The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, December 6, 1900, Page 1

v S his Paper not § w taken from (8] okt ' \J - the Library.*** VYOLUME LXXXIX—NO. 6. SAN FRANCISCO, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1900. PRICE FIVE CENTS. AINISTER 5 KILLED IN A DUEL Fatal Affray Between Pastor Wohl and ) wer. S. Davis Stokes, Enraged by Use of a Cartoon, Starts the Fioht. RESENTS SLURS ON DANCERS | Threats to Thrash the Sensational | Pulpit Orator Culminates in a Contest Men in Which Both Are Victims. The Call. 5.—As the connection a., Dec fle of dancing John H. Presbyterian by S. Rev to-day old Virginia er. In the serjously wounded. Rev. Mr. Wohl t in soclety circles, being taken against the picted young people go- s from the ballroom this event Wohl and A few a4 W garb he friends. okes t isterial would rough thrashing. Wohl t Btokes need mot be deterred days were | that account. Friends interfered and a supposed rec ation followed. This afte 'kes, while talking to a fr se in which was ordered by him to leave. | Btokes refused to cemply with the demand P ce wordy dispute ensued, Wohl sianding on his porch and Stokes on the walk | s the exclamation “You r rringer, | e o backed slowly ancing and when | ed, the bullet plerc- reeled and feil, but so he v a revolver. At this 1 fired, and almost at ned the fire, by friends shooting and | s office, where his | He was then ers and immediately self-defense. s dressed sur- He alleges was found Mrs. thought she was 1 been shot, but an hat she had only this evening Mr. ing con- 1 Mrs. of excite- ‘ any was rec d as one of and eloguent of this £ Preshyter minister: M niversity p URGES LEGISLATION TO FORBID POLYGAMY Resolutions Adopted at the Women’s Council Asking for Constitu- tional Amendment. NEW YORK, Dec. 5.—To further the ation for the adoption of an amend- b to the Federal constitution forbid- ding polygamy a meeting was held to-day er the auspices of the Interdenomi- national Council of Women of Christian | and Patriotic Service. The meeting was called to order by Mrs. John 8. Bussing, no introduced Darwin R. James as chairman for the occasion. Mr. James re- | red to the agitation for the exclusion Brigham H. Roberts from Congress. | e predicted like success for the present movement if the women of the country ke it up. Mr. James read a letter from mer Senator Edmunds to Mrs. James, ressing his approval of the agitation | a constitutional amendment | s. Vermilye read resolutions which | re adopted unanimously. They cited ¢ spread of polygamy in the States bor- ring on Utrh and petitioned Congress enact bindirg laws against the practice. —_——— ORDERED TO INVESTIGATE IMPRISONMENT OF MAY Sccretary Hay Cables Instructions to+ Minister Hunter in Guatemala. SHINGTON, Dec. b5—Instrictions been cabled to Minister Hunter in atemala to investigate the reported im- nment of R. H. May, an American n, and if the facts warrant it to de—, i [ nd his instant release. As & result of efforts of this Government Guatemala »d some months ago to arbitrate on May's claim for violation of contract. was awarded $141,000 in gold. The at- tion of Secretary Hay was called to a port published this morning that May been cast into prison and instructions re cabled to Minister Hunter. "H ANERCH | come to the American | leaders would only DIPLOMACY TRIUMPRS It Averfiolonged Strife Regarding China. Ministers at Peking Adopt Amended Demands on the Empire. SECRETARY HAY'S GOOD WORK Conger Promptly Instructed to fign the Agreement and Other Infer- ested Powers Are Expected to Act Likewise. —_— Special Dispatch to The Call. CALL BURBAU, 1406 G STREET, N. W., WASHINGTO Dec. 65.—American | diplomacy has averted prolonged strifs over China, and, barring accidents, has | insured the integrity of the empire through the adoption by the Ministers at Peking yesterday of the amended de- mands as to punishment and Indemnity, which it was knewn the Chinese Govern- ment would accept. Upon receipt of the news of this satisfactory conclusion of the negotiations, Sccretary Hay cabled Minister Conger instructions to sign the agreement. In the opinion of officials and plomats here, this result marks the most important step yet taken toward a peaceful solution. The information which reached here conveyed the idea that if the powers had approved the original de- mands of the Ministers, contemplating the execution of eleven officlals and Princes and an exorbitant indemnity, Li Hung Chang and