The Sunday Oregonian. (Portland, Ore.) 1881-current, July 19, 1908, Page 9, Image 9

Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page. It is also available as plain text as well as XML.

    9
ARRESTED ON CHARGE OF LOOTING HAWTHORNE
ESTATE
3
HAMMOCKS, LAWN MOWERS, GARDEN HOSE, SPRINKLERS, ETC.
IN THE
BASKMKNT.
THE SUNDAY OREGOXTAX, PORTLAND. JULY 19, 190S.
WHITNEY L BOISE
IS UNDER ARREST
Accused of Looting Hawthorne
Estate Alleged Shortage
May Reach $200,000.
ACCUSED MAN GIVES BONDS
Investigation Under Way for Six
Months BoUe Given Chance to
Leave Portland, hut Refuses.
Wife Is One of the Heirs. .
(Continued from First rage.)
yesterday wan adopted by Mrs. Collins,
now secretary and treasurer of the
estate corporation. Mrs. Boise is vice
president of the concern, and Mrs
Hawthorne, president. Mr. Boise has
had no connection with the estate for
nearly a year since he was relieved as
lpal adviser. It was while acting in
that capacity and directing affairs for
the three women that tn misappro
priations are alleg-ed to have occurred.
Opposes SiMer-in-Law's Marriage.
Suspirion tbnt the affairs of the es
ttte were being: improperly handled
took definite form nearly a year ago,
when Mrs. Collins, then the widow of
J. Foster Beck, married her present
husband. It is learned that this match
was opposed bitterly by Mr. Boise, as
well as by Mrs. Boise and Mrs. Haw
thorne. This incident Is known to
have aroused considerable domestic
feeling.
An obvious inference may be drawn
from the fact yiat Mr. Boise's finan
cial dealings wore taken tinder Inves
1 1 prat Inn immediately after the wed
dlnsr. In a short time he was re
lieved of all connection with the es
tate, the corporation was reorganized,
and it was demanded of him that he
turn over his papers, which he did. An
expert accountant, George Black, was
then secured to expert these papers,
which were found In wretched condi
tion, and the irregularities were
wormed out.
Promiscb to Make Amends.
There have been many stormy private
interviews in the past. It is known that
Mr. Boise promised to make amends to
the best of his ability for any shortages
and attributed the lax affairs of the es
tate to his own carelessness. He re
fused, however, to entertain a proposition
to leave the city.
Mrs. Hawthorne and Mrs. Boise, al
though holders of a third each in the
SI. 000.000 Hawthorne estate, do not ap
pear in the complaints filed yesterday.
Whether they will appear in court cannot
he learned. It is known that Mrs. Boise
has stood by her husband throughout,
even offering to make reparation for the
deficiencies. Her attitude since the form
al filing of the criminal charges cannot
be stated.
Mrs. Collins went before Chief .Deputy
District Attorney Fitzgerald in the ca
pacity of an authorized officer of the es
tate, at 11:30 o'clock yesterday forenoon.
She was accompanied by her husband
and by Attorney James Gleason. The
nature of the charges against Boise was
explained in detail and five complaints
were drawn up, all alike, except in the
matter of date and amount. The form
follows:
Form of Complaints.
That the said Whitney L. Boise on April
H. l!K7. was the servant and employe of
the Hawthorne estate, a corporation then
and there duly orxantzed and existing un
der and by virtue of the laws of the Stp.te
of Oregon, unit being such servant and
employe there did come Into his posses
8lnn and under his care by virtue of euch
employment divers hank checks, the num
ber i j 1 more particular description of
which Is to thl informant unknown, and
divers gold and silver coins and currency,
bills and bank bills, lawful money of the
Vnited States of Amertna. of the. .value of
$tiHX of the personal property of the said
corporation; and so having the, said prop
erty m his possession and the same being
o under hU care, the said Whitney
Boise did then and there feloniously em
bezzle and fraudulently convert the same
to his own use." !
In a second complaint he is alleged to
Have stolen $t:wl2.75 on March li7; in
the third. $170: on March 21. IJtoT: in the
fourth complaint. $462.5 on February 14.
1W7. and in the fifth, $tx.S0, on July 14.
fudge Van Zaiite Issues Warrants.
An hour was occupied in the making out
nf the complaints and then Mr. and Mrs.
