The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1882-09-22
DECISIONS TALH.
ST ARTLING, IF TRUE.

WAsHIEGroS, Sept 12-Dioksons at
tention having been called to published
interview with Merrick, in which be
made remarks rejecting upon his integ
rity, Dickson replied: ~ ell il may suit
Merrick to fret and fume and say uRkind
and unjust things about men who we're
sworn 10 perform their duty and perform
ed TINT trust in a fearless and conscious
manner according to their honest convic-
lions OF law and evidence, but if he will
turn his attention 10 the Department OF
Justice, Of which he is now gu officer. and
purify the atmosphere OF that Institution,
and AID in exposing the attempted bribs
cry charges and corrupt practices Of his
subordinaies, he viii DO the government
a good service. No one has higher ap
probation OF Merrick than have, and
have even priced bis friendship, and
oubt IL he was ware Of the damnabIe
transactions which have occurred since
the commencement of the Star-ronte ca
ses. A system OF espionsge WAS estaolis h.
ed by the Department of Justice, and ID
that employ were number OF disreputa-
bic persons, prominent among them man
under Indictment for robbery and self
confessed participant in thFee-card monte
cases lately punished in our court by
conviction OF the men against whom this
party turned States evidence The jur-
Ors were followed and decoys OF various
kinds adopted TO ensnare them into the
commission ola wrong act. Efforts were
frequently made to draw them into con-
versation upon the merits Of the case. l
have read number OF anonymous let
ters, and marked papers were frequently
sent me, all containing matter intended
TO influence my mind. When the regular
pannel was exhausted, extra lalesmen
I 81 an
Messrs. Murray and Tobriner, were selects
ed to complete the jury. sAt once these
men were denounced, their characters as
sailed, and il was openly charged and
| Published that they were the paid agents
Of the defendants. l demanded Of one
gentleman, Mr.. Mnrray, full explana
tion, and one learning the facts Of how he
came 10 be drawn by the marshal as a
talesnan, felt satisfied that be was inno-
cent OF the slanderous charges, and l in"
sisted that Judge Wylie's attention should
DO called to the matter and did So You
will remember the Judge severely criti~
cised the course pursued by the newspa-
pers, and defended he jury from the i'm
putations cast upon them. Malicious lies
were circulated and published about the
jury being seen lun ching with the defen-
dants and drinking at their expense, all
Of which were false. Iatimidations OF
every character were resorted TO and sys-
tematie attempts made TO terrorize the
| jury by threatening them. Some Of them
were charged with drunkenness. One OF
them, Halmead, Informed me early in the
proceedings that lawyer named Falls
had interviewed him, telling MIN be was
an officer OF the Department of Justice,
and he desired him to ascertain by watch
ing my notes as I jotted down salient
points of testimony and report TO him
their import. He tod Holmead he was
authorized to act by the Attorney Gener.
al, and was assigned TO look after him;
that il was a question whether Judge
Freeman or Falls should be delegated to
| take charge of Tiolmead; and nally il was
decided to appoint Falls; he urged Hol
mead to act with him and aid him with
information, and said it would result in
his tFalfs) advancement, and that Hol-
mead would lose nothing by it. / caution
ed Holmead, when be told me in June, TO
pay no attention TO Falls or any one who
attempted to mislead him. Falls repeat
ed his visit to IIolmead at intervals. and
renewed hts efforts to inveigle him until
Holmead threatened TO kick him out of his
store. Our places of business were in va
ded spoilers" our employees were solicit
ted to tell who we conversed with aud
what our sentiments were on the subject
of the trial, and our wives were not safe
from interviewers and overzealous agents
The first personal know ledge had of the
presence Of the jury 'fxer, was when
Henry A. Bowen made proposition to me
to convict the defendants and promised
me S25, 900. His cool audacity was charm
ing, and he Enthusiastically exhibited TO
me his letters OF appointment as spee q
agent OF the Department of Justice