Prince Ching would immedi- ately have rejected them. In view of the moderation in the amended demands, it is_known that they will be accepted by | not only the Chinese envoys, but also the throne. The terms as finally formulated still in- | clude several features not entirely wel- | Government, as, for instance, demands for the razing of the Taku forts, interdiction of importa- tion of arms and the establishment of permanent guards between Peking and the sea. Yet the questions of punishmeat and indemnity are really the vital ones. As finally adopted by the Ministers, the demands upon China are that she shall impose the severest possible punishment the Chinese Government can inflict and pay a reasonable indemnity to the powers for the killing of their citizens, damage to their property and expenses incurrcd in the dispatch of relief expeditions. Germany insisted from the outset of the | trouble that the execution of the Boxer Ive her wounded honor, and the Anglo-German agreement | caused Great Britain to support the same | view of the vindictiveness of Germany and of the Ministers who had | the siege, terms were drafted | the execution of the authors of | and the payment of an indemnity | that it was plain it could never ted. \ese demands were very unsatisfactory to the Washington authorities. Fortunate- | ly at this moment Japan indicated that | favored moderation ed by | Japan, Russia and France, tbe President | 24 Secretary Hay seized the opportumty | » bring about an exchange of views among the powers. Russia suggested that | the demand regarding punishment should | call for the severest punishment short of | death that China could inflict; and with & slight modification this was adopted. Great Britain fell into line and finally Germany's assent was obtained. In diplomatic circles here the agree- ment reached is regarded as the result of the keen diplomacy of Secretary Hay, and he is given the highest praise for his work. Other powers are expected to in- struct their representatives to sign the agreement, which will then be handed to the Chinese envoys. Negotiations regard- ing details will promptly follow. It will be within the power of the allied nations even after acceptance of the demands by the Chinese to insist upon more severe | punishment than she administers in case | it should be found that she is not inflict- ing punishments as severe as she can safely do. As a result rgone ring she : RS DISCOVERY OF A REPUBLIC. NEW YORK,, Dec. 5.—A special to the Journal from St. Petersburg says: The Russian forces in Manchuria have discov- ered a hitherto unknown republic called Chapigou, in the upper valley of the river Sungary. It has existed nearly a hundred years, and was first ruled by three chosen elders, but now one chosen man is its ruler. Chapigou has courts, a system of taxes, industries and an army, all quite European. Its population is 10,000, Empress Frederick Very Il NEW YORK, Dec. 5.—A Journal special from London says: The Dowager Em- press Frederick of Germany is ill again. 1f her condition becomes more serious Queen Victoria may go to Kronberg to see her daughter, about whom she is very anxious. This is alleged to be the reason the Kaliser snubbed Kruger, to get him out of the country. The Prince of Wales will probably go tu see his @ister soon. Bulgarian Cabinet Resigns. SOFIA, Bulgaria, Dec. 5.—The Cabinet has resigned owing to Ministerial differ- of the founders of the corporation The | | organization was first known as the Western Development Company. —Later estimated. ences. PLANS £ A DIVISION OF WEALTH POPEE LS A Affairs of the Pa- cific Improvement Cogpgly. Stockholders’ Meeting to Discuss Topics of Liquidation. —_— CROCKER AND STANFORD STOCK Final Adjustment Will Probably Yield Five Million Dollars or More to the Stanford University. PR A Steps for disposing of the stocks, bonds, franchises, townsites, real estate, hotels, coal mines, railroads and other proper- fes of the Pacific Improvement Company will be gradually taken. The affairs of the corporation will be closed up by a process of liquidation. Leland Stanford, Charles Crocker, C. P. | Huntington and Mark Hopkins each | owned one-fourth, or twenty-five thou- | sand shares of the company’s stock, and | the ownership now resides in the estates on the name was changed to that of Con- tract and Finance Company. Late in | the “seventies” a readjustment took place | and the name Pacific Improvement Com- pany was given to the