Collins and their lawyer went to the
Municipal Court where the necessary war
rants were sworn to before Judge Van
Zant. The warrants were delivered to
Captain of Police Moore who assigned Detective-
John Trice to the task of ar
. resting Boise.
In the meantime Mr. Boise had heard,
through a newspaper man, of the action
taken against hltn and he hurried at once
to the office of Mr. Fitzgerald to arrange
for ball. Hft said he ws at a loss to
understand the conduct of his sister-in-law
but declined to discuss the case on
the grounds that he 6jd not know what
it was all about.
The force at the prosecutor's office was
out to lunch. By a peculiar coincidence
the District Attorney's oftice to which
he went to surrender himself and ar
range bail was used by him as a per
sonal suite during the time when the em
bezzlements are alleged to have occurred.
Going to his present offices on the third
floor of the Chamber of Commerce build
ing he remained until Detective Price
called.
"I've got a warrant for your arrest.
Mr. Boise," the officer said, displaying
his star.
Accused Man Arranges Bonds.
"That so?" the accused, man inquired
hut without any sign of surprise. "Would
you mind waiting until I arrange about
my bail?' he asked and then telephoned
to Joseph M. Healy and E. A. Baldwin
who responded at once. Martin 1. Pipes
was called to look after the legal end
of the bond arrangement.
Mr. Boise and his bondsmen were accom
panied to the police station by the offi
cer. Here Captain Moore booked Boise.
Judge Van Zante was conducting court
upstairs but he left the bench in order
to swear the bondsmen who signed for
$10,000 each, or $4000 on each of the five
counts.
If Mr. Boise was in the least worried
while in custody at the station, he gave no
sign of it, talking pleasantly with Mr.
Healy and laughing repeatedly and in a
manner that could hardly be termed
forced. "When the bond had been accepted
he left the station with his bondsmen and
lawyer, after again saying he would not
talk of the charges for the preaent.
News of Mr. Boise's arrest, while oc
casioning much surprise to hundreds of
ills friends was not In the least unexpected
by lawyers and those knowing him more
Intimately. His strained relations with
Mrs. Collins and the accusation that he
had milked the Hawthorne estate of large
r i 4,.
m Xi; - , ; f - '
B- t:vAW '
P - A -
V ," 4
f J ! - -4- f r t J(f
WHITXEY I.. BOISE.
amounts had been discussed for weeks
past among lawyers and clubmen.
Man of Expensive Habits.
Tt has been noted for years that Mr.
Boise's habits have been expensive, din
ners and poker parties being the more
conspicuous items. Those who know say
he has been an Inveterate poker player,
frequenting the expensive private card
games among "friends" at prominent
clubs. The dinner parties frequently in
cluded champagne on the menu and were
served for parties of five and more.
There are few men in privato life - so
well known as Mr. Boise. He is presi
dent of the United East Side Push Clubs
and has been active in the development
work of these organizations. He was a
member of the Executive Board during
Mayor lane's administration and one of
the framers of the city's charter. He Is
a native Oregonian, a graduate of the
State University and has been very prom
inent in Republican politics for years.
His influence lias been broad in politics.
Mr. Boise's connection with the Haw
thorne estate began in 1898, when he was
retained as legal adviser. Two years
later, in 1900, he marr.ied Louise Haw
thorne, one of the heirs, and .thereafter
his control of the affairs of the estate
broadened. The original estate -was worth
about $1,000,000. Mrs. Collins was then
Mrs. J. Foster Beck, wife of a young
Portlander of social prominence, who was
noted as an athlete. Mr. Beck went to
Alaska in 1898 and was lost in the wreck
of the steamer Clara Nevada.
Boise Assumes Charge of Estate.
Tt was decided in 1898 to Incorporate the
estate, and this was done by the three
heirs. Mrs. Hawthorne. Iouise Hawthorne
and Mrs. Beck. Mr. Boise took charge of
the estate, although he was never author
ized to act without authority from the
heirs, and he msde tentative reports on
all transactions.
The estate was then in debt heavily,
and continued going in deeper. This kept
up until after the marriage of Mrs. Beck
lo Mr. Collins. The reorganization was
at this time effected with Mrs. Hawthorne
as president, Mrs. Boise as vice-president
and Mrs. Collins as secretary and treas
urer. Mr. Collins, also a Portlander, and
the son of an East Side barbershop pro
prietor, took an active- interest in oing
into the estate's affairs.
