Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-02-12
HEARING TO BE TOMORROW
Alleged Attempt to Influence Wit
ness With Money.
PAYMENT FOR AN AFFIDAVIT
Dugan Gives Bond for His Appear
ance in Court-Declares His
Innocence.


John H. Walter. real estate dealer. in the
day by Detectives Cornwell and Evans
In connection with charge of attempt
to bride q witness in a civil action.
Dugan was arrested on the charge of
bribery in the afternoon at the house of
Ferdinand Hopp. 1246 9Th street south
west, who is said to be the chief witness
in a suit for malicious prosecution brought
by James Hudson against I. H. Pickford.
At the time of his arrest Dugan protested
that he was innocent of Intentional wrong
doing. He had been employed to get an
affidavit from Hopp. he said. without
knowing that Hopp had been summoned
to appear in court as a witness. and he
did not hesitate to give the name of the
man who is alleged to have furnished him
81 900 to use for the purpose.
Declared to Be Real Money.
Dugan's statement implicated Walter.
whose arrest followed last night. Wal
ter declined to make any statement
when he was put under arrest. but
sent for his attorney. Assistant Cor
poration Counsel Gus A. Schuldt, and
arranged to furnish bond for his ap-
pearance. Dugan furnished security
in the sum Of $4,000 for his own ap-
pearance shortly after his arrest
The arrest Of Dugan and Walter comes
as a sequel to the burning Of the Bryant
mansion at Four Corners. Montgomery
county, Md. September 13. 1897. L. II.
Pickford. John H. Walter and others
were accused of having DESTROYED the
building. Warrants issued for them In
Montgomery county, Md, were subse-
quently nolle pressed.
About the time the burning of the man
sion was under investigation, 1t was al
legged, Pickford circulated washington
publication, containing an alleged lIbelous
article, among the residents Of a portion
of Montgomery county. Maurice Talbot.
who was states attorney for MONTGOMERY
county at that time. sued Picaord and
obtained a verdict of $500.
Confirmed by Highest Court.
The suit against Pickford was brought
in this city. An appeal was taken from
the verdict given Talbot. and Attorneys
+. Edward Mitchell, w. M. Ellison and
Andrew Lipscomb. attorneys for Tai
bott. succeeded last week in having the
judgment affirmed by the Supreme Court
of the United States. The verdict. with
interest and costs, amounts to about
$4,000
Piekford was subsequently sued by
James Hudson for alleged malicious
prosecution. The charge was nolle
against Pickford followed. Attorney F..
Edward Mitchell, representing Hudson,
obtained a verdict for $4,000 for his client.
A new trial was ordered and the case
was set for next Tuesday.
1t was in order to have Hopp change
1t is alleged; that cash inducement was
offered him. Hopp reported to Attorney
Mitchell that money, had been offered
him. The attorney conferred with United
States Attorney Wilson. and the latter
had the. detectives at Hopps House yes
terday when Dugan called. Dugan gave
Hopp $500, retaining $780, and it was
just after the money had passed to Hopp
that the detectives entered the room and
surprised Dugan and a stenographer, the
latter having gone with Dugan to take
Hopp's statement.
Walter Implicated by Dugan.
Hopp was heard to ask Dugan If the
money he had was counterfeit.
mo. indeed the detectives say he an
swered. "It is real money"
Hopp was given the $500 after he had
refused an offer OF $500. Hopp, Dugan
duu lHc SlSHoSIdpHcI dCCOiupdulcu tic
detectives to headquarters. Dugan was
the only one held.
Attorney Malcolm Hufty, counsel for
Dugan, had his client explain the whole
transaction to the detectives and the re-
suit was that warrant charging brib-
cry was sworn out for Walter
1t is probable that United States At
torney Wilson will appear in the Police
Court tomorrow morning to prosecute the
case. The detectives are making a
further investigation of the alleged at
tempt at bribery.