The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, December 13, 1901, Page 1

v , estate of Mrs. Pleasant, so that a friend- SAN FRANCISCO, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1901. PRICE FIVE CENTS UNITED STATES NOW STRIVING TO PREVENT “FMATIITY” PLEASANT LAYS CLAIR TO REAL ESTATE AND JEWELS OWNED BY IRS. TERESA BELL Attorney Frank M. Stone and Humorist Sam Davis of Carson City Threaten to Bring* Sensational Suits Against Widow of Late — Capitalist and to Sue the Donohoe-Kelly Banking Company - rlier patts T & 7 & %7 TABE AMMY"” PLEASANT, or Mary E. Pleasant, as she is legally | known, is once more to be dragged into the light of day in conpection with the estate of the late Thomas Bell Attorney Frank M. Stone of this city end Sem Davis, the Carson City humor- ist, are threatening all kinds of law suits &gainst the estate of Thomas Bell and the Donohoe-Kelly Banking Company on behalf of the aged colored woman who has been in the public eye for these maay years past. Lawyers, as a rule, do not reveal their plans around newspaper offices, but Stone and Davis were busily engaged yes- terday im telling “exclusive” stories to representatives of the morning newspa- pers as to the suits they would bring for Mrs. Pleasant to recover property worth more than $300,00. The Call received an “exclusive” story at the same time the other newspapers did. While the lawyer and the humorist were engaged vyesterday in drawing up some legal papers asking Judge Troutt to re- move George R. Eaton as assignee of the 1y assignee might file the threatened suits in law, statements were made by Stone that the papers would show that a promi- nent lawyer and politician in this city | would be acused of stealing diamonds be- longing to Mrs. Pleasant valued at more than $100,000. The amount of mystery that surround- ed the work of the lawyer and humorist was denser than the heavy fog that hung over the bay a few days ago. They would give all kinds of hints as to what they intended to do, but when asked for ex- planations became silent. Desire a Friendly Assignee. The petition filed yesterday by Stone for the removal of Eaton as assignee of Mre. Pleasant's estate was made return- able next Monday by Judge Troutt. It is not thought, however, that Baton will be removed from his position on the mers allegations contained in the petition. asZ Proro <+ e 2 | > — T /7 ST rERE ~F, COLORED WOMAN WHO SEEKS TO OBTAIN PROPERTY VALUED AT $500,000, AND THOMAS BELL'S WIDOW, WHO MAY BE MADE DE- FENDANT IN THE ACTION THAT IS THREATENED. 3 e Sam Davis came down from Carson City some time ago and has held many con- sultations with Attorney Stone and “Mammy” Pleasant. The result of the “councils of war” is that the aged negress claims, through Davis and Stone, that she owns all the property in this city, Sonoma County and Oakland which stands recorded in the name of Mrs. Teresa Bell, the widow of Thomas Bell, who for many years employed “Mammy' Pleasant as housekeeper. The business relations existing between “Mammy” Pleasant and Mr. and Mrs. Bell are well known in this community. Mrs. Bell allowed her colored house- kefper to attend to all her affairs, and in this way large sums of money passed through the hands of Mrs. Pleasant. Stone exhibited a lot of old checks yesterday, which he says will go to prove that “Mammy” Pleasant had for years purchased real estate and jewels and that she was very wealthy long before she be- came the servant of Mr. and Mrs. Bell. It is well known that Thomas Bell gave his wife very valuable diamonds, and some years ago, when in the throes of litigation, Mrs. Bell had the jewels de- posited with the Donohoe-Kelly Banking Company in the name of Mrs. Pleasant. On an order signed by Mrs. Pleasant the jewels were delivered to Mrs. Bell by the bank. “Mammy” Pleasant did not make any statement yesterday that these Jjewels 1 AL LD ever were her personal property. The presumptuous claim was made by Stone and Davis, and it i3 not likely that these worthies will ever come into court to substantiate the assertion that a promi- rent lawyer and politician stole the gems from the bank. Those who know the characteristics of “Mammy" Pleasant readily realize that the latesf move she is making, with the ald of Stone and Davis, sayors of the impenetrable mystery that surrounded | the “house of mystery,” which “Mammy”* is claiming. Mrs. Bell Ridicules Claims. When Mrs. Teresa Bell was seen last evening and told of the claims made on “Mammy” Pleasant’'s behalf by Stone | and Davis she said: I dor't think that “‘Mammy” Pleasant will ever dare to come into court and swear to such claims. If she does I will prove that every dollar she has had In the past thirty years she recelved from Mr. Bell and myself. - She never had a dollar to her name before she enterel my employ. 1t is really amusing to hear of such absurd claims as these men are making for ‘Mam- my” Pleasant. But I really have not the time to waste on such fairy tales. Attorney Blakeman, who represents the interests of Mrs. Bell, said last night: I don't believe that any such suits will ever be fled for Mrs. Pleasant. I don't care to dis- Continued on Page Two. OFFERS IT5 600D OFFIGES T0 RERUBLICS Chile Ready to Accept, but Argentina Re- fuses Intervention. Representatives of Both Na- tions Profess to Be in Hopeful Mood. Nevertheless the Santiago Govern- ment Fears a Conflict, and Seeks to Buy Warships in This Country. / Special Dispatch to The Call. 1406 G STREET, CALL BUREAU, N. W., WASHINGTON, Dec: 12.