Finding Aid to the Collection of San Francisco Graft Prosecution Records, 1906-1911

Finding Aid written by Bancroft Library staff; revised by Alison E. Bridger
The Bancroft Library
University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, California, 94720-6000
Phone: (510) 642-6481
Fax: (510) 642-7589
Email: bancref@library.berkeley.edu
URL: http://bancroft.berkeley.edu/
© 2007
The Regents of the University of California. All rights reserved.

Finding Aid to the Collection of San Francisco Graft Prosecution Records, 1906-1911

Collection Number: BANC MSS C-B 447

The Bancroft Library



University of California, Berkeley

Berkeley, California
Finding Aid Written By:
Bancroft Library staff; revised by Alison E. Bridger
Date Completed:
May 2007
© 2007 The Regents of the University of California. All rights reserved.

Collection Summary

Collection Title: Collection of San Francisco graft prosecution records
Date (inclusive): 1906-1911
Collection Number: BANC MSS C-B 447
Extent: Number of containers: 93 volumes in 8 cartons, and 11 scrapbooks Linear feet: 12.2
Repository: The Bancroft Library
University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, California, 94720-6000
Phone: (510) 642-6481
Fax: (510) 642-7589
Email: bancref@library.berkeley.edu
URL: http://bancroft.berkeley.edu/
Abstract: The Collection of San Francisco Graft Prosecution Records contains copies of legal records and scrapbooks of newspaper clippings, including transcripts of the trials of Abe Ruef, Eugene E. Schmitz, Louis Glass, Michael W. Coffey, Patrick Calhoun, et al., and contempt proceedings against William J. Burns. Also includes materials relating to Francis J. Heney and Hiram W. Johnson. The records were assembled for the president of United Railroads, Patrick Calhoun, and his chief counsel, Tirey L. Ford, chiefly by their attorney Albert A. Moore with his son Stanley Moore. Copies of the Eugene Schmitz trial papers (volumes 2-4) were formally in the possession of F.C. Drew.
Languages Represented: Collection materials are in English
Physical Location: Many of the Bancroft Library collections are stored offsite and advance notice may be required for use. For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Library's online catalog.

Information for Researchers

Access

Collection is open for research.

Publication Rights

All requests to reproduce, publish, quote from, or otherwise use collection materials must be submitted in writing to the Head of Public Services, The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley, 94270-6000. Consent is given on behalf of The Bancroft Library as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission from the copyright owner. Such permission must be obtained from the copyright owner. See: http://bancroft.berkeley.edu/reference/permissions.html .
Restrictions also apply to digital representations of the original materials. Use of digital files is restricted to research and educational purposes.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], Collection of San Francisco Graft Prosecution Records, BANC MSS C-B 447, The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley.

Alternate Forms Available

There are no alternate forms of this collection.

Related Collections

Photographs related to the San Francisco graft trial, (BANC PIC 1905.02613-02623)
Francis J. Heney papers (BANC MSS C-B 389)

Indexing Terms

The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.
Glass, Louis
Schmitz, Eugene E
Ruef, Abraham, 1864-1936
Moore, A. A. (Albert Alfonzo), b. 1842
Moore, Stanley, b. 1880
Drew, Frank C., 1861-1925
Burns, William J., 1861-1932
Calhoun, Patrick, b. 1856
Coffey, Michael W
Ford, Tirey L. (Tirey Lafayette), 1857-1928
Heney, Francis J. (Francis Joseph), 1859-1937
Johnson, Hiram, 1866-1945
United Railroads of San Francisco
Political corruption--California--San Francisco
Public utilities--California--San Francisco
San Francisco (Calif.)--Politics and government
San Francisco (Calif.)--History
Scrapbooks

Administrative Information

Acquisition Information

The Collection of San Francisco Graft Prosecution Records were given to The Bancroft Library by Stanley W. Moore, Sr. and Stanley W. Moore, Jr. in 1946. Volumes 2-4 were purchased from John Howell in 1928.

Accruals

No additions are expected.

System of Arrangement

Arranged to the container level.

Processing Information

Processed by Bancroft Library staff.

Historical Information

The San Francisco graft prosecution came as the result of the activities (ca. 1902-1907) of Abraham Ruef a San Francisco attorney and notorious political boss. With the assistance of Mayor Eugene Schmitz, Ruef arranged for the bribery of the Board of Supervisors by public utility companies and other powerful business interests including United Railroad. The prosecutor in the case was Francis J. Heney, who was succeeded by Hiram W. Johnson, when Heney was shot in the courtroom. The case helped launch Johnson's political career. Detective William J. Burns assisted the prosecution. Only Ruef was convicted of bribery in 1908 and sentenced to a 14 year prison term.

