The Northern Pacific farmer., 1881-03-31
SHERMAN PAGES ALLEGED ASSASSIN.

The Grand Jury at Austin Bring in an 1ndict-
ment Against James Riley---His Trial Fixed
for March 80.
The grand jury of the district court now in
session at Austin, Mower county, examined be-
tween twenty-five and thirty witnesses in the
case of the State We. James Riley, and on Satur-
day last filed the following Indictment against
Riley:
John A. Riley is accused by the grand jury of
the county of Mower, State OF Minnesota, by
this Indictment, with the crime of assault with
intent to murder, being armed with dangerous
weapon, committed as follows: The said John
A. Riley, about 8 o'clock in the evening of the
24th of August, in the year of our Lord, 1880,
at the township Of Austin, in said county OF
Mower, and state of Minnesota, without author
ity of law, feloniously and of malice afore-
thought, in and upon one Sherman Page, did
make an assault, he, the said John A. Riley, be-
ing then and there armed with a dangerous
weapon, to-wit: double -barreled shot gun,
each barrel of which said double barreled shot
gun was then and there loaded with gun pow
der and large number of leaden shot and one
leaden slug or bullet, which said double bar
relied shot gun he the said John A. Riley, in his
hands then and there held and pointed at the
said Sherman Page. He, the said John A. Ri
ley, then and there, without authority of law,
feloniously and of malice aforethought. did
barreled shot gun, so loaded as aforesaid, at,
in and upon the head and neck of him, the said
Sherman Page, with intent then and there and
thereby, by the means aforesaid. wilfully, felo-
niously, and without the authority of law, and
of his malice aforethought, hi1a the said Sher-
man Page, then and there to kill and murder,
contrary to the form of the statute in such case
made and provided, and against the peace and
dignity of the state of Minnesota. Dated at the
city of Austin and said Mower county and state
of Minnesota this 18th day of March, A. D.
1881" George W. Clough, foreman Of the
grand jury, in and for said Mower county and
state Of Minneseta.
Sheriff Sheeban appeared in court with Riley
lowing. An immense crowd followed, and in
five minutes the court house was filled to suf-
location. The case in hand was suspended, and
the prisoner and guard too& seats near the
bench. The judge turned his attention to the
all absorbing case, and asked if the county at
torney was ready to present the prisoner. Mr..
Erwin stated they were ready and offered tc
waive the reading of the Indictment. Judge
Farmer suggested that the county attorney read
it, which he did. Riley, being called upon,
pleaded not guilty. Erwin asked that the trial
take place speedily-next week if possible
and a special venire be ordered. George F.
Goodwin: county attorney, desired to have the
trial as early as it could take place. Judge
as it would prejudice the CASE He desired nc
delay, except such as should aid the ends ol
justice. He had noticed evidences of peculiar
and undue haste. Farmer thought the time o1
the trial should be set, and if either party was
not ready a continuance could be made By
agreement, the trial was set for Wednesday
March 80, p. m.