The estate had become involved to such
an extent, it is learned from an authori
tive source, that payments on notes and
taxes could not be met and repeated loans
were secured from the Merchants' Na
tional Bank. Immediately after the re
organization a demand was made on
Mr. Boise for all books, notes, mortgages,
deeds and other papers tf the estate and
he said at once he would give these up.
They were carried in baskets to the of
fices of the Hawthorne estate. In the
"Worcester block, and here Mr. Black
began work on them.
Search of these papers showing ir
regularities. Mr. Boise was called to the
office and accused of the embezzlements.
He admitted having been careless in
money matters and passed part of the
blamo along to R. U Cato, real estate
agent, since deceased.
Cate Used 20,000.
Mr. Cate was called on the carpet. He
confessed, saying he had used about
J'.'O.OOO of money from the sale of Haw
thorne lands. He turned over all his
property to the Hawthornes as repara
tion, but this did not make good the
deficit charged against him. He died
shortly afterwards and his estate went
to the Hawthornes.
After his death, Mr. Cate's check book
was secured and this showed where sums
from J500 to J2000 had been turned over
to Mr. Boise on the sale of lands. It
is said very little of this money was
turned in to the estate.
Following a policy of paying off the
Hawthorne indebtedness as rapidly as
possible, it is charged that Mr. Boise
sold large areas of land. He would make
these sales through the Cate agency, the
money being deposited by Mr. Cate in
his own name and later transferred to
Mr. Boise's personal account.
It is further charged that the Haw
thornes were given barely enough money
to get along with all this time, while Mr.
Boise lived in style and luxury, spending
money with great freedom. It is known
he explained this aftluence to Mrs. Boise
by saying he had a large law practice
and was getting big retainers from
wealthy clients.
As lawyer for the estate he was en
titled to draw the sum of $100 & month,
but he told the heirs the estate was so
badly in debt he would rorfeit alt re
muneration and apply the- J100 on the
debts. This action on his part is now
charged as bing intended to cover up his
carelessness with the large sums of
money he was receiving from the sale of
lands.
Within the past six months he was fre-
ouentlv called to the Worcester block as.-
tice and an accounting requested, but he
said he had been careless with books and
naoers and possibly with money, but
denied having done anything with crim
inal intent.
Family Delays Action.
With Mrs. Hawthorne and her daugh
ter. Mrs. Boise, reluctant to take the
matter into courts, it continued dragging
along until Mrs. Collins' action of yes
terday. Whether or not additional
charges will be tiled against Mr. Boise
has not yet been decided, although It Is
said book evidence is at hand of em
bezzlements aggregating between J150.000
and 1200.000.
It is recalled that Mr. Boise has been
under criminal charge before. He was
indicted in the famous smuggling cases
in June of 1893 along with James Lotan,
Sid Beck, Nat Blum. Customs Inspector
Mulkey and Lawyer Bannon. The charge
against him was that of conspiracy, but
the case did not come to trial.
The arrests were made In connection
with a big wholesale opium and Chinese
smuggling scheme. Lotan was Inspector
of Customs, a political boss and an in
valuable factor in the scheme. It was
the custom to dump barrels of opium
from boats coming up the Williamette.
The Danube and the Haytian Republic
were vessels used in the scheme.
Boise was taken into the Federal
District Court privately and indicted
at about 6 o'clock in the evening. The
charge was held up for several years
and then dismissed. It was generally
reported that friendship of a prom
inent official for Mr. Boise's father
was responsible for his. escape from
prosecution.
The incident cost him, however, the
District Attorneyship for the next year,
it is generally believed. He was slat
ed for that position but failed to get it.
Accused Man Native Son.
Mr. 'Boise was born at Salem about
47 years ago. After graduation from
the University at Eugene he came to
Portland and entered the law offices
of Stott & Boise. His father, the late
Judge Reuben P. Boise, was a man of
prominence and bore the highest re
spect and regard of the community.
He was an early-year Oregoa pioneer
and a member of the Oregon constltu
tional convention. He died only last
year at the august age of 85.