institution. | The Speyers in their recent purchase of the Crocker, Searles and Stanford hold- ings of Central and Southern Pacific | stock did not acquire any Interest in the | Pacific Improvement Company. | The value of the property belonging to | the Pacific Improvement Company is not | known and can hardly be approximately | In fact an estimate must be in the nature of a conjecture. A prolonged era of general prosperity may add largely to the value of some of the properties and invite purchasers to offer sums far be- | yond present expectation. It is taken Into account also that events may occur that wili cause a depression, but noshing is likely to occur that wilil compel the pres- ent owners to sell at a sacrifice. Th can afford to wait until the property can be sold for what it is worth. An estimate of $20,000,000 as the value of the property of the company may not be wide of the true mark, but it would not be surprising if the sum of $30,000,000 was realized. The Stanford University will be | enriched by whatever sum is derived from Mre. Stanford’s one-fourth interest. There was a meeting of the stockholders of the company in this city day before | yesterday. The Crocker and Stanford in- | terests were represented. H. E. Hunting- ton would have attended if pressing busi- ness affairs in another field had not calléd him East before the meeting took place. The representatives of the company in New York were communicated with by wire. There was ample exchange of views regarding future policy. No diviston of sentiment was created. All the parties in iInterest acquiesced In the suggestion that a course of gradual liquidation be pursued. There are no premonitions of internal strife. Indications are that the affairs of the institution will be finally ad- justed and closed up without factional quarrels or resort to hostile litigation. All parties concerned agreed that it would not be prudent or profitable to re- store the tavern at Castle Crag which was recently destroyed by fire. The South- ern Pacific Company can do as it pleases in regard to the bullding of a new hotel, but the “P. 1.” Company is not going to take on any further responsibilities in the hotel line. . CONVICTS ESCAPE FROM THE TRANSPORT GRANT NEW YORK, Dec. 6.—A World special from Hongkong says: Eight desperate convicts who were being taken from Ma- nila to Ban Francisco escaped last night from the United States army transport Grant, which touched here to get the body of Paymaster Barber and convey it home to America. The convicts were destined to prisons in the United States. They got loose somehow, snatched life belts and jumped into the sea. After floating about for awhile they were picked up by a steam launch and brought to this ecity. Among them was a soldler who had de- serted from the American army and had joined the Insurgent Filipinos, but had been captured. Three of the party have been found and taken back aboard the transport Grant in irons. FUNSTON’S MEN ARE FIGHTING INSURGENTS MANILA, Dec. 5.—A dispatch has been received from General Funston giving an account of a two hours’ fight in the woods of Santo Domingo between an American force and 300 rebels commanded by Badico. The American force, consist- ing of thirty natlve scouts, commanded by Lieutenant Jolnigan, attacked the rebels, who retreated, leaving on the fleld sixteen killed, including the rebel leader Aguilar and an American negro. It was at first thought the latter was a man named Fagin, a deserter from the Twenty-fourth Infantry, but this turned out to be a mistake. Not one of Joini- gan's men was wounded. MEN OF HIGH PUBLIC AND SOCIAL STANDING MADE OBJECTS OF SERIOUS ACCUSATION BEFORE SUPERIOR COURT AT SANTA CRUZ Ex-Lieutenant Governor Jeter Said to Have Conspired With His Law Partner, a Real Estate Man and an ex-Judge, to Obtain by Fraud the Property of a Big Lumber Company to Offset the Alleged Losses of His Own Ban ANTA CRUZ,) Dec. 5—One of the greatest legal sensations in the State was sprung to-day upon the people of this city when a motion was made to file a supplemental complaint in the suit of L. F. Grover against the Bank of Santa Cruz County, the Santa Cruz Bank of BSavings and Loan and J. H. Logan, H. E. Makinney, J. G. Tanner and J. F. Forgues, directors of the corporation of Grover & Co. This suit involves some of the most startling allegations’ ever made In California against men high in public and profes- sional life. ‘William T. Jeter, ex-Lieutenant