The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1873-07-19
FORT GARRY.
TeIegraphIc Communication Re.
sIOTed.-Opening Proceedings IN
the Gordon Case.

The GOIuOn CabeS
ST. PAUL, MINI, July 1S.-Telegraphit
communication with Fort Garry, which
has been interrupted by recent storm
Is again open, and brings the report Of thu
opening proceedings in the Gordon case
The prisoners were each permitted L
make statements in regard 10 their ConneC
ton with the affair. Merriam said he had
nothing whatever to do with the Gordon
abduction; that Attorney General Clarf
invited him at Scratching river TO go Il
Winnipeg and give evidence, and on ar
riYing at Clark's office he was arrested
and his money and effects taken without
receipt. Twenty.siX thousand dollart
were thus taken from himself, and FletCh.
er's statement agreed with MCrriam's
He denied having anything to dc
with Gordon's arrest. Captain Hoy
said he had been requested to go
to Fort Garry and arrest Gordon
Mayor Bracket, Roberts and others were
present, they gave him the papers fol
Gordon's arrest, and assured him that the
authority was ample at Fort Garry. He
showed Fletcher; Bently and Burbank bis
letters, and learned that Gordon was at
McKay's, procured team and went there
Gordon tried to get away, and called as
sistance, man came at us with o chair
Keegan drew q revolver and told the man
10 stand back; he feared a rescue, and had
no time 10 explain, but only used neces-
sary violence In the arrest; Fletcher was
not there and did not give. orders; he
was not under his directions at any time.
Keegan's statement Coincided with
Hays. Argument iu the case will be made
to-day.
Especial 10 the Minneapolis Tribunc.) I!
FoRr GARRY, JulyIl7-Tho court, thus
far, takes no notice OF the application by
the Attorney General for IN attachment
against MIR. Taylor, United States Consul,
for contempt OF court. The evidence for
the prosecution was all submitted, Tues
day, tho Attorney General rested the case.
The counsel for the prisoner, Mr. McKen'
Zie, claimed right TO introduce evidence
Tor the defence, and argued his point at
length. The Attorney General opposed
the application in vain glorious speech.
Sherin denounced the press over the
line, and accused newspapers of malign-
ing him.
Mr. McKezIe desired TO put Mayor
Brackett on tho stand to prove tho author
ity under which the prisoners were act
ing when Gordon was arrested. The
court ruled itlnadmisSable, but consented
10 hear any statement accused might dc.
sire 10 submit in their behalf; they were
objected to by tho Attorney General, but
the court decided TO hear the statements.
They were then read as follows. Merriam's
statement-After giving his residence and
occupation he said that in Janu0gY or Feb.
ruary last Mr.. Fletcher and himself met
W. ]. McCauley Of this place and enter
ed into q contract to deliver pine logs to
him at Croakston, where the Pembina
Branch Railroad crossed Red Lake River
Lie left Minneapolis June goth, Joined
Fletcher at Oak Lake and went to (1rand
Forks, where we met McCauloy, who ask.
ed them to come 70 Garry. We arrived
here on the 29th OF june, but did not
make any settlement until July Sd. We
told McCauley we were anxious to return
home. McCauley engaged team. About
8 p. M. we started Tor Scratching River,
where we arrived the next morning and
met Mr.. Powers, Attorney General
Clarke, the person calling himself Gordon
and others. Fletcher had some conVersa.
tion with Clarke. l heard Clarke tell
Fletcher that no wanted him to return,
as he wanted to take his deposition, as ho
would be an important witness, and make
the cornerstone OF the evidence. Mr..
Fletcher said he did not wish to be dc.
layed, and Clarke said ho could return
The following day, We then started for
Winnepeg, arriving at T. "; On our
arrival we went to Clarke's ot1ce, wAen
he applied for our names.infull. Clarke
then Ieft and Mr.. Powers came in. He
told US We were under arrest, demanding
everything about our persons. he told
US that he had q general warrant for the
arrest Of parties, including us, and showed
us the warrant. We asked to sec the
Consul, but were refused tho privilege.
We gave up. money, drafts and notes in
our OSBesSion: amounting to,$2BOOO, but
were refused q areceipt ior. our property.
We had TO give up watches and all our
papers, We have had nothing whatever
10 do with tho taking Of person calling
himself Gordon, directly or indirectly.
Mr.. Fletcher's statement-He corrobo-
rated the story as told by Mr. Merriam,
and denied that he was an accessory to
the arrest Of Gordon. He believed that
Lochren & McNair's legal opinion, that
all the proceedings were correct, took no
action that should criminate him. he
was simply asked his advice about getting
A team and as to the whereabouts Ol
Gordon, Had abundant time to leave
before If he had wished, but did not know
he had done anything violating the law.
Captain Hays statement-He said he
had been requested by Mayor Bracket
to get q man 10. 90, to Fort Garry 10 arrest
Gordon. He met Bracket, Roberts and
others in the evening, They gave me
papers Tor the arrest, and asserted they
4sve me full power 10 arrest Gordon
Wherever l could find him. l believed
Brackett 10 be my official supervisor. He
paye me letters to KittsOn, Burbank,
Bently and Consul, together with a letter
Of instructions and two hundred dollars
for cxpenses. Roberts told me ! must be
careful In Rrresting Gordon, as he went
wild and would shoot me II he got a
chance. Roberts said he had sent man
TO Toronto with one of the papers, which
he gave me; but that Gordon had drawn
q revolver and got away. The papers ad.
dressed to the Consul contained legal
opinion which was to give MIR, Taylor.
In case Gordon should be taken from me,
Roberts told me to got an officer and ar.
rest him at Fort Garry, II necessary. So
Gordon did not give me the slip, as every
one seemed to think had legal authority.
| never was promised any reward for
making the arrest, or knew OF any being
offered; had no understanding about the
compensation, took orders from Mayor
Bracket as to the matter, and duly re-
no Agreement Is. 10 the compensation,
/ arrived here on the I'd July, and went
In poaPNh NJ FlhinhDf,