El Paso Morning Times (El Paso, Tex.), Vol. 32, Ed. 1 Sunday, December 10, 1911 Page: 16 of 28
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£jg> A Few Suggestions
From THE BIG TRUNK STORE
Collar Boxes
Toilet Rolls
Music Roils
Dressing Cases ...................$1.50 UP Velvet Hand Bags, $2.00 values.......$1.25
Velvet Hand Bags, $1.50 values....... .75
Ladies’ Hand Bags ................65c UP
Bell Phone 1083
EXCELSIOR TRUNK CO.
210-212 Mesa Ave.
to Captain Hopkins' private
office on the plea of urgent eonfiden-
ttaJ business and represented himself
HI THE AGENTS OF HERD
DID THEIR UN IN WASHINGTON
won ami
you
Nut on t lif plains about Juarez, nor
in the turbulent streets of Mexico
City was the recent Mexican revolu-
tion fought, but in the quiet avenues
Of our American capital, Washing-
ton. That was the nerve centre
from which the blows of the fighting
men in the field were directed. There,
in hotel corridors, lobbies of theaters
and law offices, the decisive engage-
ments between the old regime and
the new were fought and
lost.
Titis was but natural when
thing of it. The supporters of Ma-
dero, confident „t (he Justice of their
cause and hanking on the general
sympathy of Americans, selected
Washington as the base Irotn which
they were to obtain not only their
supplies and munitions, but advice
and example and how to proceed
from the diplomatic viewpoint arid
information us to what the iJiaz gov-
ernment would do to outwit them.
The very boldness of the idea of
transacting their illicit business un-
der the eyeS of the secret service mill
the department of justice favored
them.
The Mexican government, being
immediately informed of this plan,
haiurally relied upon its embassy in
Washington to frustrate the plan's of
the revolutionists and to keep tab on
every movement of the enemy. If
arms were sent as such from the
United States it would be the duty of
the government to inform the Mex-
ican government, whose agents would
be prepared to seize the goods us
they entered Mexico. Shipping arms
hot correctly labeled was against
the law and an offence to be dealt
with by tlie departmenl of justice.
Ko from the nature of Ihe affair
it wuk to he a question ,as to which
side could obtain the lirst and most
reliable information regarding the
aims and purposes of the other
Without arms the Mad.ro faction
Was powerless. With arms it was a
serious menace to the Diaz gov-
ernment.
At Hie out set General Maredo sent
his brother. Gustavo Mudero, mid
Sciior Jain Sanchez Azeona to Wash-
ington. They engaged the law firm of
Hopkins A Hopkins as their repre-
sentatives. Thomas S. Hopkins and
fv G. Hopkins were legal advisers in
the United Ktal.-S of the Chilian
revolutionary party which In tsoi
overthrew the Balmaceda govern-
ment
Tip. Mexican embassy immediately
requested the department of Justice
to use every legal means to prevent
the delivery of arms to the insur-
gents, and the state department
promised to employ the greatest
vigilance to prevent Illegal traffic iri
arms. The department of justice as-
signed eome of its most expert secret
service men to keep it informed of
every move of the revolutionary
agents in Ihe United States, and the
Mexican embassy employed a force
of private detectives from the Burns
and Pinkerton agencies.
Then the secret service duel began,
in his office in the Hibba building
Captain K. G. Hopkins began to re-
ceive mysterious visitors. All sorts of
men disappeared behind the ground-
glass doors of his private office, and
clerks and stenographers speculated
In whispers until the stranger emerg-
ed. The elevator boys told weird
tales of queer men and women loiter-
ing about the HIbbs building at,
night, and told each other with an
air of bravado how they had been
offered amounts ranging from $20 to
$50 If they would pass some mys-
terious person into Captain Hopkln’s
room.