Gov- ernor of the State and president of the Bank of Santa Cruz County, is accused of having entered into a conspiracy with an ex-Superlor Judge of this county, with his own legal partner, who Is one of the most prominent attorneys of this county, and with a leading real estate agent to obtain the entire property, real and per- sonal, of a powerful corporation by fraud, deception and systematic dishonesty, and all this was to be done that bad invest- ments and losses alleged to have been sustained by the Bank of Santa Cruz County, of which ex-Lieutenant Governor Jeter is president, might be made good and the credit of the bank saved. Ex-Lieutenant Governor Jeter is charged with having obtained the stock of Grover & Co., of placing Into the cor- poration a majority of dummy directors and of forcing them to sell, transfer, mortgage and dispose of the property of the corporation for the benefit of the bank. As president of the bank Jeter is accused of having used his own part- ner, who is a director of Grover & Co., as an attorney for the bank in a suit insti- Special Dispatch to The Call. In this complaint Grover was particu- lar to characterize the individual defend- ants. He alluded to the fact that H. E. Makinney is the legal partner of Willlam T. Jeter, and alleged that Makinney had acted not only for the bank but for Gro- ver & Co., and had been paid for both services out of the property which should have been credited to Grover & Co. in the Bank of Santa Cruz County. Grover charged further that J. F. Forgues, a real estate dealer, another of the men who was one of the defendants, was a tool of Jeter, and was made by him one of the directors of Grover & Co. In‘order that the bank of Santa Cruz County, through Forgues, might learn every particular of the real estate possessions of the lumber firm and secure this property for the barks at the expense of the lumber peo- ple. In this part of his complaint L. F. Gro- ver makes perhaps his most serious alle- gation. He declares that the Bank of Santa Cruz County accepted from D. W. Grover and Hannah F. Grover 1100 shares of the stock of Grover & Co. In satisfac- tion of an indebtedness of $40,000. Grover charges that when the bank officials, of whom ex-Lieutenant Governor Jeter Is president, accepted this stock in satisfac- tion of an indebtedness of $40.000 they ac- epted what they knew to be the worth- less stock of an Insolvent corporation. Accuses Logan of Being a Tool. In this Grover asserts, the bank obtained control of the corporation of Grover & Co., appointing J. H. Logan, H. E. Makinney, J. G. Tanner and J. F. Forgues majority directors. Logan Is an ex-Superfor Judge of Santa Cruz County way, BANK of JAMIA CRUF COUNTY + -+ and one of the most prominent and repu-, k. SAMTACRUR COURT MOUIE —— - — ONE OF THE BANKS AND SOME OF THE PEOPLE THAT FIGURE IN L. F. i GROVER’S SENSATIONAL SUIT ON FILE IN THE SANTA CRUZ COURT- HOUSE. o * tuted against the corporation of which + his partner was a director. Ex-Lieuten- ant Governor Jeter Is charged, as presi- dent of the bank, with having, without or- der, authority or proper check, compelled Grover & Co. to pay the expenses of the suits instituted against themselves. Serious as are these allegations, they are not all in the remarkable indictment which is now exciting the people of this city. As president of the bank ex-Lieu- tenant Governor Jeter is accused of hav- ing released Jndebtedness to the bank amounting to $40,000 for 1100 shares of worthless stock in an Insolvent corpora- tion. He is charged with having com- pelled his legal partner, H. E. Makinney, to become a director of Grover & Co. and to accept fees from the Bank of Santa Cruz County to prosecute a sult against the alleged insolvent corporation. This suit has dragged a reasonably long course without exciting, suspicion until to-day, when the remarkable supplemental com- plaint was placed before the court and the serlous nature pf the charges became known. ) The standing of the Bank of Santa Cruz County and of the Santa Cruz Bank of Savings and Loan, and the prominence of the men who have been made defendants make the case one of exceptional interes Much testimony has been taken and the very supplemental complaint which was presented to-day is alleged to be based upon testimony which is already said to have been introduced into the case. Early in the year L. F. Grover, a son of the principal owner of the corporation of Grover & Co., instituted