Ashe participated in the first Ford trials. At the time of the later trials he was involved in the scandal of the alleged kidnaping of Fremont Older.
In referring to the men and women employed by the graft defense, The Call, in an editorial article, in its issue of September 26, said:
“The retinue of the trolley magnates, as exhibited in the Ford case, makes a remarkable picture. Behind the expert lawyers of last resort troops a motley train of gun fighters, professional plug-uglies, decoys, disreputable ‘detectives,’ thugs, women of the half world and the wolfish pack of gutter journalism. It must be, indeed, a hard case that needs such bolstering.
“How will Mr. Calhoun square with his protestations of high-mindedness the presence and the efforts in his behalf of such creatures of the slums and stews as ‘Bogie’ O’Donnell and ‘The Banjo Eyed Kid’? Are these and the others of their kidney laboring in the same behalf as friends and sympathizers of Mr. Calhoun or merely as his hired men?”
At the Ford trial, Supervisor Lonergan had testified that he had been followed during a recess of the court. The following testimony followed:
“Q. Was that Mr. Melrose, a detective of the Southern Pacific, who is sitting there? A. I don’t know Mr. Melrose.
“Q. Is he the gentleman sitting immediately back of Mr. Ford? A. That is the gentleman; that is him.
“Q. He was following you around during the noon hour? A. Yes, sir.