The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-02-15
WHISKY DEMONFLEES
Gibson, the Dynamiter, Travel
ing Without His valise.
He HAS UNLIMITED MONEY.

=
Attorneys u she Octopus BsglA n A.
ssrd HypotAesis-x Doubt That
tie Fsgitivs was Guilty.
PEORIA, Feb. IA belief prevails to-
night that George J. Gibson. secretary Of
the whisky trust, Is well on his way TO
Europe. and sided by plenty Of money viii
endeavor 20 escape. One man connected
with the trust said this evening that Glib
son had been gone since Thursday night.
and would not return The bail bond of
$4,000. he said, was bsgatelle and con-
sidered very cheap. II was thought best
to get away before any further charges
were preferred and the bonds increased by
the possible action Of the state authori-
ties.
1t was learned today that several months
ago Gibson purchased at . store in this
city fifty pounds Of dynamite About q
month ago be bought d quantity Of BIZ
sulphide Of carbon and phosphorus at .
drug store. He learned the secret Of the
compound from chemist whom he fire.
qucntly invited to dine with him. and in
variabIy led mp to talk on the subject Of
chemicals of this nature. Finally he had
bis son go 10 the chemist and have him
prepare small portion for experimental
purposes II Is supposed be then
purchased the ingredients and COM
pounded the mixture. The formula was
arranged for very heavy proportion Of
phosphorus, which would ignite on cloth
or paper freely. II il learned that detect
ives have been looking after the trust off,
GERS and disiiileries here several days. and
hunting for the machinist who made the
machine sent TO Dewar.
Gibson has not been seen since Thursday
noon. although story was industriousiy
circulated that be was in the city. AT the
National hotel meals have been sent to his
room. but il is not known who eats them
Those in . position to know say it Is not
Gibson
1t was rumored late tonight that Gibson
left for South America Friday morning.
When asked about the truth Of the rumor
one of his friends said Gibson would be out
Of the reach Of the officials in few days.
They did not know whether he had gone
TO Europe or South America; but he was
not to be seen in Peoria again. He has
plenty of money" said 9 friend, land does
not need 10 live in Peoria
CHICAGO. Feb. IA consultation be-
tween President Greenhut. OF the whisky
trust, Directors Woolner and McNulty and
other officials was held here today in re-
gard to the sensational developments Of
the alleged dynamite conspiracy Of Secre-
tary Gibson. Greenhut announced that
Gibson had resigned. pending the investi-
CATION. The preliminary plan of defense
was outlined. in which it will be asserted
that Dewar manufactured the machine
and that Gibson is the victim of con-
spiracy on the part of the United States
officials.
1t was decided today to lay the case of
Gibson before the state, rather than the
federal grand jury. as under the state law
it is possible to iniiict more severe pen
atty than under the federal law. The claim
will be made that Dewar is practical ma
chiuisf, and could have made the Internal
machine which he alleged 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 Shufeldt. and IN case
Dewar failed to send the information Glib
son may have written him on the sub
ject; that Dewar bad an opportunity
TO tampcr with Gibson's yalise after his
arrest and before it was put into the vault;
that he might have substituted the infiam-
mable matter found in it later for an inno-
cent liquid: that no such bottle as that
containing the liquid was in Gibson's va
lise when he was arrested; in short. that
Gibson may be the victim of conspiracy,
Of which the government officials are
dupes. As TO the shares of the whisky
trust stock, it is to be shown that they
were the property of Gibson's wife, and
that he was merely taking them to be de-
posted.
In the course Of an interview subse-
quently, President Greenhut said that
good attorneys had been engaged TO de-
fend Gibson. He said there was really no
motive for the trust 70 wish TO annihilate
Shufeidt's distilIery; but there were many
occasions for Shufeidt wishing TO injure
the trust
District Attorney Giichrist thought the
plan Of defense was mot worth shucks."
He pronounced as ridiculous the story
that the bottle in the valise could have
been exchanged. The valise was not out
of Gibson's hands from the time
he left the carriage until he
reached Commissioner Hoyne's Office 1t
was then opened in his presence. and in
it was found the bottle. The statement
that Gibson did not come here in answer
TO letter from Dew ar. but was on the way
10 Cleveland 20 visit relatives, the district
attorney branded as untrue, and said he
had evidence to disprove it. II think. ~ he
added. THAT the best thing the trust peo-
pie can do is TO keep quiet. They may get
in deeper than they think"