In 1894 Mr. Boise was made a mem
ber of the Multnomah County Repub
lican central committee, of which he
becane chairman in 1904. He served
also' at one time as chairman of the
Republican state central committee.
He was continually a prominent factor
in politics and in the days of the Lotan
and Simon factions he was on Lotan s
side. He was a strongr Mitchell man.
He served with the Executive Board
from 1902 to 1905, arid helped in fram
ing the city s charter.
Realty In Hawthorne Estate.
In the Hawthorne estate there are
included in the landed Interests valu
able farms In Washington County, :
considoj-able tract of acreage back of
City Park, platted tracts in Hawthorne
Park, Hawthorne Park first addition
and lots in several other platted tracts.
In a general way the representative
of the estate, George Black, puts the
real estate outside the city limits a
100 acres, with about SO0 lots in the
different platted tracts. None of this
is now in the market, according to Mr.
Black, but an approximate valuation
places the acreage and lots at some
where between $SOO,000 and Jl.OO.VOOO.
DROPPED COFFEE
Doctor Gains SO Pounds on Foitam.
A physician of Wash.. D. O, says of
his coffee experience:
"For years T suffered with periodical
headaches which grew more frequent
until they .became almost constant. So
severe were they that sometimes I was
almost fjantic. I was sallow, consti
pated, irritable, sleepless; my memory
was poor, I trembled and my. thoughts
were often confused.
"My wife, in her wisdom, believed
coffee was responsible for these ills
and urged me to drop it. I tried many
times to do so, but was Its slave.
'Finally Wife bought a package of
Postum and persuaded me to try it,
but she made it same as ordinary cof
fee and I was disgusted with the taste.
(I make this emphatic because I fear
many others have had the same ex
perience.) She was distressed at her
failure and we carefully read the
directions, rrte.de It right, boiled it full
15 minutes after boiling commenced,
and with good cream and sugar, I
liked It It invigorated and seemed to
nourish me.
"That was about a year ago. Now I
have no headaches, am not sallow,
sleeplessness and Irritability are gone,
my brain clear and my hand steady. I
have gained 20 lbs. and feel I am a
new man.
"I Uo not hesitate . to give Postum
due credit. Of course dropping coffee
was the main thing, but I had dropped
it before, using chocolate, cocoa and
other things to no purpose.
"Postum not only seemed to act as
an invigorant, but as an article of
nourishment, giving me the needed
phosphates and albumens. This Is no
imaginary talc. It can be substantiat
ed by my wife and her sister, who
both changed to Postum and are hearty
women of about 70.
"1 write this for the information and
encouragement of others, and with a
feeling of gratitude to the Inventor of
Postum."
Name given by Postum Co.. Battle
Creek, Mich. Read "The Road to Well
vllle," in pkgs. "There's a Reason
Ever read the above letter? A new
one appear from time to time. They
are nrenalne true, and fall of hum ma
Interest.
' -
"SANITARY" REFRIGERATORS
ON THE SPECIAL. TERMS-$l.QO PER WEEK
The Dr. Perkins "Sanitary" Refrigerator is the result of thorough scientific
study and test embodying a system that refrigerator experts have for years
endeavored to produce a principle that creates a positive fresh air circular
tion, enabling perishable foods of all kinds to be kept in the same compart
ments without becoming tainted with the odor of each other. The simplicity
of construction of the "Sanitary" cannot fail to appeal to common sense as
the most perfect and hygienic. The accompanying diagram clearly illustrates
the "Sanitary" system of ventilation.- From the point marked "A," the fresh
air enters the refrigerator and, after circulating through ice and provision
chambers, is expelled through the opposite side, at the outlet marked "E."
No refrigerator can show such a positively pure, fresh air circulation. See it
for yourself. We show the many sizes and styles of the "Sanitary" line.
FALL SHOWING OF NEW PAT
TERNS IN BODY BRUSSELS
Especially designed for bedrooms new combina
tions of blue in Delft and floral effects delicate
pinks Dresden stripe effects champagne, ivory
and gold and light and tan florals the most exclu
sive designs from the leading mills of the East. The
Carpet Section Sixth Floor.
LAWN
SETTEES
SPEC'L 35.75
This comfortable and sub
stantial outdoor piece
five feet long finished in
red or green. Sells regu
larly for $8.00. An op
portunity for selecting one of these Settees at the above spe
cial tomorrow and Tuesday.