Scope and Content of Collection

The Collection of San Francisco Graft Prosecution Records contains copies of legal records and scrapbooks of newspaper clippings, including transcripts of the trials of Abe Ruef, Eugene E. Schmitz, Louis Glass, Michael W. Coffey, Patrick Calhoun, et al., and contempt proceedings against William J. Burns. Also includes materials relating to Francis J. Heney and Hiram W. Johnson. The records were assembled for the president of United Railroads, Patrick Calhoun, and his chief counsel, Tirey L. Ford, chiefly by their attorney Albert A. Moore with his son Stanley Moore. Copies of the Eugene Schmitz trial papers (volumes 2-4) were formally in the possession of F.C. Drew.

Carton 1, Volume 1

Carmen's Case:

Scope and Content Note

regarding arbitration between Amalgamated Association of Street and Electric Railway Employees of America, Div. 205, and the United Railroads
Carton 1, Volume 2

Schmitz vs. the Superior Court

Carton 1, Volume 3

People vs. Schmitz

Scope and Content Note

transcript on appeal
Carton 1, Volume 4

Abbott vs. Superior Court; and T.V. Halsey et al vs. Superior Court

Scope and Content Note

(Binder's title: People vs. Schmitz)
Carton 1, Volume 5

Abbott vs. Superior Court; Brobeck vs. Superior Court; Halxey vs. Superior Court

Carton 1, Volume 6

Records of the San Francisco Graft before the grand jury

Carton 1, Volume 7-8

People vs. Glass

Carton 1, Volume 9

People vs. Glass

Scope and Content Note

argument to jury
Carton 1, Volume 10-11

People vs. Glass

Scope and Content Note

volume 1 of transcript
Carton 2, Volume 12

People vs. Glass

Scope and Content Note

volume 2 of transcript
Carton 2, Volume 13

People vs. Glass

Scope and Content Note

appellant's points and authorities
Carton 2, Volume 14

People vs. Glass

Scope and Content Note

respondent's brief
Carton 2, Volume 15

People vs. Glass

Scope and Content Note

appellant's reply brief
Carton 2, Volume 16

People vs. Glass

Scope and Content Note

brief for respondent accompanying petition for rehearing
Carton 2, Volume 17

People vs. Tirey L. Ford

Scope and Content Note

testimony, volume 1
Carton 2, Volume 18

People vs. Tirey L. Ford

Scope and Content Note

testimony, volume 2
Carton 2, Volume 19

People vs. Tirey L. Ford

Scope and Content Note

testimony and arguments, v. 2 (duplicate of carton 2, volume 18)
Carton 2, Volume 20-21

People vs. Tirey L. Ford

Scope and Content Note

volume 1-2 (partial duplication of carton 2, volume 17)
Carton 2, Volume 22-23

People vs. Tirey L. Ford

Scope and Content Note

2nd trial, volume 1
Carton 3, Volume 24

People vs. Tirey L. Ford

Scope and Content Note

2nd trial, volume 2
Carton 3, Volume 25

People vs. Tirey L. Ford

Scope and Content Note

2nd trial, volume 2 (partial duplication of carton 3, volume 24)
Carton 3, Volume 26

People vs. Tirey L. Ford

Scope and Content Note

2nd trial miscellaneous instructions
Carton 3, Volume 27

People vs. Ruef 1908 April 29-May 8

Scope and Content Note

proceedings
Carton 3, Volume 28

People vs. Ruef 1908 May 9-May 16

Scope and Content Note

proceedings
Carton 3, Volume 29

People vs. Ruef 1908 June 22-Aug. 7

Scope and Content Note

preliminary examinations of John J. Furey et al
Carton 3, Volume 30-31

People vs. Ruef 1908 July 8-24

Scope and Content Note

preliminary examinations, testimony of James L. Gallagher
Carton 3, Volume 32

People vs. Ruef 1908 Aug 4-8

Scope and Content Note

in regards of W. J. Burns et al
Carton 4, Volume 33-37

People vs. Ruef 1908 Nov. 6-Dec. 9

Carton 4, Volume 38

People vs. Ruef

Scope and Content Note

Appellant's opening brief (duplicate)
Carton 4, Volume 39

People vs. Ruef

Scope and Content Note

Appellant's opening brief, subject: misconduct of Judge
Carton 4, Volume 40

People vs. Ruef

Scope and Content Note

Appellant's opening brief, subject: misconduct of District Attorney
Carton 5, Volume 41

People vs. Ruef

Scope and Content Note

Appellant's opening brief, subject: refusal to discharge jury; admission of evidence of other offense; error in admitting injunctions
Carton 5, Volume 42

People vs. Ruef

Scope and Content Note

Appellant's opening brief, subject: Furey, the alleged bribee, was an accomplice
Carton 5, Volume 43

People vs. Ruef

Scope and Content Note

Appellant's opening brief, subject: erroneous examination of witness Alex S. Latham; erroneous admission of evidence
Carton 5, Volume 44

People vs. Ruef

Scope and Content Note

Appellant's opening brief, subject: exception of rulings during empanelment of jury
Carton 5, Volume 45

People vs. Ruef

Scope and Content Note

Appellant's opening brief, subject: insufficiency of evidence
Carton 5, Volume 46

