The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1915-05-14
But He Languishes In Jail As
ACcomplice Of Fair Opal
SmuggIer &.
Mrs. Francis Brought Fortune In
Hidden Stones From Aus
tralia: Trapped

|
steamer Ventura, arrested at San Fran.
cisco on charge of smuggling, has
bobbed up" in another interesting
case which wants him badly. He is
wanted to testify in a will case, which
involves about 100000. Nevertheless,
attorneys interested in his testimony at
the will trial are said to fear to furnish
bail for him because that might lead
to the accusation that his testimony
was purchased. Latest mail advices
from San Francisco are that Baker had
not been able. to obtain bondsmen.
Baker, who was arrested by Special
Treasury Agent w. II. Tidwell as an
accomplice Of Mrs. Catherine Francis
of Sydney, Australia, in smu Cling
$l8,5O0 worth of small gems and
$4,000 uncut opal, is the principal wit.
ness in an unusual win case that viii
be tried in the Superior Court at Los
Angeles. "a
Attorneys for the plaintiffs in the will
action were endeavoring to arrange
with the United States district attOr-
ney's Office for the presence of Baker
in court. He was then in the Alameda
county Jail in default of $4,000 bail
After his arrest and alleged confession
of his completely in the smuggling of
the gems, Baker was arraigned before
| United States Commissioner +. J. Krull.
Son Of Minister
| Baker is the son of minister who
went to the Samoan Islans more than
fifty years ago. The father settled on
an island, where he afterward became
known as king" Baker. During his
life he was presented with seal by
Bismarck, and became a warm personal
| friend of the late King Edward of En-,
| land.
Baker, who was born at Pago PagO,
fell heir. to his father's seal. While
making a transpacifc trip on the Ven
tura id May, 1914, he became acquaint,
ed with an elderly man named Peter
V. Garble of Alhambra. California, who
while returning from Sydney, died on
the Ventura on May IL, 1914.
After CARRIE died Baker, in his cap
aeity as purser, collected the personal
belongings of the man. Included among
them, it IL said, was a will. This dOcu-
ment, it is said, purported to have left
| to Mrs. Mabel Gardner, wife Of Ira o.
Gardner of Alhambra, approximately
$4,000 in cash, and distributed the re
mainder of the estate, about 800, 900,
among heirs in Boston, Massachusetts.
Mrs. Gardner is an adopted daughter of
Garbie.
VIII Disappears
II is said that Baker read this will in
the presence of Doctor Montgomery,
the ships surgeon; Capt. J. l.. Cowell,
now deceased, and two stewards. After
the personal effects of Garbie had been
inventOried, Baker wrapped them III a
bundle, which he sealed with wax, on
which he impressed the seal given his
father by Bismarck.
When the Ventura arrived at San
Francisco, Garbies body and all his
possessions were turned over to the
stepson, Gardner, so the attorneys for
the plaintiffs in the will contest declare.
The purpOrted will, it is asserted, has
never been fled for probate. Without
the evidence of a will, the assertion Is
made that Mrs. Gardner will inherit the
entire estate. Should it's existence be
proven, she will only receive her be
quest of 100000
1t is the Boston heirs who are stTiv
i'm to arrange so that Baker can be
taken to Los Angeles. Doctor Mont
gomery and one of the stewards said
to have been present when Baker read
the alleged Garbit will, are in San Fran
cisco.
big Ben" Causes Arrest
| Baker = arrest was brought about by
his endeaOr to return to Mrs. d. j
Francis of Sydney, the $4,000 uncut
opal, which, in the jewelry world, has
become known as big Benz because
of it's exceptional size and value.
When arrested, Mrs. Francis said she
smuggled the smaller gems. When ques
toned about Big Ben, which ap
peared upon her manifest but was miss
ing, the woman hlanhIy declared that
she probably inadvertently left it be
hind in Sydney.
Baker, ignorant Of the fact that Mrs.
Francis was under arrest, sent the opal
to Mrs. Francis room. At that moment
she was being questioned by Federal
officials. Bakers arrest followed.
Attorney Tidyell said that Baker had
confessed to him that while crossing the
Pacific Mrs. Francis a reed to pay him
twenty five dOlas if he would smuggle
the smaller gems and Big Ben ashore
for her, which, he SAYS, he did. The
I customs officials think that she invented
her story in order to protect Baker.
I Woman Alleged Smugg'er
2 Mrs. Francis was LODGED in the Ala
q media county Jail on the charge of
smuggling about 500, 900 worth of opals,
y sapphires and diamonds. She admits her
guilt and refuses to cable to her friends
for assistance in her Dredicament. Mrs.
r Francis is about thirty years old, of
e prepossessng appearance, and fashion,
| ABLY dressed.
r. Mrs. Francis was arrested at the Ho.
tel Stewart by Special A ent Tidwell.
BY the official = indulgence she was al
lowed to remain in her apartments dur
}. ing the night. Mrs. Sadie f. Adams of
n the customs force stayed with her.
j Big Opal Missing
t Tdwell and his assistants searched
+ throughout the jewelry stores of the
Q city for trace of remarkably LARGE
:. opal that Mrs. Francis is supposed ia
a have brought with her but which wah