"This may be impor-
the little yellow en
The revolutionary committee rolled
upon its secret service to Inform its
members of any danger, but there
were many narrow escapes from dis-
astrous discoveries. One morning
Captain Hopkins was preparing a
dispatch to General Madera, staling
that a shipment of arms lebeled
"furniture fixtures” was on its way.
A clerk entered his office with a
curd inscribed "Chester V. Lord.”
"Show him In,” said the lawyer.
A middle aged man. engaging and
attractive in appearance and man-
ner, entered the office.
"My business is purely confiden-
tial,” he said. "I am an agent for
Francis Bannernian, a New York
dealer in arms and ammunition."
“Vos," said Captain Hopkins, with
a rising inflection.
"Of course," continued the man,
"I am trusting you not to give mo
away. As an agent of Bummrman
I have sold to the Mexican govern-
ment 7,500,000 rounds of cartridges.
The contract was first made orally
with Ambassador de la Barra and
later was confirmed In writing. At
the last moment the Mexican gov-
ernment has declined to pay our
price and we stand to lose $8000.
Now, the reason 1 have come to you
is that I believe l can make you an
attractive offer for these arms.”
The revolutionists were sorely in
need of arms and ammunition. Thu
offer seemed sound and was very
tempting. Captain Hopkins told "Mr.
Lord" to call the following day, as
he must consult others before sign
irig a contract. Ah the visitor step-
lied toward the door It opened rind
a messenger boy entered with a tele-
gram.
"Cardon me hut for a second,” said
The Coal to tie to-
Black
Black Diamond Stove
$8.00
SANTA
FUEL
‘Mace Your Order With the Yard Near-
est to You.”
YARDS: 7th & Santa Fe, Piedras &
G. H. Tracks
the lawyer,
tant."
He tore open
velope and read
“Look out for James D. Hallen,
who left here this morning for Wash-
ington. He will pose as a man hav-
ing a contract to sell arms to the
Mexican government, but is in reality
a detective whose instruction* are to
worm himself Into your confidence
for the purpose of finding out how
your arms are shipped,"
The telegram also gave a full de-
scription of James D. Hallen and
slated, that a copy of his Instructions
had been mailed. It was signed Har-
vey i’hllltps. Captain Hopkins read
the message in a casual manner1. One
would never have dreamed from his
expressionless face that the descrip-
tion of Hallen applied exactly to Air.
Lord.
"Pardon me for keeping you wait-
ing,” he said pleasantly. "Home of
tills business is so urgent. Be suro
to come tomorrow. 1 am greatly In-
terested in your offer.”
James Hallen had not left the
building before a secret service man
of the Madero faction wag on his
trail and every movement was watch-
ed. So bold were his methods that
in a few days the revolutionary
agents were able to take legal means
to force him to leave Washington, ft
was alleged that he plotted to have
confederates concealed in tho office
of the revolutionary committee.
A Mystery by Telephone. -
Through the most mysterious
channels, in the strangest ways,
valuable bits of Information came to
Captain Hopkins. One morning he
had just entered his office early, be-
fore any of the clerks were there,
when the telephone Jangled,
"Is this Captain Hopkins?” came
over the wire,
“Bight here,” said the lawyer.
“Don’t ask who this is,” said a
voice, "but do as.I say. Walk out of
the office* over to Fourteenth street.
Stand outside the window of KUne-
dinst and look at the photographs.
Don't look around and pay no heed
to any who may pass you.”
What was he to do? It might bo
a ruse to get him from tho office for
some purpose. He tested all tholockH
of the doors, locked his desk, thrust
Papers he had been working over in-
to the safe and hurried to the street,
worried lest he might be doing wrong.
For a few> seconds he stood look-
ing in the big plate glass window,
which reflected objects In the street
like a rnirryr A man brushed light-
ly against him, whispering us he
passed:
“Caii you see that man across the
street walking by?”
Captain Hopkins saw the mirrored
image of tho man and nodded a
slight assent.
“Look out for him,” whispered
the passerby. "He’s your shadaw.”
