Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1881-04-20
PAGES CHARGES REFUTED.
County Attorney Goodwin and MIR.
Burlingame on the Stand.


Burljngame on the Stand.
|. GRAND MEADOW, MIMI. April 10th, 1881.
Editor TRANSCRIPT.
Yesterday for the first time saw Sher-
man Pages published statements In refer
ence to the late Riley trial. AS far as
am concerned would not stoop TO reply,
but for the benefit of the public who
reposed sufficient confidence III my in
tegrity to elect me to the pos ition OF
Prosecuting Attorney of this county, l
desire to publish the facts in connection
with this case. From my first connection
with the case to its final termination, /
have been met with variety of obstacles
to delay the investigation and trial.
At the earliest possible moment after
assuming the Office OF County Attorney,
which, owing to the snow blockade, was
January 18th, weNt to Austin to confer
with Mr.. Page and obtain information in
reference to this case. At that time he
was absent at Albert Lea After return
ing home and on January 18th I wrote
MIR. Page the following letter:
GRAND MEADOW, Mnn., JAM 18th, 1881.
Sherman Page, ESQ.
Dear Sir called at your Office last
Thursday and found you absent at Albert
Lea. desired to see you in reference to
| case of State vs.. Riley. I would like
list Of the witnesses needed before the
Grand Jury as early as the middle Of next
month so as to attend to issuing subpoe-
mas. l desire to have the Grand Jury
take up this case the first business they
do if it can be done, as it IS an important
case and should have prompt attention.
| desire to have the evidence before the
Grand Jury as complete rs possible, so
that on Ike one hand the prisoner should
not escape indictment for the lack of
evidence, and on the other hand that an
Indictment should not be found on Insult
dcient evidence. You will fin NE ready
to 10 my full duty AS prosecuting officer
of this county. GEO. F. GOODWIN.
In reply to this I received the follow
ing characteristic letter:
RAMSEY, January 20, 1881.
Geo. F. Goodwin
Dear Sir:-Yours came during my
absence, and I am now on my way to
Albert Lea, and have only time to say
that it you prepare yourself fully to
attend to the Riley case it will he neces-
sary for you to confer with me IN person
on some day not far distant.
| expect 10 be at home most of the time
after this week and will meet you at my
office at Austin On such day as may meet
the convenience of both. Much prepare
: ton is necessary, and there is no time to
lose. You are doubtless aware tina: thus
far the public authorities have done
nothing towards the punishment of this
crime, neither III the way Of discoverin g
t the criminal, nor in paying the expenses
OF those who have done so, and whatever
is done IN future must be done by the
proper authorities, for private funds and
; private patience with this gross neglect
are both exhausted. l am pleased that
you indicate determination not toEtollow
examples ofnegligence, and are willing
to aid In preventing further disgrace to
the county il this regard.
SHERMAN PAGE.
; After this l made three several attempts
, to reach Austin and was prevented by the
snow blockade. I went on the first :raiF
that went through after the blockade was
. raised, Feb. 10Th, and had an interview
, with Mr.. Page. At that time I succeeded
} in obtaining partial list ofthe witnesses
} and made arrangements for calling {
special meeting OF the County Commls
sioners, to provide for obtaining the
attendance of non resident witnesses,
which meeting was called and held Feb
2Stb, and such provision made. AT the
:----',~" .-fo,'-u ~, MT. rage informed
me that it would be useless to bring the
case before the Grand Jury as he coult
name ten members who would not vote
f an indictment under the most positive
: evidence
! l experienced a good deal Of difficult,
in obtaining the attendance of detective
Wood, as the following letters will show
CHICAGO, ILL, March 1st, 1881.
GEO. F. GOODWIN, County Attorney
DEAR SIR: Yours IN reference to de!ec
tive Arthur Wood is received. In reply
would state that Mr.. Wood is now in the
vicinity Of Davenport, Iowa, on an ope.
ration, but we could get him and send
him there providing our bill is paid. We
have not received payment for our servi
ces and expenses previous to this and we
90 not feel like mourning any more ex
pense without some surety Of its being
paid. Please let me know what will be
done in this matter, and I will endeavo1
TO &c: him there if he IS we'll enough
The last heard Of him, about ten days
ago, he was quite sick.
F. WARNER, Supt.
CHICAGO, ILL, March 9th, 1881.
GEO. F. GOODWIN, County Attorney
DEAR SIR:-1 am just in receipt of yours
of March Sd, guaranteeing the payment
for the services and expenses of Arthur
!, Wood coming up there as witness.
have received word from Wood that he
is willing to come up there and testify
providing man was sent with him a
guard I" protect him from the Riley gang
5 vi course compensation will have to be
Wood. The last time he was up there She
expected he would be protected by the
parties interested, but on several occas
i, ions he was left to take care of himself
and the rascality of the Riley gang are
such that they would not hesitate to pu
I him out of the way If they got chan ce
fI* If you are willing to pay fo
the services of guard, please telegraph
me to send two men on, and then I shall
know 1t is all right and will send a mar
On with Wood on Sunday, and he viii
arrive in Austin, barring accident, or
Monday night. F. WARNER, Supt.
The compensation referred to abov,
, was SO per day and all expenses.
The following is my reply to Superln
tendent Warmers letter of March 9Th:
| GRAND MEADOW, MINI, March II, 1881
F.WARNER, Chicago, III. DEAR SIR
Yours of the 9th instant received yester
day. 1t is the last feather that breaks til,
= cancels back. If you did not wish O
l. intend to send Mr.. Wood here as a wit
1 ness IN the Riley case, why didn't yo,
say so without 80 much circumlocution
III believe this county has already don
J. everything that could, in reason, be aske'
of it, in this matter. The county boarC
/. has provided for the payment Of all nee
> essary expenses incurred by me in prc
: curing the attendance, and for the ez
Y penses Of Mr.. Wood, and other non-res
, ident witnesses. But when you ask US j
. we are willing to pay the expenses of