The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1876-02-09
A Satisfactory Explanation.

One of the members of the Grand Jury
is Mr. A. w. Perry, of Henry County.
Mr. Perry during the whole session has
manifested desire to bring all crooked
whisky men to justice. He has been
attentive to his duties beyond the efforts
of ordinary Grand Jurors. His questions
TO witnesses have been pertinent and to
the point, and he has displayed a wonder
full knowledge of human nature in handling
the squealers. While anxious to catch
rogues, he has been equally anxious that
they should be caught on good and
sufficient evidence TO that end he has
been cautious, weighing all that each
witness has said, and weighing the witness
too. Evidently he has been satisfied with |
his labors, for he agreed to every indict
meht found.
A few days ago the evidence against
Freisinger, of Milan, was introduced. A
prominent Government official says that
thereupon Mr.. Perry began to act strangely.
Where he had been the cautious, careful
Juror before. he now became the captious,
caviling counsel. His protested, says the
official, a perfect contempt for the evil |
dence, and profound want of faith in the |
character of the witnesses. He pooh
poohed the testimony aud belittled the |
U6SJIH6TS, anu III various ways SnOW6u
disposition to avoid an indictment.
His conduct attracted attention, said the
officer, and inquiry into his antecedents
was instituted. The official says that it
was ascertained that relations of friend
ship had for some time existed between
Mr.. Perry and Mr.. Freisinger, and to this
was attributed the attorney-like aspect of
Mr.. Perry when his friends name was
,nnpkiona1 This npaafal Ettla
among the other Jurors. They had looked
up TO Mr.. Perry with feelings of respect
and eyes of admiration. When this new
phase of his character was developed,
they began to eye him with suspicion,
which was unreasonable, as the testimony
against Freisinger, as reported in the
papers, was by no means strong.
How did he act?' asked aTi36,ne re-
porter of the government official
well, he acted mighty funny. He
was more like a lawyer for the defense
than Grand Juror"
But what did he do or say or think? ?"
''He professed to have no faith in the
testimony or witnesses, 1t seemed hard
to convince him that Freisingcr could by
any possibility be guilty. He sneered at
most all that was SAID about it.
Later in the day some Of the members
of the jury entered the marshaps Office.
They were after their pay. Among the
number was
MR. PERRY.
The gentlemen all looked good-natured
and as they took their hard earned money
they smiled upon it with delight.
A Tribune reporter descended upon Mr.,
Perry like wolf on the fold.
Can | see you privately a ~ Oment, sir?'
Then Mr.. Perry descended upon the
Tribune reporter like the spiced breezes
of Araby upon a cactus Mr.. Perry is Il
hardy-looking Granger He is about 60
years of age, His hair and beard are gray,
and his face indicates decision of character.
What is your full name, sir?" asked
the reporter,
GA W. Perry"
''Are you from Rock Island?"
mo sir. | am from Henry county"
Are you an attorney-at law?"
Mr., Perry began to fire up and look in
dignant.
Il beg pardon" explained the reporter,
meekly, but it has been stated that you
haye appeared in the Grand Jury room as
counsel for Freisinger, and | have come to
ask you about it.
NO sir. am not an attorney at law, -
Tcpllcu am Il
Have you thrown any obstacles in the
way of i1dicting Mr. Freisinger?"
mo, sir; none at all am sworn
Grand Juror, and on that | stand"
Have you pooh nOohed the evidence
against himY"
mo sir. That would be tinbcc0ming u
Grand Juror, OF which | am one | want
you to understand that | don't do such
things"
The reporter was satisfied and turned
away, but MIR. Perry followed him up
Il want you to understand, young man
that am a sworn Grand Juror. and | don
care for reporters or newspapers. / have
my duty to perform, and | am going &c
perform it, and you can't come around
here pumping NE"
This was refreshing, more so than the
atmosphere in that vicinity.
rs it not fact that you have been try
ing hard to avoid an Indictment against
Freisinger?" asked the reporter.
No. it is not"
Have not sneered at the Witnesses
No, have not.
do not know Mr.. Freisinger?"
Yes, | know Frelsinger?"
BY this time the noses of the interview
: er and interviewer were about an inch and
nan apart. L lie Orauu u urOf clutcneu MS
cane and the reporter held his pencil at Il
charge bayonets."
Il have known Freisinger a long time. y
How well do you know Freisinger ?"
How well do know Freisinger2"
Yes, how well do you know Freisinger. >
II know Freisinger very WE'LL"
Are you and Freisinger friends?"
Yes, me and Freisinger are friends.
How long have you and Freisinger beer
friends?"
The noses touched now, and the bystan-
ders began to move back
How long have me and Freisnger beer
friends?"
Eyes; how long have you and Freisin
ger been friends?"
"A long time.
Did you know of Freisinger being impli-
Gated in whisky frauds before you came
here?"
Two noses began to fatten.
No didn't know of Freisinger being
implicated in whiskey frauds before came
here"
We'll, you know it know, don't your"
No, don't know it now, don't l.
Anything more you want to say?"
Il want you to be careful what you print
about me, I've got character, | have.
| can get men right here in Chicago to GER
tify to my character. l can give you all
the references you want about my charac.