Omaha daily bee., 1874-05-04
HOW 1T WAS PUT UP.
The Irrepressible Rosewater is
interviewed by . "Bee
Reporter.
He Tells How He "Put it Up on
johnson.

that Mr. George Taylor and Mr.. Ed
ward Rosewater are joint proprie-
tors of John Banner, who is max
ing it uncomfortably hot for the
HeraLd's pet in the celebrated con-
ties I'd election case; while in the
evidence of Banner, published in
the local columns of the Herald, an
insinuation is made by means ofthe
sub-head, "Rosewater put it up"
that the said Rosewater was the
means ofhaving Vandergrift, john
sons brother-in-in-law, brought on
to the witness stand.
AS this is a matter of considerable
public interest, we determined to
interview this ir~repressible member
of the Rosewater family. We have
known him for some time past, and
our relations have been for the past
two years, and are now, quite in
innate. Knowing therefore that
we could approach the King BEE
in his hive more easily than any
other individual in this city, we
unhesitatingly did so, and inter-
viewed him as follows:
Rep.-Mr. Rosewater, the Herald
charges you with having put up a
job on Johnson. What do you
know about it?
Rosewater-The Herald is partly
correct when it says l put ''it'' up,
if "it" means the bringing forward
of Vandergrift on to the witness
stand.
Rep.-Was there any foundation
for the insinuatiOn that there was
a combination between you and
George Taylor?
Rosewater-No foundation what
ever, sir. at" all came about as
follows: About ten days ago / met
V~andergrift while / was coming
down from the Government head
quarters, and he asked me if l had
a Job for him, or if l knew of any
place where he could find employ
ment. He stated he had a family
dependent upon him, and that he
was no longer employed in the
Treasurer's office. He intimated
that he could not get along with
Johnson very well, but he did not
give any reason. l promised to look
around and sec if / could find any
thing for him to do.
Rcp.-Did you have any subse-
auent interviews with him
Rosewater-No; have not seen
him to converse with him from that
day to this.
Rep.-How came you to be con
nected with this investigation? 1t
seems that they pull you into most
everything, and then pitch into you
for it.
Rosewater-In conversation with
some Republicans, a few days after
meeting Vandegrift, ! learned thai
there was quite a breach between
the two brothers-in-law, who were
not by any NEAR as close
friends as the Siamese twins were,
The bond that had hitherto bound
them together, had been successful'
ly severed. / have always believed
and suspected that there was some
foul play in this ballot box business
The idea struck me at once, after
thinking it over, that if any living
man knew anything about
johnson, that man would be Van
dergrift. Acting upon this idea
went to John Banner, last Satur.
day night, and told him my idea
of aplan that, if carried out right
would very likely knock the vino
out of his opponent, if my theories
were correct. 1 enjoined the ut
most secresy upon him, and told
him if he could bring it about
so as to have Vandergrift
produced as q witness in court
by surprise, without letting Vande.
grift know anything about the OBJ
ject of his being subp9naed. He
would naturally, if he knew any
thing at all. be liable to let it all
out.
Rep.-What did Banner think OF
this piece of strategy?
Rosewater-He thought the idea
a good one, and agreed to act upon
it, and to carry it out. L enjoined
him particularly to let no one into
into the secret.
Rep.-Was this plan executed as
intended by you?
Rosewater-No, sir Banner
communicated it to other parties,
and on Tue. day a subpoena was is
sued to Vandegrift to appear and
testify on Wednesday. Tuesday
night, as / was informed, johnson
and Vandegrift met and shook
hands across the bloody chasm, en-
tering into a very close "confab"
over the situation. L then told
Banner that the plan would prob
ably fail because of his indiscretion.
Rep.-Did you have anything to
do with George Taylor about Van
dergrift's examination, and have
O talked with him on the subject?
Rosewatei-Yes. George Taylor
called my attention to the fact that
Vandergrift and Johnson had had
a falling out. This information
partly suggested to my mind the
idea of bringing Vandergrift on to
the witness stand.