The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1896-04-16
TO PUMP PUBLICANS
NEW WAY TO TREAT J0INTISTS
FOUND IN FORT SCOTT.


Special Petition for n Grand Jury il Filed
by a Mr. Webster Who Then, is Is Al
legged, Goes to the Saloon Men aud Pro-
poses to Have the Petition Destroyed IL
the Jointists Will Give Him Twelve
Hundred DoIlars-They Refuse and
May Have Him Up for Attempted
BIackmaiI.
Fort Scott, Kan, April 15.-The saloon
keepers who are opposed 10 the move
ment now on foot in this city for the call
ing of a special grand jury 10 indict
liquor sellers, have published state
ment that Attorney ]. II. Couch, claim
ing to CT for W. b. Webster. the lawyer
who represents the petitioners, offered
to have the petitions burned without
being presented 20 the court, If they
would pay him leo. The statement
caused a sensation. Couch claimed TO
have been acting as attorney for the
saloon-keepers, and Webster denies hav
ing authorized the proposition. The
petition was filed tonight. as VS. also
remonstrance, signed by 400 citizens.
The court has no alternative under the
law but 20 call a jury and as conse-
quence II saloon-keepers are preparing
10 close up.
The Monitor, Prohibition, says:
Charges of attempted blackmail which
may be hard 10 explain, have been made
against W. 3. Webster, one of the lead
ers in the movement to have a grand
jury drawn, and John II. Couch, an
other well known young attorney OF
this city, and the different persons who
claim they were approached in the at
tempt have signified their willingness
and intention 10 make afidayits to that
effect.
"a Monitor reporter yesterday after
noon interviewed some OF those who
claim 10 have been approached and in
every case their story Is the same.
Henry Neubauer says that Mr.. John
II. Couch came out TO his house last
Sunday and in the presence of Mrs. Neu-
bauer stated that he was representing
Mr.. Webster and that for 81 ,200-Web-
ster TO get 81 100, and Couch 800 for his
trouble-that he would contract that the
affidavits, then in Webster's possession,
proving that the petition for a grand
jury was good, would never be sub
mitted to Judge Simmons. and that the
matter would be dropped, as Webster
would leave the state and go to Omaha.
Mr.. Nebauer claims that he told
Mr.. Couch that he could not raise that
amount of money alone and that Mr..
Couch said that several hundred dol
lars could be raised from the promin-
ent young men who would be afraid OF
being indicted for gambling. He says
Couch came TO his place of business on
Main street and repeated the PROPOSE
ton. Offering to guarantee protection
for s., 200. Mr.. Neubauer says he want
ed witness to the statement and took
Couch upstairs 10 ]. NJ. Stanley's Office
where, before Mr.. Stanley, he for the
third time promised to see that the
petition for a grand jury was destroyed,
providing 81, 200 was raised, and again
he told that he was working as agent
for Webster who, in case the deal went
through was to get tribe $l,l00.
''Mr. Stanley was seen by a Monitor
reporter and reiterated Mr.. Neubauer's
statement which he says was also heard
by two other men who were in an inner
room.
''Hnery Swift was also approached
with the same proposition by Mr.. Couch
.
John Reynolds heard the same offer
at two different occasions by Mr.. Couch.
one time on East Wall street, and the
other time made to Mr.. Swift.
after seeing the different persons
mentioned above. call was made at
the office of Mr.. Couch.
when questioned he could not under
stand why any person wanted 10 start
any such story for, as he did not know
anything about it. He said that Mr..
Neubauer came over to his Office Satur-
day evening and employed him TO see
If anything could be done to stop the pro
Ceedings for a grand jury; that after
a conversation with Mr.. Webster, he
told Mr.. Neubauer that nothing could
be done. When asked IL he had had
any talk with anyone else, Mr.. Couch |
said he believed that he did tell Mr. |
Swift and someone else that IL was i'm |
possible TO prevent the grand jury be
ing ordered.
Mr.. Neubauer was again seen and |
positively denied having gone 70 the |
Office Of Mr.. Couch or having spoken 30 |
him on the subject until he came 10 his |
house Sunday afternoon. He says he |
did not ask Couch 10 negotiate for the /
purchase Of the petition. nor make any |
to him whatever.
mir. Swift also said that Mr.. Couch /
never told him that it could not be stop
ped, but that the last time he saw him.
Couch was still trying 10 get the 1900 /
When seen by a reporter Mr.. Web
ster stated that he had heard the ru-
mors Of an attempted settlement" and |
pronounced them as ridiculous. He
said one Of his friends. in jest. casually
suggested 70 him that the saloon keep
Prs would give $500 70 intercept the peti-
ton and that he replied they might az
we'll make IL a thousand" Further
than this, he says. there Is no founda-
ton whatever for the rumor, or no cir
upon wich such a false re-
port might be based. He says he made
no proposition 10 Mr.. Couch and did
not authorize him TO act as an agent in
such a capacity.
The story has caused a great deal Of
IN this city and Il Is currently
-umcre1 that strenuous efforts will be-
made TO secure the indictments of both
Couch and Webster Tor attempted black
nall
To CURE 4 COLD IN ONE DAY
Take LAXATIVE BromO Outline Tablets. All
lTuggs.s refund the money II II fails 10
.ure- &c
BUCHAN Is STILL mt
soinc into she Battle without HIS Own
Country Behind Him in Need.
OlatlSe. Kan. April IA lively fight
or the Republican congressional nom
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