Who his informant was Captain
Hopkins did not know. Probably
some secret agent of the revolution-
ists, unknown even to him.
Often after that the lawyer saw
the familiar figure of the man who
was shadowing him. Then ho disap-
peared. For a few days the lawyer
wondered, then forgot about it in the
press of affairs. But the vigilance of
the agents of Diaz had not relaxed.
Captain Hopkins was one day work-
ing over some cipher dispatches
when he was called on the telephone.
“Hurry to your bank," said a voice]
which did not sound like the one
which had told him to go to Kline-
dlnsl's shop. "Change a ten dollar
bill.”
Captain Hopkins called his partner
to the private office. Hurriedly ex-
plaining the matter, lie said:
"Please stay in here till I come
hack. Don't leave tho room for an
Instant; we can't he too careful."
At the hank a man next in line to
him whispered:
"Man standing In doorway,
gloves, mole under left eye, is
new shadow.”
Captain Hopkins did not glance at
the man who offered the informa-
tion, but he photographed his watch-
er in his mind.
Perhaps the most active of the
revolutionary, agents and Captain
Hopkins' most capable aid was Har-
vey Phillips. Not only was he suc-
cessful in the cunning with which he
checkmated the moves of the Diaz
agents, but he got consignment after
consignment of arms and ammuni-
tion to Modern's army.
The revolutionists needed impera-
tivelv 55,000 rounds of ammunition.
Atr. Phillips was assigned to the deal
because of the urgent need for the
supplies. He divided the entire ship-
ment into three parts. A third of the
whole consignment he packed in
three large drummers' trunks and
carried with hi mas excess baggage.
Another batch was packed and label-
ed "Furniture Fittings" and sent to
an agent in TCI Paso. The remainder
was expressed as “Furniture Cast-
ings" through the same channels.
So careflnlly did he cover his
tracks that the goods were delivered
to the Insurgent army, but the de-
partment of justice ferreted out the
moves that had been made. He had
violated the interstate traffic law by
shipping ammunition labeled "Fur-
niture Fittings" through the states
and across the border.
The department of Justice assign-
ed a detective, A. Scully, to track
down Mr. Phillips and arrest him.
with a" dealer In arms who had sold
goods to Phillips, Scully went from
New York to Washington, The deal-
er was to identify Harvey Phillips,
but upon arriving in Washington the
detective get about to do a little quiet
work by himself. He gained cn-
ag Mr. Alfred Stephens,
„ "* **> * dealer in arms.” he said,
ass,lf \ 5s® *et ‘n louch "Bh Mr.
Phillips X believe X can make an at-
tractive offer.”
“I believe I can put yon in touch
with Mr. Phillips," said the lawyer.
"If you will call back here at 5
o’clock this afternoon.”
■ All right,” said the detective, and
he toyed with his hat so that Captain
Hopklng noticed the Initials “A. S."
The lawyer was suspicious of every
one, and his appointment With
man who called
----the
himself Stephens
gave him seven hours In which to
work. The detective had not been
half an hour from the office when
Harvey Phillips was closeted with
Captain Hopfeina, The two men be-
gan to suspect trouble. Some way
a,falr did not seem quite
right. The Initials in the hat argued
in favor of the man who had called,
for the lawyer was sure that tho
manner in which he. had .twirled
the derby was entirely natural and
was not done with a purpose. It
was all but decided that Harvey
Phillips would meet the dealer In
arms at Captain Hopkins’ office.
They were only to wait for the re-
port of men who were trailing
Stephens. By noon one of the revo-
lutionary secret service men called at
,offlce and reported that
.Stephens" had met several strangers
Iri the Union station and that his
actions had been very suspicious.
That was enough.
It was decided that Phillips should
not meet Stephens.
Meanwhile the detective had learn-
ed that Mr. Phillips was expected
to be at the Arlington hotel be-
tween 8 and D o’clock in the evening.
