The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-01-14
To HUNT CRIME.
The Grand Jury Gathers in
Topeka Today.
Its Main Business Is to Find
Who Committed
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
But Other Matters Will Come
Before 1t.
Names and Business Of Those
on the Jury.

Inc grand Jury 1Or tue present Term OF
the district court began its work today.
Organization was made this morning and
at 2 o'clock this afternoon real work was
commenced on the investigation of the
recent grave robberies; other matters
will also be considered.
The district court room was filed this
morning when the jury was sworn.
After formal business had been disposed
of the jury was called to the box. ex-
amined, charged aud sworn
j H. MARBLE, the Ncrth side justice OF
the peace, was appointed foreman by
Judge Hazen. Sheriff Kepley selected
w. I. Miller of 931 North Madison street
as bailiff. Miller is a red hot prohibi-
ZIONIST. He is quite heavy man with
long red beard.
The personnel of the jury has been
changed somewhat from the men who
were first drawn. Some of the original
ones could not serve and were excused
and others sn bstituted.
There is a plentiful sprinkling of gray
hair in the body. In fact, most of the
jurors are old men. The youngest one
is F. S. Wemple, who is but twenty-four
years of age. He is a student at Wash
burn college.
w. P. Harrington of Silver Lake is a
man of perhaps sixty years of age.
Another young man is w. F. Niece of 335
Madison street. He is rather thin, with
black moustache. He gave his busi-
ness as "candy and cigars"
George w. Porter is clerk in the
treasurer's office at the Santa Fe gene
raj offices His home is at 205 Branner
street.
DR.. J. F. Buck used to be superinten-
dent at the reform school, but his home
now is at /, ,2OS North jackson street.
Ever since 1856 P. T. Foster has been
resident of Topeka township. He IS
not very large man.
Co A. Horn is passenger brakeman
on tbs Santa Fe and runs between To-
peka and st. Joseph. His home is at
221 Lane street and be has lived in To
peka shout 10 years. E,.
A small Dover farmer wita chin whisk-
ers is Ned Cummins. He might pas5for
81 Plunkard or Alvin Joslin. Cummins
ia the man who was arrested for being
drunk two weeks age. This morning
when the county attorney asked him ii
he were an elector he said NO" but
Mr. Stafford added "of Shawnee county,"
and Cummins replied: ''Tes, l am of
Shawnee county"
Mike Trahey is contractor who has
lived in Topeka about % years. Charles
Stevens has resided in the county eigh-
teen years, while James Cook, the col
ored man on the jury, has been here
seven years He is grocer, whose home
is at 819 Center street. The other men
are ]. B, Mckinney, ]. N. Porter and g.
E. Allen.
The Jury was examined by County At
torney Stafford. 1t was not severe and
none of the mem bers we're disqualified.
After they had been sworn Judge Hazen
delivered his charge, taking about 20
minutes. He stated the law governing
such juries. He cautioned them espe-
cally about inquiring into matters which
seemed to be brought before them pure
ly for spite work, and urged them to dis
courage any such proceedings. lie ad-
vised them that anonymous
letters which they would
receive telling of some crime and giving
the names of witnesses usually referred
to some petty neigh borhood quarrel and
said it would be waste of time investi-
| eating clues which were received
| through unsigned letters.
Il hope and know that you will con-
| duct yourselves while in the city so that
no one may cast reflections upon you,"
said the judge in closing
| At 1910 the jury retired to the two
| rooms in the Blackman building across
! the street from the court house, where it
| will hold its sessions. It was found that
the rooms which had been selected ere
| unsuitable from the fact that on account
| of the folding doors between them the
| witnesses in the waiting room could
| hear what was being said in the jury
room. The commissioners made ar
rangements for a back room for the wit
| nesses.
The subpoenas in the grave robbiug
investig cation have all been served be-
forehand so the jury was reedy to take
up its work this afternoon, County At
| torney Stafford will be in constant attend
ance at its sessions After the grave
robbery Investigations. liquor cases and
| other crimes will be taken up.