TO Pieto at Thont
sons expense. Describing the confer
ence there over the money Gordon
said:
Pike and the doctor took walk
down the track. while I waited at the
hotel I was afraid to go, as I feared
the doctor would kill me While they
were down the track talking, Willie
Sack peeked around the corner OF the
station house and asked how we were
getting along. He was afraid to let
the doctor see him. We took the train
to San Francisco, but Sack got on the
front of the train. as he felt that the
doctor would kill him If he saw him. ="
80 ExToRTED
Gordon told of several conferences
with Thompson in a Fillmore street
saloon at which he. Sack and Pike
were present The total extorted from
the doctor was $50. OF which Pike kept
$40 and divided the other $40 between
Gordon and Sack. The three boys then
left the city and after wandering about
in the northern part OF the state they
separated. Gordon went to Portland.
returned TO San Francisco. went back
TO Weed. where he worked in a lumber
| mill. continued on to Portland and then
came back to San Francisco. He ar
rived here September 49, He saw
him for distributing advertising cards.
He gave me 81" said Gordon, "and
then he told me TO get out of town or
he would rip me right open with lead.
l told him the kid had told me all about
Eva Swan and Id be likely TO fool him.
I reported the matter to the police the
next day
PARKER TESTIFIEs
Paul Parker was the next witness.
When asked to tell all that he knew of
the case Parker repeated practically the
story he told the district attorney,
which was published in The Call Tues
day morning. He stated that he had
| absolutely nothing to do with respect to
the girls condition and reiterated that
he had not sent her to Doctor" Thomp-
son. Coroner Walsh then took a hand
in the questioning of the witness
Why were you so interested in Miss
SWAMI" asked the coroner
Because I was friend of hers" an
swered Parker.
When she sent for you. as you
claim, TO come TO the hospital and YOU
saw her condition why did you not
report the matter to Mrs. Ware?"
queried Walsh
Because if the girl got well and
came back TO the house she would
have been queered with Mrs. Ware and
every one else who had been her
friend" answered the witness
Following the lines laid down in the
anonymous letter the coroner asked:
did you ever have any conversation
with any other doctor at any time
about Miss Swans condition and ask
= - Eel L.