The semi-weekly tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1890-1891, 1891-02-11
HIS ARREST A PART OF A PLAN.
The Ciphers Used by Him and Donald
Some Of the kilograms that
Were Received by
Owenby
The Montana Legislature -- Miners
Unions Petitions for Favorable
Action on the Eight
Hour Bill.

CHICAGO. Feb. 9.-James A. Owenby Of
this city, who was called to Washington
to testify before the congressional silver
pool investigating committee, returned
today. III don't want to do the baby act
said Owenby, "but my treatment before
that investigation was terrible. Several
of the congressman made every effort tc
render my testimony as farcical as theii
investigation. They asked me hypothst.
ical questions, most of them long ones
and Astounding in technical terms, toul
and five at a time, and then refused tc
repeat them. l was not allow ID to eli
within ten feet of my attorney, and all
my attempts to have the stenographer re-
peat my answers and questions met with
sneers.
"My arrest, | claim, was part of the
plan of the committee to ruln my char
acter and break down my testimony. ]
was honorahly acquitted when the case
came to trial, and now l I'm perfecting
negotiations with my attorney to bring
suit against the sergeant-at-arms and the
house of representatives They cannot
prevent the truth of this silver pool mat,
ter from coming to light. l will make a
clean breast OF 1t in my proceedings
against the house. Cashier j. M. Donald
did not tell the facts in his testimony,
When l swore that he was acting as the
treasurer Of the congressional specula-
tors who were to make money upon the
silver measure, l had proof to that effect.
Donald engaged me to look after the
Washington end of the affair, because he
said he could not trust any one connected
with congress. Here IS TIE cipher agreed
upon between US, WHICH | was to use In
telegraphlng to MIN at New York. This
matter the investigating committee re-
fused to allow me to place in evidence.
1t consists of five words, the meaning OF
which is as follows"
Cumberland-Bill killed for this sea-
son.
Pennsylvania-Bill killed for this week.
New York-House bill passed with new
certificates as legal tender.
New Jersey-House bill passed, but
certificates to be bullion values,
observation-disclosures committee
disagrees.
"Acting upon these tips Donald was
to do the purchasing of the silver for the
gentlemen he represented. | mentioned
two of these-Cameron and Ketcham--
and will give others in due time" 81
have a great quantity of evidence which
l was not permitted to give that will
show that Donald and l had an explicit
understanding in this matter. Here are
some of the kilograms and letters sent to
me by Donald.
June 16, 1890.
j. A. OwENBY: Dispatch true copy re-
ceived. Don't understand twelve hours,
(Signed) DONALD.
June IS, 1890.
Can not come; called on jury.
(Signed) DONALD.
Nov. 80, 1889.
FRIEND OwENBY: The Waddell pa
pers go forward to Washington today
If not in order don't wire unless abso
lutely necessary. (Signed)
DONALD.
Dec. 81, 1889.
FRIEND OwENBY: Yours yesterday re
ceived and Republic IS wired. Will bt
glad to see you when you get here.
(Signed) DONALD.
June II, 1890.
Don't think anything would be gained
from what you propose, so don't spent
anything. (Signed) ID.
Owenby added: II had not been il
Washington an hour before a congress
man (naming a w%ell-known member
came to me and said: 'Owenby, if befor'
you go on the stand you manage to forge
what you know of the silver pool Their
will be $4,000 in it for YOU I told hiu
that 7 did NIT nnad tho mOnavS