Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-09-24
SWEENEY GEORGES STORY.
The Tale Of the Race Murder at Chicng
Related by the Crook Arrested in st
Paul.

IIte I0te OF the Race Murder at CHICAGO
Related by the Crock Arrested in st.
Paul.
Chicago Special.
A criminal trial of more than passing in
terest, and one which involves far more than
appears on its face, has been in progress all
the week, and has not yet been decided. The
indictment only charges the crime of receiv-
ing stolen property, but, if a conviction is
the result, two other charges, burglary and
murder, ere necessary consequence. The
case is that of Lesser Friedberg, the pawn
broker, in front of whose establishment CO.
CURED the mysterious murder of Policeman
Race, on the 4th of October, 1878, a muir
der which remains mystery in spite of
the fact that one man is under SEN
tence of death for its committal, and would
have been swung off three months ago but
for the respite gained through writ of su-
persedeas granted by the supreme court.
The same witness whose singularly clear
and coherent testimony fastened the killing
of Officer Race upon John Lamb has reap
peared as the chief witness against the pawn
broker Friedberg; and unless the story of
"Sheeney George" as this squealing &C
complete Is called among the fraternity of
crooks, is broken down or in some manner
discredited-a thing which able lawyers
found impossible when Lamb was be.
ing tried for murder-Lesser Fried
berg will find himself in peril of
his neck's dislocation. The story of
the "Sheeney'' varies in no essential particu-
lar from that which he told four months
ago. he is bright, clever, clear headed
rascal, with genius for narrative of the CO.
gent, condensed atyle, in which his facts are
skillfully massed and connected and with
faculty for quick retort which makes him
difficult customer for cross examination. An
instance of his keen wit occurred when the
counsel for the defense was raking up his
career of crime, an episode in which was his
arrest in st. Paul for an assault with intent
to rob, and sentence of eleven months in
the house of correction. Wishing to
convey the impression that this
particular offense was trivial,
the squealer observed that he would have got
off with sixty days if he hadn't been broke.
CHOW much money would have been re-
question. eOh, about $1O,'' said the ssShse-
ney,' carelessly. eff you had had 80 what
would you have done with it in order to get
lighter sentence?' tsGiven it to the
lawyer was the prompt reply, which COM
pletely parted the shaft and created a
hearty laugh, in which judge, jury, law
yers and spectators took part. At first
this witness, George Freeman by name,
refused to 60 into particulars as to his
history, claiming the non-criminating privi-
lege, but at a hint from the court that in
turning States evidence he had waived this
privilege, he changed his tactics and made q
clean breast of it, and before he had finished
his "reminiscences he had owned up to eleven
burglaries and no end of pocket picking and
larcenies of various grades. But, for all
that, it, is impossible to resist the belief that
this fellow tells the truth regarding the burg
larry which preceded and led to the killing Of
Officer Race. He swears that the pawn
broker, Friedberg, put up the job; gave
counsel as to its execution; furnished in
advance thu money which bought the
navy revolver with which the policeman
was shot; stipulated the price to be allowed
for the stolen silks and velvets when they
should be brought to his shop after dark.
and had already received basketful of the
plumber brought in from tho wagon at the
curbstone where the officer received his
death wound. If all this is true, Friedberp
is guilty Of receiving stolen property, Of bur-
glary and of murder, and it is matter of
very serious Importance to him Whetherv
"Sheeney" Georges testimony is 90 full
credited as it was when mans life was a.
stake. There is another Indictment hang
ing over the head of the pawnbroker, and
the pressure of public sentiment will insure
9 vigorous prosecution of all the charges.