The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-02-15
TIE DYNAMITE PLOT.
Gibson 10 Be Tried Before a State Court.
Plan Of Defense.

CHICAGO, Feb. 14-It was decided to-day
to lay the case of George j. Gibson, the al
legged dynamiter Secretary of the Whisky
Trust, before State, rather than Federal
Grand Jury, as under the STATE law it is
possible 10 inflict more severe penalties than
under the Federal law.
a consultation between President Green
hut of the WHISKY Trust and Directors
Voolner and McNulty and other officials
was held here to-day in regard to the sensa-
tional developments of the alleged dynamite
conspiracy of Secretary Gibson. Greenhut
announced that Gibson had resigned pend
ing an investigation. A preliminary plan of
defense was outlined, in which it will be
asserted that Dewar manufactured the ma
chine and that Gibson is the victim of
conspiracy on the part Of United States
officials.
They will assert that Dewar is pra teal
machinist and could have made the Internal
machine which he alleges Gibson gave him.
1t was to be admitted that Gibson was in
communication with Dewar for the purpose
OF obtaining reliable information as to the
output of ShufeldtS, and in case Dewar
failed 10 send the Information, Gibson may
have written him on the subject; that De-
war had an opportunity TO tamper with
GIbSOn'S valiSe after his arrest and before 1t
was put into the vault; that he might have
substituted the infammable matter found
In 1t later for an innocent liquid; that no
such bottle as that containing liquid was in
Glbson'S valSe when he was arrested; in
short, that Gibson may be the victim of a
conspiracy Of when the Government Off
cialS are the dupeS. As to the shares of
Whisky Trust stock, it is to be shown that
they were the property of GlbSOn'S wife and
that he was merely taking them to be de-
posted. In the course Of the interview SUBJ
seguentiy, President Greenhut said that
good attorneys have been engaged to defend
Gibson. He said there is really no motive
for the trust to wish to annihilate Shufeldts
dlstlllery. but there were many reasons for
Shufeldt wishing to iniurc the trust. Dis
trlct Attorney Mllchrist thought the plan of
defense wasn't worth shucks He pro-
nOunced it as a ridiculous story that the
bottles in the valSe could have been
exchanged. The valise was not out of Glib
sons hands from the time he left the car
riage until he reached Commissioner HOyne'S
Office. 1t was then opened in his presence,
and in it was found the bottle. The state
meHt that Gibson did not come here i'll an
swer to a letter from Dewar, but was On his
way to Cleveland to visit relatives, the Dis
trict Attorney branded as untrue, and said
lie had evidence to disprove it, think.
lie added, 'the best thing the trust people
can do is to keep quiet. They may get in
deeper than they think"
COMET EUROPE.
PEORIA, Feb. 14-The belief prevails to-
night that George j. Gibson, Secretary of
the Whisky Trust is we'll on his way to
Europe, and, .aided by plenty of money.
Will endeavor TO escape. One man con-
nected with the trust said this evening that
Gibson had been gone since Thursday
night and will not return. The bail bond
of $4,000. lie said, was bagatelle and con-
Sidered very cheap. 1t was thought best to
get away before any further charges We're
preferred and the bonds increased by the
possible action of the State authorities. 1t
was learned to-day that several months ago
nj nhuG Gad OF n Of n
fifty pounds of dynamite. About a mouth
ago he bought quantity of bisulphide of
carbon and phosphorus at a drugstore.
He learned the secret of the compound from
a chemist, whom he frequently invited to
dine with him and invariably led up to a
talk on the subject of chemicals of this
nature. Finally he had his son 90 to the
chemist and have him prepare small pOr-
ton for experimental purposes. Il Is sup
posed that he then purchased the ingradi-
ents and compounded the mixture. The
formula was arranged for a very heavy pro-
portion of phosphorus. which would ignite
on cloth or paper freely. 1t is learned that
detectives have been looking after the trust
officers and distilieries here for several days,
and hunting for the maehinist who made
the machine sent to Dewar. Gibson has
not been seen since Thursday noon, although
the story was industriously circulated that
he was in the city. At the National Hotel
meals have been sent up 10 his room, but 1t
is not known who eats them. Those In Il
position to know say il is not Gibson.
TWAS rumored late tonight that Gibson
left for South America on Friday morning.
When asked about the truth of the runor.
one OF his friends said Gibson would be out
of the reach of officials in few days. lie
did not know whether he bad gene to Eu-
rope or South America. bqt he would not De
money" said his friend, "and does not Iced
to 1.-Two in Peoria" a1ee