Frank Densmore was one of the lawyers who represented Tom Hays, whose embezzling broke the Orange Growers Bank located in the building above.

Frank E Densmore

Frank E. Densmore came to Riverside in 1902 from northern California. Together with his half-brother Lafayette Gill, Frank established Gill and Densmore, a prosperous law practice. He settled into Riverside.

Densmore played an important role in the Tom Hays embezzlement scandal. Hays had been accused of fraud in purchasing right-of-way land on behalf of the Salt Lake Railroad and shortly later of embezzling $100,000 as Cashier of the Orange Growers Bank.

No charges were brought locally in the railroad fraud, some said in part due to the intervention of Judge Joseph S. Noyes. After Hays hid from arrest for three days, he said he would surrender if his case could be heard in Noyes court. Densmore was one of Hays three defense attorneys. The case ultimately was quashed in state court in order to be heard in federal court in Los Angeles where Hays was acquitted. Noyes subsequently resigned and Densmore was appointed to serve out the remainder of Noyes term. Densmore was subsequently elected in November 1906 and again in 1912.