a sult against both banks and the directors of the cor- poration of Grover & Co., which was one of the most influential lumber firms in the State. % Says Directors Were Dummies. In this sult L. F. Grover alleged that none of the four directors whom he has made defendants was a bona fide owner of stock in the company. Grover declares that these men had the stock simply in their names, and that it was the prop- erty of the defendant banks. .He declares that all of the directors were simply crea- tures of thé banks—dummies employed by Willlam T. Jeter to carry out the unfair, unjust, iniquitous schemes of the banks and to ruin Grover & Co. and secure its property. table attorneys here, yet in this complaint he is accused of having acted as the sub- servient tool of ex-Lleutenant Governor Jeter; of having permitted the funds of which he was treasurer to be fraudulently expended In the Interest of the two de- fendant banks, and of having signed him- self president of Grover & Co. in order to carry out the alleged schemes of the bank. Having thus attempted to establish an intimate connection between the defendant banks and the various individuals, whom he accuses with Grover & Co., the plain- tiff makes a serfes of the most serious al- legations reflecting upon the Integrity and the character of every man involved. Grover In his complaint declares that the Bank of Santa Cruz County and the Santa Cruz Bank of Savings and Loan, through the agency of Willlam T. Jeter, forced Grover & Co, to lease its mills and its mill sites to other people, the alleged dummy directors doing as Jeter commanded them. Grover alleges that the banks forced the directors of the company to pass whatever resolutions these banks commanded, and through these resolutions to lease, sell, transfer, mortgage and otherwise dispose of the company's property for the sole benefit of the banks, which by thelr al- leged bad Investments had placed them- selves in jeopardy. As a result of these operations by the alleged dummy direct- ors, Grover aserts that the banks have now In their possession 1400 acres of land obtained fraudulently from the company; that through the dummy directors the banks have recelved money, real and per- sonal property belonging to Grover & Co., and have deliberately and fraudulently refused to credit it to the lumber firm. Jeter Dominated Directors. Grover charges that at the direction of these dummy directors, who were put Into the corporation of Grover & Co. as direct- ors by Jeter, the books of the company have been corruptly, Improperly and dis- honestly kept in order that the fraudulent transfer of property should not be discov- ered. Not only this, but Grover claims that Willlam T. Jeter was present at the meetings of the lumber company and in- fluenced, directed and dominated the dum- my directors to sult his wishes. In the supplemental complaint, motion to file which was made to-day to the court and granted, even more serious allega- tions are made and are supported by the assertion that the charges are based upon testimony which has actually been pre- sented in the case. Grover declares that Bank have deliberately taken money Wwhich was on deposit by Grover & Co. in the bank and pald it out without check, order or authority to satisfy the cost of attachment proceedings which the bank levied upon the property of the company. The plaintiff declares that the Santa Cruz Bank of Savings and Loan began foreclosure proceedings on the mortgage and charged the costs of the same to Grover & Co. He asserts that the Farm- ers’ Unlon was instigated by the bank of- ficlals to attacn property of the lumber company, and then, through the acqui- escence of ex-Superfor Judge J. H. Logan, the cost of this sult, an altogether outside affalr, was charged to the account of Grover & Co. Not only this, but Grover complains in his sworn document that the bank pald for the servicés of an attorney for the lumber company, charged this ex- pense to Grover & Co. and knew that the lumber firm had never employed the man nor authorized any payment to him, Charge Against McKinney. Ome of the most remarkable allegations in this supplemental complaint is that which i{s made against H. E Makinney, the law partner of Willlam T. Jeter. After Grover & Co. had become involved Makinney became one of the directors, but the plaintiff in these accounting proceed- ings charges that while Makinney was a director In the lumber corporation he be- came attorney