St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-06-16
is ALL THIS TRUE :?
George Blake Tells Hard Sto-
ries About Officers erich
and Griffin.
Fred Amundson, Eight Years
Old, Drowned in the River
Yesterday.
Beginning Of a Legal Fight
Between City and County
Officers.
Mutual Insurance Represent
Mutual Insurance Represent
ativeS in Town--General
City News.

The much-talked of, much-speculated-
over and very sensational $4,000 dam
age suit of Police Officer John G. erich
against the Minneapolis Tribune was
called yesterday afternoon in Judge
| Smiths court. The suit is brought on
an article published in the Tribune, in
which an eX-policeman named Blake
claimed he overheard ex-Mounted Off
Ger Griffin and Crieh plan to burn the
| latter'S house TO secure insurance
money amounting to $1,000 on the
house and furniture. In his statement
Blake claimed that the two officers
brought pictures, clothing, ETC., to his
house for safe keeping.
Officer erich is we'll known in the
city and has always borne an excellent
| article. He is an artist by profession,
and at the time the article was pub
| lished had wife and seven children.
His wife has since died. Mr.. erich con-
siders he has been damaged to the eX-
tent of $4,000. Charles p. Barker APP
peared for the plaintiff and Judge John
Z. Rea looked after the interest of the
Tribune.
The case was called at o'clock. No
trouble was found in securing jury,
only one juror being challenged, and
that by the prosecution. A large num-
Der OF witnesses were in attendance,
and it was evident long trial had been
entered upon.
The first witness called was George
Blake. He was formerly on the police
force, but was discharged some two
years ago. He had an easy time of it
while under direct examination, but got
considerably ratified" several times
while being cross examined by Mir.
Barker, despite the length of time he
took to answer questions. He used his
handkerchief freely to mop his perspir-
ing forehead, and seemed ill at ease.
Blake in taking the stand started right into
the story of the fire, being adroitly led by
Judge Rea. lie stated that about week be-
fore the fire erich made proposition to him
TO burn his (CIich's) house. He finally agreed
to do SO for S1DO, one-half TO be paid in adj
vance. erich said he had not The money
with him, but would go down to the bank
and draw it, erich then left and they met
again few minutes later at the saloon run
by Blakes brother, at $50 Hennepin avenue,
when erich paid him $50. all in gold. After
wards he gave erich back 81. 80 at his request
The witness stated that erich said he
would get excused TO go to ST. Paul and take
his wife with him, and would leave his chill
dren with neighbors, thus giving Blake an
opportunity TO fire the building He met Of
fcers erich and Griffin late the same even
ing. The latter was TO assist in destroying
the house. They met on Western avenue be-
yond the bridge, and erich said he could get
can or oil. He would steal it. He left and
returned III few minutes with four-gallon
can of gasoline. Griffin objected to using it,
as 1t would evaporate too quick, SO they
poured it out on the bridge. The next day
four gallons of kerosene was got and taken
to Crich's house i'll readiness to start the fire.
Blake then said erich went TO St Paul as
agreed, and that night the witness and Crit
lin went to Crich's house. AS a precaution
they raped on the door and were answered
by Crich's son. They then left. When erich
returned the next day he was mad when he
found the house still standing, and when told
that his son was home had said C. d. the
boy, would not have cared much if he had
been burned
Blake said that Griffin then told erich that
II the boy had been up stairs he would GER
tainly have been burned, to which erich re-
Piled, by God, wish he had been upstairs
Blake continued:
Griffin was drunk the night the house
was burned. He and | went to Crichs
house; Griffin lit the lamp and took some
blankets and hung them up to the window.
He then took the can of oil and poured 1t
over pile of straw. Before erich went 10
ST, Paul with his family the last words he
said were TO Griffin: L will give you S25
extra if you see that everything goes all
right Of the things that he took from the
house before the fire he got some and l have
the rest
The witness stated thathe had known
erich for some time, but had not had
much to do with him until about week
before the fire. After the fire erich eX-
pressed himself as we'll satisfied with
the way the job was done and had no
kick coming"
Z. p. Barker, attorney for Mr.. erich,
conducted the croSS-eXamination.
Blake, how many times have you been ar
rested for crlme?'
''Oh, don't know; guess
answer my question"
Twice
"There is an Indictment hanging over you
now, is there not, and you are out on
bonds?'
'You were arrested several times for not
supporting your wife, weren't your
mo, SIR
Ibid not Crich arrest you three times and
once knock you downs
NO, sir, he did not. He is not man enough
to knock me down.
what are you doing now, Blake, and what
have you been doing since you were dis
charged from the police force?;'
II am not doing much of anything at pres.
ent. Last summer was chief of police of
Golden Valley
What were you discharged from the po-
lice force for?'
II object said Judge Rea
1--WE want to prove that this witness is a
criminal, liar and a perjurer,' exclaimed
Attorney Barker.
The objection was sustained, after
which court was adjourned until 10
o'clock this morning.