—Chile has) formally expressed to the United States her willingness that this Government should vse its good offices to maintain peace in South America. Secretary Hay has cabled Minister Lord at Buenos Ayres, directing him to ac- quaint the Argentine Government with Chile's attitude and to say that under the policy uniformly pursued by the United States, it never tenders an offer of medi- ation unless assured in advance that it will be accepted. There is authority for the statement that Argentine will decline to permit the intervention of the United States. This briefly is the diplomatic situation so {ar as the United States is concerned. As to the condition of affairs at this moment between Argentine and Chile Senor Garcia Merou, the Argentine Minis- ter here, has received this dispatch from the Minister for Foreign Affairs at Buenos Ayres: Argentine Is Hopeful. “.“At the present moment there is no reason for alarm. Argeniine hopes that the Government of Chile will accept the just claims made by the Argentine re- public in the matter of the construction by Chile of roads in territory submittea to arbitration.- Argentine thinks that the actual spirit of Chile is as it ought to be, friendly and conciliatory.” Whether peace shall be preserved or war declared will depend upon a confer- ence which wiil be held to-morrow in Santiago by the Chilean Minister for For- eign Affairs and the Argentine Minister. The latter has been fully advised of the attitutde of Argentine. She proposes to obtain from Chile a full explanation and strong assurances that the construction of roads shall not continue, or it is said she will withdraw her Minister. This would be a rupture of diplomatic rela- tions and would greatly lessen the chances of an amicable settlement. Merou insists that Argentine. is adopted, but he is confident that there will be an amicable outcome. Infante, Chilean Charge d'Affaires, like- wise believes that the peace of South America will not be broken, and he re- gards Chile’s announcement that she will willingly accept the good offices of the United States as a complete refutation of the charge that Chile is endeavoring to provoke war and is acting aggressively toward her neighbor. Efforts to Preserve Peace. Every effort consistent with American dignity will be made by Secretary Hay to preserve the peace. It was in accordance with instructions made to him that Minis- ter Wilson approached Chile, and it was in response to this suggestion that the Chilean Government indicated a willing- ness to accept the good offices of the United States. Argentine has not replied to the Inti- mation ‘made through Minister Lord that this Government is prepared to mediate 1 both parties to the dispute ask it. It will be something of a surprise to the administration to learn that Argentine 1s not disposed to permit the intervention of this or any other country. Argentine holds that the dispute between herself and Chile is easy of adjustment if ap- proached in a proper spirit, and she sees no reason for foreign intervention. Chile is absolutely without a friend in South America, while Bolivia and Peru are pre- pared to lend military and Uruguay and Paraguay thelr moral support to Argen- 0 Chile Seeking Warships. Although she is reported to be making the effort, Chile will not be allowed to purchase American warships’' now in the possession of the Government or under construction at private shipyards. Information reached the Navy Depart- ment to-day Indicating that Chile was endeavoring to increase her fleet by se- curing warships in this country. No pro- posal has been made to Secretary Long by the Chilean Government or any Chi- lean agent. If it were, it would be re- jected. The United States has no inten- tion of selling any of its vessels or of aiding one South American republic in preparing for a conflict with another. It was pointed out to-night that if this Gov- ernment were to sell a warship to Chile or were to even permit a contractor who is building warships for the United States to dispose of vessels to the Santiago Gov- ernment, Argentine would draw the nat- ural inference that the ted States was supporting her enemy. is would be an unfortunate impression to create, and one which would seriously affect the future fully | justified in observing the attitude she has | THREATENED HOSTILITIES IN SOUTH AMERICA e CASHIER FLEISHMAN SPEEDS ON A TRAIN FROM' EL PASO TO A SEAPORT CITY OF MEXICO Los Ange'es Acquaintance of the Absconder Meets Him South of the Line and Texas Broksrs Identify His Photograph as That of the Person to Whom They Had Sold a Railroad Ticket — L PASO, Texas, Dec. 12—t is now certain that H. J. Fleishman, the absconding Los Angeles bank cashier, passed through this city | and took the southbound Mexican | Central train for the coast. Conclusive | evidence of this fact was furnished to- day by David M. Shanks, an old friend of | Fleishman. Shanks stated to the police | authorities that he mlet the absconder at | one of the small stations. south of this | city, shook hands with him and spoke to him for a brief time. 1 Shanks is a prominent citizen of Los Angeles. He has known the cashier for years and the two have had many busi- ness dealings with each other. The meet- ing was purely accidental and Fleishman upon seeing Shanks made a pretense of not recognizing him, but upon the latter's coming to him with hand outstretched the defaulting bank official grasped the prof- fered hand and chatted with his ac- quaintance until the northbound . train pulled out. No Mention of Crime. Shanks was in total ignorance that Flelshman had gotten away with the enormous sum from the Farmers’ and Mérchants' Bank and no reference what.