Duplicate of Carton 4, volumes 38 and 40

Carton 5, Volume 47

Duplicate of Carton 5, volume 41

Carton 5, Volume 48

Duplicate of Carton 5, volume 44

Carton 5, Volume 49

People vs. M. W. Coffey 1909 Feb 9-10

Scope and Content Note

Testimony of Gallagher
Carton 5, Volume 50

People vs. M. W. Coffey 1909 July 6

Scope and Content Note

Transcript on appeal
Carton 5, Volume 51

People vs. M. W. Coffey

Scope and Content Note

Appellant's points and authorities and opening brief; brief of respondent; brief of Carroll Cook, of counsel for appellant; brief of F. J. Heney in reply to brief of Carroll Cook; Supplemental reply brief on behalf of appellant; reply brief of Carroll Cook
Carton 5, Volume 52

People vs. Calhoun et al 1907 May 27 - 1908 May 11

Carton 5, Volume 53

People vs. Calhoun et al

Scope and Content Note

Account on demurrers, decision on demurrers, orders setting causes for trial and stipulation and order regarding bill of exception
Carton 5, Volume 54

People vs. Calhoun et al 1907 June 1

Scope and Content Note

Motion to set aside
Carton 6, Volume 55

People vs. Calhoun et al 1907 June 11-26

Carton 6, Volume 56

People vs. Calhoun et al 1907 June 27-29

Carton 6, Volume 57

People vs. Calhoun et al 1909 April 15-30

Scope and Content Note

Trial opening statement and testimony
Carton 6, Volume 58

People vs. Calhoun et al 1909 May 3-14

Scope and Content Note

Trial testimony
Carton 6, Volume 59

People vs. Calhoun et al 1909 May 17-28

Scope and Content Note

Trial testimony
Carton 6, Volume 60

People vs. Calhoun et al 1909 June 1-11

Carton 7, Volume 61-63

Duplicates of Carton 6, volumes 58-60

Carton 7, Volume 64

People vs. Calhoun et al 1908 Mar. 20- 1909 June 21

Scope and Content Note

Various proceedings
Carton 7, Volume 65

People vs. Calhoun et al

Scope and Content Note

Affidavits
Carton 7, Volume 66

People vs. Calhoun et al

Scope and Content Note

Transcript mandate instructions
Carton 7, Volume 67

Regarding Thornwell Mullally; People vs. Calhoun; People vs. Detwiler; People vs. Halsey; People vs. Gallegher

Carton 7, Volume 68

Regarding Tirey L. Ford on Habeas Corpus

Carton 8, Volume 69

General plan of cross examination of Gallegher

Carton 8, Volume 70

Duplicate of Carton 8, volume 69

Carton 8, Volume 71

Cross examination of Gallegher on immunity

Carton 8, Volume 72

Gallegher-Nicholas

Scope and Content Note

Selected portions of the testimony of each, showing that no previous promise was made to Nicholas by Gallegher
Carton 8, Volume 73-74

Duplicate of Carton 8, volume 72

Carton 8, Volume 75

Gallegher on everything but trolley matter

Carton 8, Volume 76

Gallegher on trolley matter

Carton 8, Volume 77

Denominations of bills received by Gallegher from Ruef in trolley matter

Carton 8, Volume 78

Testimony of Supervisor Gallegher as to all matters but the trolley matter

Carton 8, Volume 79

Testimony of Supervisor Gallegher on Trolley franchise (People vs. Ruef)

Carton 8, Volume 80

Gallegher's testimony shows that money proposition in trolley matter originated with supervisors

Carton 8, Volume 81

Duplicate of Carton 8, volume 80

Carton 8, Volume 82

People vs. Ruef

Scope and Content Note

Testimony of Andrew M. Wilson on Trolley franchise
Carton 8, Volume 83

Testimony of Supervisor Andrew M. Wilson as to all matters but the trolley

Carton 8, Volume 84

Complete testimony of Andrew M. Wilson

Carton 8, Volume 85

Complete testimony of Andrew M. Wilson at the Calhoun trial

Carton 8, Volume 86

Complete testimony of supervisors Nicholas, Coleman, Philips, Kelly at the Calhoun trial

Carton 8, Volume 87

Complete testimony of supervisors Davis, McGushin, Harrigan, Boston at the Calhoun trial

Carton 8, Volume 88

Complete testimony of supervisors Mamlock and Furey at the Calhoun trial

Carton 8, Volume unnumbered

People vs. Calhoun

Scope and Content Note

Examination of Jurors
Carton 8, Volume unnumbered

Argument of A. A. Moore

Carton 8, Volume unnumbered

Regarding Patrick Calhoun on Habeas Corpus

Carton 8, Volume unnumbered

Regarding Tirey L. Ford, Thornwell Mullally, William H. Abbott on Habeas Corpus

Carton 8, Volume unnumbered

People vs. Ruef

Scope and Content Note

Appellant's petition for rehearing
Volume 89-99

Scrapbooks of clippings relating to the graft prosecution