Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-09-28
FRANK H. FALL,
The Lawyer Charged with Having, in
the Interest OF the Government,
Attempted to Bride the Star
Route Jury,
Denies That Charge, and Asserts that it
was Put Up as a Breastwork to
Hide More Star-Route Ras-
cality.

WASHINGTON, September 27.-Doubt is
expressed as to the return Of Special Agents
Bowen and Cameron to the Department OF
Justice. Before they return, If they do
return, the probability seems to be that
they will talk with the Attorney-General be-
fore talking with any one else about the
charges Of bribery made against them by
Foreman Dickson, of the Star-route jury. 1t
il we'll known, however, whatever they may
do on their return, that they have already
denied all the allegations made against
them and have reported that the defense
fixed the jury. The Post published an in
teryiew with Frank III. Falls, accused by
Juror Brown of trying, through colored
man named Payne, to corrnpt him, which
runs thus:
'eYou are aware that you are charged with
attempting to improperly influence the Star
route juTyp
81 am; and 1 desire 10 say alphabetically
that 30 far as the government, or l, or any
of my agents are concerned, there have never
been zny attempts made to influence the
Jury in any way in favor of the prosecution.
"What was your connection with the casef"
al was employed by Brewster and Came
ron, representing the government, as = DE-
tectiye, on account of my knowledge OF the
criminal practice around the courts, and OF
the men who make their living by hanging
around there Ny commission began early
in the case and ended abuot July 18TH My
business was 10 ascertain If any attempts
had been or were being made to influence
the Jury or any member thereof on tbs part
of the defense. My specific duties we're OF
a private and confidential nature.
tsDid YOU have talks with any members Of
the Jury during the progress OF the trlslF
"My only talks were with Holmead, snd
that simply on the question of his having
been approached by the defense. J ..id :
few words to Dickson .nd that Dut once, ana
had no CONFIDENTIAL talk with him"
"Had you any positive knowledge that
members of the jury were being approached
by the defenseP
"My only knowledge was derived by my
observation. On the 4th OF July l pre-
dicted in communication to the Depart
ment of Justice that the verdict, when rem
J dered, would be of a compromise character
I and would let off their chief conspirator, OF
| in other words that Miner and Rsrdell would
be convicted and the Others allowed 10 &c
free, and l expressly gave il as my opinion
| tn at with the present jury there could be nc
| conviction"
| sDo you know Payne, the colored man
who Brown, the jurymsn, says approached
| him as coming from you and In the Interest
| of the government"
| 81 may possibly know Payne, bat not by
name. / certainly never authorized any
| colored man TO approach the jury on my o,
ANYBODY else's behalf. l had two coloreo
men ennIoyed to get certain information fol
me, but neither one was named Payne, anc
neither approached the jury improperly;
"You were, of course, constantly IN clos'
communication with the government
ain my capacity as government detective
1 made daily report to the Department o
Justice of all my acts and also results OF my
Investigations IN the attempts to bride uPor
the part of the defense.
| 81 have been approached by three persons
who claimed to have the votes OF certain Ju
rors for sale to the highest bidder. l knew
| the parties personally, but cannot say VIVA
connection they had with the trial"
"Are YOU in possession of positive informa
ton that certain members OF the jury wer
bought?"
II am satisfied that at least two of the ju
rors were in a position to be bought. Wha
two / am rot at liberty, however, to state.
"You think the defense fixed the jury?"
"My own idea is that the jurors, such
were bought, were 30 bought very early Il
the progress of the trial, and in the interes
of the defense know that they were nc
bought by the government or any OF 1t
agents"
"What do you think of the charges pre-
ferrsd by cerixin OF the jury that the prose
cution attempted to fix the jury%
otis my opinion that in accusing. tn
government of bribery they were building
breastvork behind which to successfull
hide their own infamy."
do you think it possible 10 trace thi
bribery down to a definite sourss%
"Hardly, for the simple reason this
4 bribery "a OF the most secret character, an
: generally never known except to the tw
: contracting parties. The true facts in th
case OF the Star-route jury will probaol
never come to light"