The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-02-17

And the Whisky Trust Believes Him JnnO-
cent Of the Charge.

cGub ~ tDe Gbnbkcs
CHIcAoo, Feb. 1G.--Ehe whisky trust d. !
rectory held an important secret meeting
this morning, at which the exposure Of the
alleged plot to blow up Shufeldfs distillery
was discussed. At the close OF the meeting
they made the following statement:
eve are holding our regular monthly
meeting In Chicago instend Of Peoria for
the purpose Of ascertaining as far rs possi-
BILE the truth in respect 10 the charges made
against the secretary Of the company. Such
widespread publicity has been given TO the
charges and so many false rumorS are be-
ing spread through the press, that We deem
it our duty to make brief statement.
Since our election as directors we
have devoted our time and best
endeavors by honorable methods
10 the establishment Of the business of the
company on paying basis. We have made
such progress In this direction that for
many months the company has been earn
ing and paying monthly dividends OF one
half of one per cent. equal to Six per cent
per annum on its stock, and has, in addi-
tion, put aside q surplus each month, our
business showing continuously large in
crease in output for every month over the
output Of the corresponding mOnths OF the
preceding years. Outside competition has
nevey been felt as little as during the past
six months. In the midst OF our unexam-
pied prosperity, that anyone interested III
the company should imperil the immense
interests Of Its stockholders by such a
scheme as charged, we think no sane man
will believe. In regard to Gibson We have
| to say that he is q gentleman Of character
and high standing, and he has been faith
full and efficient secretary OF the company,
and that We do not credit in the
least that he 10 guilty Of the crime charged
against him. The interests of the COM
pany will. in our Judgment, in no wise be
affected by his change. Gibson's resIgna-
| ton has been rendered and accepted. Glib
| son, in his letter Of resignation, assures the
directors in the most emphatic terms that
| he il absolutely innocent of the charges
made against him, and that he will, 1T
| justice prevails, succeed in fully establish
ing that fact, not only to yonr satisfaction.
but to that of the whole world The di-
rectors. in accepting the resignation, assure
Gibson of their entire confidence in his
honesty, integrity and innocence
President Greenhut and Vice-President
Woolner said Gibson is still in Peoria. and
all reports to the contrary. are false. They
declared that Gibson would make no effort
to escape. The whisky trust would, they
said, do as much or more than anybody
| else to sift the alleged conspiracy TO the
bottom. Notwithstanding the statement
| by President Greenhut that Gibson is in
| feOr1a, q IFl0uO Oh Lu0 lhCJ0E BAlu 10 bAW
th> secretary of the whisky trust in Chicago
this morning. The purchase of fifty pounds
of dynamite by Gibson short time ago
was explained by Woolner. who says he
bought it to clear out boulders and stumps
| in a tract of land which he had purchased.
| Indicted by State Court.
| CHICAGO, Feb. 16.-Secretary Geo. j. Glib
son, of tho whisky trust, has been indicted
by the grand jury and tomorrow, barring
flight. will probably be again arrested and
compelled to give bail in the state courts
in addition to the $4,000 federal bonds al
ready piled up against him. After hearing
the evidence presented by the government
official regarding the alleged plot to blow
up with dynamite the antitrust Shufeldt
Idistillety. there was a unanimous vote that
mn indictment be found against Gibson
and United States Attorney Longeneckel
spent some hours at his office tonight ar
ranging the proper counts on which the
whisky trust secretary should be tried
The law under which he will be held is con.
tanned in the section of the criminal code
relating to the possession, manufacture and
guilty knowledge of explosives intended tc
be used for the injury of any building ol
p6rSOn.