The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1881-05-04
Leseer From DIR. TurneE.

It is said by some knowing one who pre-
fers TO believe q lie rather than the truth,
that DR.. Turner should sue somebody if he
has been foully dealt with by 3 designing
few. Handle them with the law, etc. is cas-
ily said, but not always so easily and success
fully done, and if from the very obscurity OF
cases of conspiracy in general, it IS obvious
that it is not easily proved, even against the
principals, let alone those who remain in the
background and urge on others.
/ will state the facts and then lei others
Judge of the case: Three different tribunals
have | sought redress from, and advised with
the prosecuting attorney, and am told by
them all that while my case would be clear
with the evidence I can produce, unfortun~
ately one of the conspirators would now be
my best and chief prosecuting witness for
subornation Of perjury, matchmaking and
conspiracy. She being guilty Of open per-
Jury IN another case, the Grand Jury was
prejudiced against her oath, and would not
believe it, and feared Q satisfactory result.
Two other justices were then sought to
bring q civil suit, but again [ was told her
former oaths were false and that they would
not believe her, and a chief witness for cor
roboratiVe proof, living some eighty miles
from here, by whom [ could prove black
mailing, has left for another part Of the Ter
ritory, | do not know where, after he thought
the case was determined by the Grand Jury.
TIE girls father knew this mans story. and
can further testify that the party spoken Of
threatened him with blackmail, and told him
he would make me ''come down with five or
six hundred dollars" before / would 60 to
trial. I know, to my sorrow, that such cases
are very hard to establish, but the rarity Of
my case is in the chief witness being herself
guilty before the public of perjury. However
the matter is not wholly at rest by any
means. This same black wretch in human
form came to Benton fleeing from threat
ened retribution, he, as I have been credita-
bly, informed by persons III this vicinity,
having admitted that he had debauched a
white girl fifteen years Of age in St. Paul,
then got possession Of her diamonds, which
gave him away and an enraged father and
friends seeking retributiye justice, he swan
the Mississippi river to save his life.
TO some who have a desire to see and
know more of the falsity Of the charges
against DR.. Turner, and of his complete vim
d~ication Of himself, the following affidavit,
given two days after the disposition Of his
case by the court, with the reason explained
why further proceeding would be q complete
farce, the following is submitted,
TERRITRY or MONTANA, s. s.
County OF CHoTEAU,
Lizzie Hanna being duly sworn says as
follows: II Lizzie Hanna, Of Fort Benton,
Montana, being the prosecuting witness in
the case Of the Territory vs.. w. E. Turner,
and being q girl Of only twelve years of age,
now having read the contents Of this d0cu-
ment, and having o desire to exonerate him
in the case do hereby swear that the said w.
3. Turner never in any wise or manner com
mitted the acts he was charged with, and
further that in the absence Of my father, and
only protector, I was induced and directed
by one Henry Johnson "a mullattto) to swear
against DR.. Turner, Through fear to myself
and little brothers; that johnson told me
would surely follow If | did not SO swear, and
through fear | sWore to that which was not
the case in any degree, and I now eesire to
put his record straight and clear SO far as I
do know Of him; that / make this statement
freely and voluntarially, without any undue
influence. LIZZIE E. HANNA.
Subscribed and sworn to before me this
25th day Of April 1881.
Fl. P. RoLFE, Notary Public.
To ell who desire to know the truth, and
to hear all l expect to say in the matter,
submit the above. Will e. TURNER.
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