The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1886-04-20
RICKMAN'S RELIEF.
The Abrupt Termination of a
Prosecution Which Never Had
ANY Real Foundation.
The Prosecuting Attorney Enters
a NOlle Pros and the De-
PENDANT is Discharged.

has occupied the entire time of the
criminal court fer the past two days,
came to a rather abrupt termination
Yesterday afternoon. as will he seen
by the report of the proceedings of
the trial, given in detail below.
While Mr.. Hickman and his friends
have never for an instant believed
that the trial could have resulted
otherwise than in his triumphant ac-
quittal, vet it has been the source of
no little annoyance to him, and the
complete vindication which he re-
ceived yesterday is no doubt crafty
ing to himself and friends. There
was never any solid foundation for
an indictment, as Mr.. Hickman talked
quite freely in a joking manner of
Graham's attempt to bride him, at
the time when the s25 was ten
dered by the latter.
So far as Prosecuting Attorney
Lamm is concerned, he has, as he
always does, endeavored to discharge
his simple duty in the premises, but
he was no doubt deceived as to the
character of the evidence which would
be adduced in behalf of the state.
Criminal court convened yesterday
morning at s o'clock pursuant to adj
iournment, and from s to 10a. m. the
court room was the scene of
the fiercest legal battle ever witnessed
in Sedalia, and brought forth the ut
most exertions and resources of those
giants of the Queen City bar. Messrs
Shirk and Bridges for the defense,
and Prosecuting Attorney Lamm for
the state.
The contest was based on the ques-
ton as to the sufficiency of the proof
as to the actual commission of the
crime alleged to admit of corabora-
tive evidence.
At 10 o'clock a. m. the question
was submitted to Special Judge
Boutwell,, who, after careful
review of the whole matter as to the
evidence and the law bearing thereon,
decided that the condition of the case
and the peculiar circumstances sur.
rounding it entitled the admission of
the evidence objected to and The con-
LESSONS ofthe defendant would there
fore be allowed to 90 to the jury.
The jury was then re called and the
case re-opened with r w. Barnett
upon the witness stand. Witness
testified that he knew Isaac Graham
he was present at his trial at the No
vember term of court; was attorney
for the defendant, and he examined
Mr.. Rickman; Mr.. Hickman had
stated then that Graham had several
times approached him with offers of
pay for his appointment as city fire
engineer; believe he said he was FIRST
approached before his election. He
could not give the exact language
Of the defendant He believed that
he stated Graham had offered him
$50; that he replied be did not want
any money. Thought that Hickman
said Graham stated that he would
come next day to his (Rickman's)
shop ard bring him s25. This was
after Rickmau's election but prior to
his taking the Office of mayor. Ora
ham came next day and left s25.
Hickman picked it up from the floor
and kept it. He testified that Ora.
ham did not owe him anything. He
stated also that he had sent in Mr.. |
Graham's name to the council and
Mr.. Graham had been confirmed but
was afterwards rejected on a vote to |
reconsider. Afterwards Mr.. Graham |
demanded return of the money but |
was told it had been applied to his
meat account. Some time after
wards the defendant refunded the |
money to Mrs. Graham. He believed |
Mr.. Hickman had testified that he had |
called the attention of several parties
to the fact that Graham had tried to
bride him.
b. III. Ingram, circuit clerk, was
the next witness. He was present at |
the trial of Mr.. Graham. He did not
hear much of the evidence, as he was
busy with his official duties.
Capt. Bridges objected to the wit.
ness, on the ground that only part
could be given of the statement. OBJ
lection overruled.
The witness recollected the defend
ant stating the circumstances of the
payment of s25 to him by Mr..
Graham. and his telling him he did
not want it. 1t fell upon the floor
and the defendant picked it up and
credited it to Graham's meat account.
This was after the election,
but before Rickman's installation
as mayor. The defendant had
further testified that Graham, after