- ever was made to the subject. While the two trains were waiting the time was spent in conversation from which Shanks gleaned that everything was not as it should be, and so stated upon joining his wife in the Puliman. His susplcions belng aroused, the first thing he did upon reaching El Paso was to secure a copy of the Los Angeles papers and for the first time he learncd that Fleishman had absconded and that he was being sought by authorities all over the United States. ‘“Yes,” sald Shanks to-day, I saw Fleishman no later than day before yesterday. There is no question as to my being mistaken, as I have known the cashier for many years and we were on intimate terms. I hap- pened to meet him because of a small wreck below Torreon, where the two trains were delayed at a way station. I was very much surprised to see him ir Mexico. At first he did not wish to recog- nize me and attempted to overlook me en- i = s = - ACQUAINTANCE OF THE FOR-' | | MER CASHIER OF FARMERS' AND MERCHANTS' BANK. e * tirely, but when I approached and held out my hand and spoke he responded. Says He Is Tired. “I asked what he was doing in Mexico and he replied he was tired out and broken down and was simply taking a vacation. He further said that he was going to Guadalajara, where he would join some friends in the mining business and perhaps be absent from California for quite a while. He did not seem’ to be in the least disconcerted, although I sus- pected that there was something wrons. “One thing that led me to believe that everything was not right was on account of one remark he made. When we shook hands upon parting he remarked: “¢If you ste any of my friends in Call- fornia, don't say that you saw me.’ “He was well dressed, but evidently had fnot had a shave for a number of days, as his beard was quite long. As soon as I could get one, I bought a Los Angeles paper and then for the first time found out the truth of the situation.” Abe and Bob Silberberg, ticket brokers — | and diamond merchants, both fully iden- tified Fleishman's picture to-day as that of the man who purchased a lot of Mex- ican money and a railway ticket from them Sunday morning. Robert Silber- berg waited on the customer. | When he came’in Fleishman asked to | be given Mexican money for $400 in United | States currency. He did not ask the price | of silver nor dicker over the trade at all, but seemed anxious to arrange for his | trip into Mexico with as little loss of E time as possible. He told Silberberg that | he was going to the seaport town of Maz- | atlan and asked the- best route to be | taken. It was inferred that he intended to embark on a steamer at Mazatlan for a South American port. “I told him,” sald Siiberbers, “to go to Guadalajara and thence to Tepec, from which place he could go overland to Maz- atlan. I suggested to him that I could sell him a scalper’s ticket to Guadalajara in the name of W. T. Meyers. He seemed pleased at the idea that he could travel under an assumed name and bought the ticket witheut hesitation. Twenty min- utes later he must have taken the south- bound Mexican Central train.” FRIENDS ARE RELIEVED. News of the Bank Cashier’s Where- abouts Ends Their Annoyances. LOS ANGELES, Dec. 12.—Definite in- formation of Flelshman's whereabouts, received from El Paso, has rather dis- couraged those detectives who Insisted that the absconder was still in hiding in this city. But it has also brought relief to certain of Fleishman's friends, who have been subjected to no end of annoy- ance by having their apartments searched at the most inopportune hours by detee- tives in the hope of finding the cashier hidlen away. Among these is Mrs. Cunningham, the “peauty doctor,” who, despite her re- peated assertions that she knew nothing whatever of Flelshman’s movements since last Friday. has been called upon many times to tell of her acquaintance with him. Mrs. Cunningham admits that she knew Fleishman, but she says she did not know him any better than she did other gentlemen. @it s a s aa s standing of the United States in South American affairs. Should it develop that a contractor who is constructing Ameri- can war vessels is negotiating with Chile for the sale of ships he has under con- struction, the United States will undoubt- edly obtain an injunction from a court having jurisdiction and thus prevent the 21 An Alliance With Colombia. COLON, Dec. 12.—General Foliaco, a Co- lomblan Government officer, says that ac-* cording to the latest news he has recetved Chile and Colombia have signed a treaty of alllance. VALPARAISO, Chile, Dec. 12.—The first symptom at the present juncture of a possible awakening of warlike excitement ameng the Chilean public is the announce- ment that a mass meeting of working people is to be held at Santiago Decem- ber 15 to express approval of the action of the Government in dealing with the Argentine question. Even this, apparent- 1y, is merely an offset to another meeting, promoted by the advocates of peace at any price. The buying of ships to takas the place of vessels of questionable effl- clency, the mobilization of the fleet for maneuvers and the strengthening of re- lations with friendly neighbors, Colombia and Ecuador, are not regarded here as signs of agsressive intentions on Chile's part, but only as natural precautions evoked by the unexpectedly threatening demeanor of Argentine.