The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-02-03
BRIBERY OF JURORS.
Grave Charges in Great North
ern Condemnation Case.
SEVERAL JuRYMEN SOUNDED
The Depot Site Case Opens With .
sensation-warrants Dat for Two
Men-Angry World Pass.


from the Columbia and Puget Sound
railroad opened yesterday with THE max
ing OF such sensational charges as
are rarely heard in a coure of justice. It
was announced that some of the jurors had
been approached with suggestions OF bribery,
and several of them who were examined by the
court supported the charge by 4heir testimony.
The men implicated are Eugene Way and J. s.
Edwards. and Judge Osborn isssed warrants for
their arrest
Judge Burke said:
We are ready, but at this poins wish to make
a communication which is patnfui and alarm
ing. I have learned from a eerson whom /
that q notorious gambler OF this city has
approached some OF the jur1rs after they
of a communication: "lf you will take your
cue in this damage suit from t,le witnesses of
the defense il will be worth $1,so0 OF $1,000 l
feel as though owe IL t. the court and to nv
client to make this statement. Is my informa-
ton comes from good authority.
There was the utmost establishment and
almost dismay shown in some OF the faces of
those in the room, as no one knew how serious
the charges would be, or against whom they
would be brought 1t was evident. however,
from Judge Burke's manner that the matter Was
q very serious one.
Judge Osborn: ave will ascestain II any of
the jurors have been approached, and IL SO, by
whom. If VIC find out that anybody has done
this, and that it is not simply rumor-was
this JUROR
Judge Burke: 1.-THE communication was not
made to me by a juror, but l fhink it comes
from the Jurors, who felt themselves outraged
and insulted."
At this point Mr.. Burleigh. csunsel for the
Oregon Improvement Company, inter posed and
said:
If your honor please, must cor,fess that am
very much surprised by the Communication
which has been made by Judge Burke, and l
quite concur with the couet that it is
subject which should be Investigated. II
any such proposition ton has been made
without my knowledge or that of the
defendant. II the statement is true. it should
be investigated, and, If false, exposed, especially
when a charge of this kind comes from a coun-
sci as distinguished the gentleman who rep
resents the petitioner in this case.
Judge Burke then said that perhaps he owed
ii to the counsel on the other sds to say that it
had not occurred to him that he 0he COUNSEL
had had anything 10 do with it. Judge Osborn
then askei Judge Burke for the name OF his in
formant. and, after demurring, he gave the
name of z. p. Shelby. Mr. Shabby, who was
present, was sworn aud asked by she court:
@. Have you any knowledge oe information
that any one has made propositions to the jurors
as to what action they shall take rs such jurors?
A. Yes, sir.
@. State what your knowledee is A. Mr.. F. ].
Wilder, one Of the jurors. could give you better
information on that subject than rcsn.
A. tits " ~ ~ '''' 49, ''''''''
The court then asked Mr. Shelby if he had any
other source of information, to Which the latter
replied that he had not Upon being asked
what Wilder had said to him, he replied that
Wilder said that Eugene Way had called upon
him and said that ii he would take his cue from
the counsel Of the Oregon improvement Com
pany rs to the value of the land he would get
from 81 900 to $1,000 for so doing.
The court then inquired if counsel on Ell ther
side desired TO ask any questions. Mr.. Bur
leigh replied that they did not
"Stand aside them" said the court. "Is +. J.
Wilder present? If so, come forward"
Wilder was sworn by the CLERK, and Judge
Osborn asked him if any one had approached
him and spoken to him in relation to what ne
should do, or had made any request to what
action he should take as juror in this case of
the Seattle d Montana Railway Company VS.. the
Columbia & Puget Sound Railway Company.
Mr.. Wilder said:
Yesterday afternoon was serves with a sub
pena by Sheriff Woolery, who was accompanied
by W. T. Clarke, to appear here at $50. He had
scarcely left the door when ia came ]. 5. Ed.
wards bookkeeper at COnsdine's theater as I
understand il He said "Wilder. ~ you put
on this case D."
sYes?' said /.
He said. Its an important case
Edwards then went on to tell me that the
property was valuable, and that they wish he'd to
get the price for it that il was wortn He said
that he thought that IL was wort $3.50 600 and
during all this time he was looking straight at
and replied that supposed that I,woud have
to CO. Then he said that he was tod that there
would be something in it for me # they got
fair price ont of it,
"W hat do you mean BY saying that Will get
something out of it?" asked.
"You will get 81 600 or 500 If tpey get their
price. and you viii get your cue f-osn the coun-
sci for the Oregon improvement Company"
The court-It was Mr. Edwards wso said that?
u. :. Edwards. asked him whom he was
working Tor. and he said that he WAS working
for Eugene Way, the sporting man.
Judge Osborn then said:
Mr. Clerk, enter an order directing that a war
rant be issued for J. Edwards and Eugene
Way to be brought before the couSt to show
cause, IL airy they have, why they should not
be punished for contempt of court: Put ii in
the hands of an officer and we wiz hear it at
the noon hour.
To Mr. wilder-rs there anything iurther tina.
yon know about this?
A. asked Edwards. show do .hese other
people stand on this, and whom havs you gotf"
He replied, ave have Wilbur, thi man who
ruus the Great Northern chop house. between
mentioned one or two others, and wnen l asked
him, Glow ara they?" he repliet. that they
were "ail right"
Judge Osborn here remarked that he would
go no further in the examination At present,
but that he thought that there was enough TO
peratively necessary that there be further in
vesuga,ion. He then asked IL either counsel
wished TO make any further remarks, and upon
their replying in the negative he asked Wilder
70 leave the stand.
At this point the court and counsel discussed
the propriety OF continuing the casa with that
Jury and Mr.. Burleigh said that he would not
try the case before a jury which hs1 heard Mr..
Wilder's statements. The court fna:y decided
that the case shouid come up before new panel
of Jurors. and dismissed the old one. Mr.. Bur-
leigh offered To try the case Wit hout a jury,
leaving the matter OF damages with the court,
but the other counsel would not thea consent
20.
BEFORE the Jury left the room the c.srk called
their names aud thoy took their Eeats in the
box. Judge Osborne then said:
Forthe purpose of ascertaining an9 inforrna.
ton that the court may be able 10 get rom these
jurors they may be sworn TO answer questions
propolflded 20 them by the court In relation to
this matter, the alleged attempt 30 corrupt
Jurors.
He then ordered the Jurors to be sworn, and
Juror Reisiuger testified as follows:
No one approached me or spoke to sne in such
way 40 TO influence my conduct or action as
juror, nor do Know of any other juror having
been approached or spoken 10 upen the sub
ject. On yesterday morning on my way TO court
l stepped into Harry " hite's Office azi found
party in there ] do not remela Der Just
who they We're. I said that | had been
subpGnaed as Juror in the condefnnat on
duty 10 the citv," but could not se. who he
VS.. for my back was turned 10 him, az ! was
watching for car. | replied, however, that
| thought / was ole enough TO de- my duty