Scully and his confederates went to
the hotel. The dealer was there to
identify Phillips.
"Do you know if Mr. Phillips is
around?" asked Scully M Jim Brest,
who was at the desk,
Brest was one of the most capable
agents of the revolutionists.
Mr. Phillips? Mr. Phillips?” he
repeated. “Oh, yes. He has an en-
gagement here with a Mr. Johnson.
He will surely be here at 9 o’clock."
P®Bently Scully, his colleagues and
Sf.,,. al*!r who was to Identify
Phillips waited until 9 o'clock. Many
black cigar they smoked before 3
the morning, waiting for Phillips,
who never came. He had left Cap-
tain Hopkins’ office In disguise and
was on his way to New Orleans by
the time Scully reached the hotel,
borne time later he was arrested in
theater In Washington, where he
was recognized by an agent of the
department of Justice. His case did
not Come up until after the revolu-
tion had been settled and he was
fined only $100.
That was the first Important part
In the game played by Jim Bres..
Later he developed a genius for
transmitting information by tele-
graph. the secret service men
were marvels at ferreting out codes,
and everything depended on being
able to Inform the revolutionists of
how arms were being shipped and
When and how they would be deliv-
ered. It was a. matter almost of
minutes sometimes, the getting of
ammunition to its destination before
the Diaz agents discovered the
scheme. Jim Brest was the origina-
tor of the so-called "Hebrew firms"
of exporters of arms, ficticious busi-
ness houses which sent bewildering
telegrams to ficticious agents in El
Paso.
Big Stores
Gas light does not tire the eye.
Gas light is the only artificial sunshine.
The newest gas arc lamp costs 2c per hour.
For the home or store gas light can not be excelled.
Read with comfort by gaslight.
Home may be one room, it maybe in twenty. Buf
it is HOME SWEET HOME if equipped with mod-
ern gas light.
Let the gas men look after your lights.
Make home attractive to your boys and girls.
Our reward is a pleased gas-user.
El Paso Gas & Electric Co.
Bell 98
310 Mills St.
Auto 1098
J
gray
your
Brest,’
-Sol
The secret service men employed
by the department of justice watch-
ed telegrams closely. Once they
came upon the following message
t° Frank Cody, El Paso Texas:
' We shipped today five hundred
tubes, two thousand pills for same.
Ton must be careful not to let any
one know you are in communica-
tion with our firm.
"JULIUS WETSTEIN."
This telegram was sent from the
Arlington hotel, and soon after sev-
era! others were Intercepted. They
were of like import and were signed
with such names as Sol Lowenthal,
Cohen Commercial company and
Isaac Rolusvcnsky, It was like ex-
ploding n bomb in the midst of the
secret agents of the department of
Justice and the Mexican embassy.
I hoy had what they deemed a clue
to work on. Clever detectives sur-
mised that tubes meant guns and
that pills meant cartridges.
A secret service man was sent to
the Arlington to Investigate. At the
desk of tho telegraph operator of the
hotel ho said he had a message for
Julius Wetstein and asked how he
could deliver It.
"You had better see Mr.
said the operator.
At the clerk's desk the detective
asked Mr. Brest, "Do you know Afr.
Julius Wetstein? X am looking for
him.”
“Know him?” echoed Brest. ”1
should say I did. He is a fine fellow
and comes in hero often.”
The detective was encouraged. He
asked cautiously:
"Do you know Air. Lowentha!
Lowentbal ?”
"Sol Lowenthal ?” said Brest heart-
ily. "He is the best ever. He and
Wetstein are pals —just like brothers.
They'll probably come in together.'
The detective was pleased. He and
his colleagues waited and waited for
Julius Wetstein, who never came.
While they were watting agents of
the revolutionists obtained a group
photograph of them.
Brest and Captain Hopkins had
sent the ficticious telegrams to find
what detectives were working the
telegraph end and to give them some-
thing to occupy their minds while
real messages were sent. While the
secret service men were watching for
Hoi Lowenthal and Julius Wetstein
to saunter into the hotel arm in arm
a message was sent and an answer
received right in the Arlington hotel.