GOLDEN
OAK
BUFFET
A new, medium-price piece that
has recently been added to our
line of dining-room furniture.
This Buffet is all quarter-sawed
and hand-polished, and has
heavy bevel-plate mirror. Three
small drawers and one large
table-linen drawer. Two side
compartments have fancy glass
door3. Price of the Buffet i3
$29.00.
FURNITURE UPHOLSTERING
A specialty with us the renewing of coverings on all
kinds of furniture. Up-to-date facilities enable us to do
the most satisfactory work and at the most reasonable
prices. We will be pleased to figure on the upholstering,
repairing and trefinishing of your furniture. Ex. 34.
ART WALL PAPERS V,
XTH
LOOK
A selection of the best of imported and domestic wall
coverings for all rooms art creations producing silk,
leather and metal effects scenic tapestry reproductions
cretonne effects nursery papers bathroom tiles, etc.
Satisfaction guaranteed on all interior decorative work
intrusted to our care.
ARM
ROCKERS
SPECIAL $3.95
A comfortable and attractive
pattern in quarter-sawed gold
en oak polished finish sad
dle seat. . This regular $5.75
Rocker at the above special
Monday and Tuesday.
GOLDEN
OAK
DRESSER
This large and stylish Dresser
is also one of several new de
signs, which has recently been
placed on our floors., All
quarter-sawed and hand-polished.
Has large, roomy draw
ers and oval-shape heavy bevel
plate mirror. Very good value
at the selling price $27.50
"NEW
PROCESS"
GAS
RANGES
SOLD ON
EASY
PAYMENTS
YOUR CREDIT )
IS GOOD
0MPLETEH0USE-FURT1I5rIER5:
MAKE YOUR ij
own terms !)
Mail Orders
and out-of-Town
In
quiries Re
ceive Our
Careful and
Prompt
Attention.
SUGAR 17 POUNDS $1
VEGETABLES
Hothouse Cucumbers ... 5
Green Peas, 8 pounds. .25
Fresh Tomatoes, pound. 10
String Beans, pound... 10
12 lbs. New Spuds 25
Potatoes, Sack
SOc
Free Basket With Every Order.
10 lbs. Dry Onions 25
Carnation Cream, 3 for 25
Carnation Cream, dozen 95
All Fancy Sweet Crack
ers, 2 lbs. ..; 25
Monarch Coffee
25c
1 lb.
Loaf Snsar Free With
Every pound.
Lye, can 5
3 bottles Vinegar 25
3 Toilet Paper 10
3 Tooth Picks 10
Large-size cans Minced
Clams 10
Hunt's Cream Baking
Powder 20
Force, package 10
4 lbs. Head Rice 25
Crescent Corn Flakes,
per pkg 5
BUTTER
Good Creamery - - 43c
Best Creamery - SSc
4 Pounds Sago or
lapioca 25c
2 2-lb. cans Corned Beef 25 J
8 cans Deviled Ham . ..25
2 lbs. Roast Beef 15
1000 Matches ..... 5
1 lb. any kind 50c Tea. .25?
Sanitarium Nut Butter,
in glass 25i
3 bottles any kind Ex
tract 25
3 packages Jello 25 C
1 lb. Ghirardelli's Ground
Chocolate .30
3 pkgs. Macaroni 25?
3 glasses Jelly 25J
3 pkgs. Jello. 25
'SOAPS
13 bars Laundry Soap. .25
8 bars D. C. Soap 25
6 bars Fairy Soap 25 $
3-bar box Toilet Soap. .10
6 full pound bars Laundry
Soap . 25c
Our Special Brand of Flour $1.10 Sack, $4.25 Barrel
WHEN YOU PAY "CASH" Y0D
ARE INDEPENDENT
6 pounds Navy Beans l..,..25
9 pounds Prunes , 25
1-lb. can Ground Chocolate . 30
Monarch Gloss Starch, pkg. 5
2 lbs. Half Cream Cheese. ..25
I 1st. and
lUl CAS H STORE
Durkee's Pure Spices, can. . 5c
3 cans Tomatoes . ....... 25
2 glasses Chipped Beef 25
3 cans Corn 25d
Comb Iloney 10
LARGEST CASH GROCERY AND
MARKET IN PORTLAND