Note 127 — Chapter IX · Ruef and Schmitz Indicted.
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Ruef would not take a check, neither would he accept gold—he insisted upon having currency—neither would he give a receipt. The money was taken to him by Pierre Priet, a French-restaurant keeper. Regarding the transfer of the money, Joe Malfanti, at the Schmitz trial, gave the following testimony:
“Mr. Heney—Q. What did he say you were to get for the five thousand dollars, Priet? A. Yes.
“Q. Yes, what did Priet say you were to get for your money? A. We were going to get the license.
“Q. For two years? A. No, we were going to have no trouble for two years about a license.
“Q. Five thousand dollars a year? A. Yes, sir.
“Q. Now, then, what was said about how the money was to be paid? What did Priet say about how the money was to be paid? A. In currency.
“Mr. Campbell—That is under the same objection and exception.
“The Witness—And that two people, not three, only two people, not three.
“Mr. Heney—Q. What do you mean, that no one was to go with him to Ruef? A. Yes.
“The Witness—Priet said the money should be brought there in currency and paid with two people.
“Q. Did Priet get you a receipt? A. I don’t think he ever looked for any. I asked him about that when he came back. He said: ‘Well, you should be glad to get his word of honor.’ That is what I got from Priet.”