Tho message read as follows:
"Andrew CulUe, El Paso Texas;
"Rati* Yaxon yawek zellr kilson
abab hafig oecig modix acid rotaw
ehlgs rifles stehx.
“ARMSTRONG."
Translated, this message read:
Have ordered 2500 Winchester re-
peating rifles. .30; will arrive El Paso
about January 9 consigned Western
Furniture company. Prepare, receive
and dispose of same.
“CAPTAIN HOPKINS."
This transaction, which was mani-
pulated under the very eyes of tho
detectives, was successful', as were
many similar ones. The code used
was arbitrary for the most part, so
that a cipher could not be worked
out. Messages signed with real
names were only used to lead the In-
vestigators astray. Some of the con-
ventions used were Obag for General
Francisco I. Madero. Aabo for Gus-
tavus Madero and August Carrol,
Armstrong and others for Captain
Hopkins.
It was an open secret, however,
that Captain Hopkins and hts partner
were acting for the revolutionists,
and it was only when they wished to
hide their movements that the code
was used. Showing how close Cap-
tain Hopkins was in touch with the
heart of the revolution, he sent a
telegram at the time an assault was
expected on Juarez to Dr. F. Vasouez
Gomez, who represented the Maderiijt
cause and was at the time in El 1’aeo.
Captain Hopkins telegraphed:
"Should attack Juarez result loss
life destruction property El 1 »so
President might present question
congress attitude of which is uncer-
tain though generally opposed inter-
ference. In case intervention au-
thorized Congress, such would be
limited prevention fighting frontier.
If peace absolutely falls, you should,
however, strike immediately lf cir-
cumstances permit using all means
avoid complaints American Interests.
We are working. s. G. H.”
A Woman Takes Part.
One of the biggest scares the revo-
lutionary agents had w'as caused by
a young woman, who brought about
an extremely dramatic scene, which
all but proved to be a denouncement.
She, was young and very beautiful,
and one day she called on Captain
Hopkins In his offioe on the usual
"confidential business.” She seemed
perfectly at home and lost no time
In getting to the pith of her mission,
"1 am greatly Interested In the
cause of Madero,” ghe said, “and, be-
ing of an adventurous turn of mind,
I would like to do some secret work
for the party. I understand," she
continued casually, "that Harvey
Phillips is working for you.”
The lawyer was caught off his
guard and almost gasped In astonish-
ment. It was before ar.y knew' that
Phillips was working for the insur-
gents. Captain Hopkins caught him-
self just in time.
"Who told you that Mr. Phillips
was working for us?" he asked
sceptically.
"Why Pratt, a detective at head-
quarters,” she remarked carelessly.
“I know him and he happened to
mention it to me."
Captain Hopkins Immediately call-
ed Pratt at headquarters on the tele-
phone. He repeated the substance of
the conversation with Miss Wells.
“Why," said the detective. “I don’t
even know myself whether Phillips is
working for you. As for Miss Wells,
I never met her."
"She will be here tomorrow,” said
Hopkins. ”X would like you to meet
her.”
Alls* Wells kept her appointment
t'X the minute. She asked again for
work and was explaining that she
had no experience when Captain
Hopkins interrupted her with the
question:
"How did you say you knew Mr.
Phillips was working for us?”
"Why, Pratt, at headquarters, in-
formed me."
“Mr. Pratt." called
kins.
The detective entered the office
and glared at Miss Wells.
"Do you know this young lady?"
asked Captain, Hopkins.
"No. sir," said Pratt, and the girl
blushed and seemed about to faint.
"I'm going to take her to headquar-
ters. though."
"Why, what have I done?" stam-
mered Miss Wells, tears welling to
her eyes.
“Trying to get money under false
pretences," insisted Pratt.
