, 1891-06-09
APPEALED TO THE COURT.
A Former Wyoming Man Creates a
Sensation in Court.

Frank Cushman, who became rather
notorious while living at Wendoyer, this
county, has created a sensation in Omaha.
The Bee says:
There was an extraordinary scene in the
United States district court Yesterday after
o Something like a month agoa young
attorney, Mr.. Frank CushmAn of Bassett,
Neb., was arrested on a charge Of having
been connected with some counterfeiting
operations discovered along the line OF the
Elkhorn railroad. He was brought to
Omaha and lodged in the county jail.
Some OF the parties arrested at the same
time were convicted of passing counterfeit
money. District Attorney Baker found
that he had not sufficient evidence to CON
vict Cushman. and rather than fail in the
attempt he had the case dismissed last
Thursday.
But a simple dismissal of the case did
not allay the perturbed spirit or heal the
injured feelings OF Mr.. Cushman, so he
requested Judge Dundy to give him ten
minutes to state ome facts with regard to
the case in open court. Judge DundY
granted the request, and at 3 O'Clock yes
terday afternoon, Judge DundY announced
that he would hear any miscellaneous
business. Mr.. Cushman said:
IF your honor please, | have a matter
that l wish to explain here in open court" "
Proceed" said the judge, and then
MIR. Cushman delivered one OF the most
remarkable speeches ever heard in the
court room.
He reviewed the facts connected with
his arrest and imprisonment. and declared
yehemently that there never had been the
slightest grounds for suspecting that he
had been guilty of committing a crime
against the state or nation.
81 am told that l may go. Yes, | may
go now. after my reputation has been be-
smirched. | may go now and begin again
under a cloud to establish a reputation
that ought never to have been blackened
in this heartless and shameful manner by
sleuths who smile at me because | com
plain of the treatment l have received.
The prosecuting attorney would not even
grant me a trial in which l would have
shown the outrageous nature of this ar
rest and imprisonment. No. | am simply
discharged and have the privilege of 60
ing back to my home with the stigma and
shame OF having been arrested and placed
in jail clinglng to me, yes, preceding me
like a nasty odor.
II was accused of circulating counter
tcit money. Sixty days before these ar
rests were made, before the prosecuting
attorney knew anything about the
counterfeiting, l wrote to Senator Charles
f. Henderson stating that the towns
along the Elkhorn road were being flooded
with counterfeit money. That letter was
given to Attorney Baker, and yet he had
the audacity to have me arrested as the
accomplish in the crime.
Then, turning toward Mr.. Baker, Mr..
Cushman pointed at him with his long
bony finger and in a one of burning in
dignation asked the prosecuting attorney
if he had any explanation to give OF this
extraordinary procedure. Mr.. Baker
paid no attention to the speaker, but
busted himself with some papers on the
table before him.
There was no more reason for sup
posing that [ should commit a crime
against the country L love-" continued
Cushman. turning to the attorneys and
jurymen in the court room, than there
might have been for ~supposing that the
earth was going to swing of its orbit
or that the light Of the sun was about to
fail. l love the country and its laws. l
am a Law abIding citizen. l 90 out from
this court room today with a clear con-
science and a pure record-something that
the prosecuting attorney does not possess"
"Stopl SUopP' shouted Judge Dundy.
II will not permit you to enter upon any
personal abuse in the court room. |
simply granted you the privilege of stating
the facts with regard to your case. and
when you are through with those you
must quit"
Mr.. Cushman then lowered his voice to
conversational tones and said that he was
through. He thanked the Judge for his
courtesy in permitting HIM to explain his