The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1882-09-22
THE STAR ROUTE CASES.

Alleged Attempts to Brbe the Jury-Sensa-
tional Disclosures by Foreman Dickson.
Foreman Dickson's attention having been
rick, in which he made remarks rejecting
upon his integrity, Dickson replied: Well
it may suit Merrick TO fret and fume and
say unkind and unjust things about men who
were sworn TO perform their duty and per
formed that trust in fearless and conscien-
tious manner according to their honest con
viction of law and evidence. But ii no will
turn his attention TO the Department of JUS
tice, OF which he is now an officer and purify
the atmosphere of that institution and
aid in exposing attempted bribery charges
and the corrupt PRACTICES of his subordinates,
he will do the Government good service. No
one he's higher appreciation OF Merrick
than j have, and / have ever priced his
friendship, and doubt if he Is aware of the
damnabe transactions which have occurred
since the commencement of the ar-route
cases. system of espionage was established
by the Department of Justice, and in
that employ were number of disreputable
persons, prominent among them man
under indictment for robbery, and a self
confessed participant in three-card monte
cases lately punished in our court by the
conviction of the men against whom this
party turned States evidence The Jurors
were followed, and decoys OF various kinds
adopted to insnare them into the commits
sion OF a wrong act Efforts were frequently
made to draw them into conversation upon
the merits of the case. / have received a
number of anonymous letters, and marked
papers were daily sent me, all containing
matter intended TO influence the mind
Malicious lies were circulated and pub
lished about the Jury being seen lunching
with defendants and drinking at their ex-
pense, all of which were false. Intimida-
Is.
and systematic attempts made TO terrorize
the Jury by threatening them. Some of
them were charged with drunkenness One
of them, Homead, informed me early in the
proceedings that lawyer named Falls had
interviewed him, telling him he was an Off
Ger of the Department of Justice and had
desired him to ascertain by watching my
notes, as jotted down the salient points OF
testimony, and report to him their import.
He told Holmead he was authorized to act by
the Attorney General, and was assigned to
look after him; that IL was question wheth-
or Judge Freeman or Falls should be dele
gated TO take care of Holmead, and finally IL
WAS decided to appoint Falls. He urged Hol-
mead to act with him and aid him with in
formation, and said il would result In his
(Falls) advancement, and that Holmead
would lose nothing by it l cautioned Hol-
mead when he told me- in June TO pay no
attention TO Falls, or any one who attempted
TO mislead him Falls repeated his visit to
dolmead at intervals and renewed his efforts
to inveigle him until Holmead threatened
TO kick him out Of his store Our places of
business were invaded by 'spotters;' our
employees were solicited 20 tell who we con-
versed with, and what our sentiments were
on the subject of the trial; and our wives
were not safe from interviewers and over
Jealous agents. The first personal knowledge
/ had of the presence of n Jury fixer' was
when Henry A. Bowen made proposition to
me To convict the defendants and promised
me s25, 600. His cool audacity was charming.
and he unhesitatingly exhibited to me his
letters of appointment rs a Special Agent OF
the Department of Justice
A Washington telegram states that Attor-
ney General Brewster has directed the Gov
eminent counsel, by n telegram from New
port TO make preparations for a speedy
retrial of the defendants, upon whom the
Jury failed to agree. He also authorized the
recall of Nj. Brewster Cameron from San
Francisco If it was found necessary to clear
up the alleged bribery of Foreman Dickson