The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-12-06
THE TERRIII TRIAL

SALTWATER, o. T., Dec. 5.-[Special. l.
A sensational feature was added TO the
Terrill trial by the discovery and expos
ure of an attempt to bribe one of the ju-
rors in behalf of the defendant. Late
Wednesday night William Woodwork,
one of the jurors, was seen at a saloon in
company with one George w. Paris, a
leading witness for the defendant. This
fellow Paris had been offering to bet
large sums that the defendant would either
be acquitted or that the jury would fail
to agree. Some money was seen to pass
between Paris and Woodworth, and the
suspicious of the prosecution were
aroused. Woodwork was called out by
Colonel Jones and Van Martin, attorneys
for the prosecution, and was accused of
accepting money from Paris. He confessed
to having received some money from
Paris, and offered the same to Colonel
Jones, who refused to receive it. Wood
worth also said that Paris had offered
him 500 to hang the jury in the case.
Your correspondent is further reliably
informed that Paris was heard to offer
Woodwork 500 to hang the jury, by
three prominent businesa men of the town,
and county official is said TO have over
heard Paris tell John Terrill, a brother to
the defendant, that he had the jury fixed
and the defendant would be acquitted
These facts were at once submitted to
Hon. E. B. Green, district judge, who inn
mediately ordered the arrest of George w.
Paris and his commitment to the county
Jail. Paris was arrested forthwith and is
still lodged in durance vile. Woodwork
was also put in the care of a special guard.
The jury as a whole was placed in charge
of an officer.
Your correspondent called upon Paris
at the Jail He at first declined to make
any statement, but finally talked about as
follows: MY name is George W. Paris
live on a claim nine miles east Of Guth-
RE. / have wife and three children
They now live at Guthrie, where | moved
to send my children to school l am 81
years old. lived in Cowley county, Kan
sas before coming to Oklahoma, which |
did on April q, 1889. l am at present en-
ployed with the Atchison, Topeka and
Santa Fe bridge gang, stationed at Guth-
rie."
How long have you known Mr.. Will
lam WoodwUrthg"
II have known him long time-don't
know how long. 1t is more than five years /
Since the beginning Of this trial, he and |
nave SlepL together every ulEQ6 w q !
have eaten together, slept together, |
smoked together and drank together
What statement have you to make /
about the charge Of having bribed Mr.. |
WoodwOrth?'
There is not a word of truth in it. I /
have TOO much respect for him to 90 so. !
have never given him any money nor |
offered him any. | nave none 10 give him |
l am poor man and couldn't bri0e any
one"
1T is rumored that Mr.. Woodwork has |
confessed the matter and offered TO give |
back what money he has left. What have /
You 10 say to that?'
1T is all lie Mr.. Woodwork will 4
never tell me that bribed him or offered /
to bride him, nor will he tell any one else /
SO. Ii Is all put-up job. aud l am not !
guilty OF any misconduct"
Are you witness for the defendantss" I
81 am
From other sources it was learned that /
Paris and Woodworth formerly lived in 1
Kan, and have been acquainted !
about fifteen years. Paris VIII be dealt 4
with for contempt. lie viii also be mos
ecuted for attempted bribery of the Jurors
The attorneys for the defense when in [
terviewed regarding the matter, expressed 7,
themselves ~ believing that the entire T.
story was made up by the prosecution for /
the sole purpose OF influencing public 4
opinion ana the jury against the defend 4
ants, and denounced the matter as having /
n foundation in fact. The facts viii /
probably be fully known when the pro-
ceedings against Paris for contempt are /
heard. y great deal OF Indignation exists 1
among our citizens at the desperate means /
used 10 thwart the honest decision OF the
jury in the case