for the Bank of S8anta Cruz County, of which Willam T. Jeter is president, and went to Salinas apd insti- tuted suit to foreciose certain property of the corporation of which he was a di- rector. Not only this, but Grover charges that the Bank of Santa Cruz County pald the traveling expenses of Makinney and vari- ous other costs of the’ proceedings. At various other times Grover declares that the defendant banks had pald out sums as high as $500 for many purposes in no way connected with the affairs of the lum- ber company and had charged them against the account of Grover & Co., and when this had been done ex-Judge Logan as secretary and treasurer of the lumber company had accepted the receipts as vouchers. Logan is also aécused of hav- ing signed checks, as president of the lumber company when he knew that he did not occupy the position. . In outline, these are the grave allega- tions which have glven to Santa Cruz County its most sensational suit. Vari- ous witnesses have been on the stand, but the sensation was not sprung until to-day when the supplemental com- the officials of the Santa Cruz County,, plaint made its appearance in the case. + The standing of the men who are accused, and the character and integrity of the de- fendant banks, make it absolutely certain that the contest will be an exceptionally bitter one. An attempt was made to-day to inter- view the attorneys for the plaintiff, but they positively declined to talk iIn refer- ence to the matter, declaring that the record would speak for itself. All of the defendants In the case have flled an an- swer in which specific denial is made to every allegation made by Grover, begin- ning with that one upon which all of I's charges, the alleged own by the banks of 1100 shares of stock in the corpor: of Grov & Co. OFENING FUNCTION AT THE WHITE HOUSE President and Mrs. McKinley Give a Dinner to th* Paris Com- missioners. WASHINGTON, Dee. 5.—The first for- mal soctal function of the season at the White House occurred to-night, when the President and Mrs. McKinley gave a din- ner to the Commissioners of the United States to the Paris Exposition and their ladies. The tat in the dining roam, which, with the east room and the and green parlors, had been appropriately decorated for the oe- casion. The Marine band furnished music. The and those Invited to meet them included the following was set state red, bi uests Mr. and Mrs. M. H. de Young, Mr. and Mrs. Potter Palmer, Mrs. Daniel Man- ning, James Allison, Mr. and Mrs. Wil- lam L. Elkins, Mr. and Mrs. Ogden H Fethers, Peter Jensen, Mr. and Mrs. Cal- vin Manning, Frankiin Murphy, Mr. an Mrs. Henry A. Parr! Henry M. Putney, Miss Putney, Mr. and Mrs. Alvin H. San- ders, Mr. and Mrs. Louis Stern, William €. Thompson, Mr. and Mrs. Willlam M. Thornton, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur E. Valols, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas F. Walsh, Senator Alllson, Senator and Mrs. Cullom, Senator and Mrs. McMillin, Senator Sewall, Sena- tor and Mrs. Thurston, Senator Depew, Miss Paulding, Miss Wilson, Mrs. Abner McKinley, Mrs. Dawes, Miss McKenna and Mrs. Rixey. —_——— BOER COMMANDS ARE REPORTED SURROUNDED Fierce Fighting in Progress for the Past Four Days East of Pretoria. LONDON, Dec. 5—A London news agency publishes a dispatch from Pre- toria saying that fighting has been going on for four days at Bronkhorstspruit, east of Pretorfa; that Commanders Vil- joen and Erasmus, with 2500 Boers, are now surrounded, and that eighty Boers have been killed. At the War Office this dispatch is char- acterized as belated information regard- Ing events covered in the® official dls- patches from Lord Kitchener, dated Bloemfontein, November 30, although the statement that the Boers were surrounde-l is not supported officially. The War Office has recefved the follow- ing from Lord Kitchener, dated Bloem- fonteln, December 5: “Genera. Knox re- engaged Dewet near Bethulle, on the Smithfleld road, yesterday. He drove the enemy from all their positions before dark, when they retreated northward. Colonel Pitcher assisted by a turning movement on Knox's left.” Lord Kitchen- er reports also several minor affafrs. COLOGNE, Dec. 5.—Mr. Kruger walked to-day In the rain from his hotel to the cathedral. He was cheered enthusiasti- cally by an assemblage of people who had long walted to see him. He will depart at 10 a. m. to-morrow on & spectal train, con- necting with the Dutch express at Zee- vonaar.