Captain Hopkins had had a ter-
rible scare, for at that time the
knowledge that Phillip* was working
for the Insurgents would have been
almost fatal to the cause, but he ar-
gued with the detective In favor of
the young woman. At last Pratt con-
sented to let her go. When he had
left the office the girl held out her
hand to Captain Hopkins.
“Thank you.” she said simply.
"You have saved me from disgrace.
I \vas actuated purely by the desire
for a lark. X can only repay you by
warning you to keep an eye on Mr.
Rossi, stopping at the Gordon hotel.”
Then the girl hurried from the of-
fice and was not seen again. Gus-
tavus Afadero and Senor Azeona were
stopping at the Gordon hotel and in-
vestigation showed that Rossi, who
posed as a wine agent, was really
spying upon them.
Such were the Inner workings of
the revolution which resulted In the
overthrow of the Diaz regime. Sur-
rounded with mystery, wrapped In
darkness, those who were thickest In
the plot did not even know who their
friends were or whom to thank for
many bits of Information which per-
haps barely saved them from catas-
trophe.
--<S»-—
Better bring that classified ad
leading players in their numerical rajjk.
the Times before all those free dishes
are gone.
-o?>.
NAMED
THE BEST TE., -AWN
TENNIS PLAYERS
Associated Press Dispatch
New York, Dec. 9._The best ten lawn
tennis players In the country were offi-
cially rutf.l today in the annual report
made by tbe ranking committee, to the
I nited States Lawn Tennis association
The players named in order are:
A. Larned, Al. E. AlcLaughlln, T.
A. Bundy. G. F. Touchard. M. it. Long.
•V M. Niles, T. R. Pell, It, D. Little, K.
R. Behr, W. M, Halt.
Instead of naming tho other ninety
the committee this year ranked only ITS
in three classes.
The players In Class A include Richard
Bishop, a. R. Gardner, R. A. Holden, Jr.,
and E. P. Lamed.
Tho best ten double teams are:
G. F. Touchard and It. D. Little; T
C. Bundy and ,M. L. McLoughlin; H. H.’
Haekett and F. B. Alexander; T. R. Pell
and L. E. Alahan; H. H. Haekett and It.
D. Little: C. B. Doyle and H. E. Doyle;
B. C. Wright and N. W. Niles; C. Al.
Bull, Jr., and H. 0. Martin; Otto Hincke
and H. Torrence, J.; G. Al. Church and
Dean Methey.
---®--
Some of the dishes you got with
Times classified ads could not be
purchased for $1.
MATCH bicycle race.
Associated Press Dispatch
New York, Dec. 9.—Preliminary to
5Jr ?,ay dcvcle face which begins
In Madison Square Garden at midnight
tomorrow- short distance races were
held at the garden tonight.
T*? three cornered international
match race was won by Frank Kra-
Tdr’rnnilt|10n?-Ii ct,amI,lon- He defeat- ,
ed Jackie Clarke, Australian
Plon.
eham-
-<5>-
SIL.S.’
gone. j ,
---_______ “
DEFEATED THE CUBANS.
ctated Pre*n DUiatch
Havana, Cuba, Dec. 9.—New York Na-
tionalg, 7; Havana. 4.
--—-.
Ppi]rr..brin/ that classified ad
JoneSS bCf°re a" those free dishe~*
Captain Hop.
Established
1896
Trade ONE-PRICE Mark
Corner Myrtle and Campbell Streets
W. R. SCHUTZ, Prop
Everett. Fischer. Harvard, Gabler, Cro™, Hallett & Davis
Pianos.
' P,an° T“w5rliu.r” Automatic OrcStri,™”""”"'''
EL PASO PIANO CO.
* i
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El Paso Morning Times (El Paso, Tex.), Vol. 32, Ed. 1 Sunday, December 10, 1911, newspaper, December 10, 1911; El Paso, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth581201/m1/16/: accessed July 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting Abilene Library Consortium.