Jamestown weekly alert. [volume] (Jamestown, Stutsman County, D.T. [N.D.]) 1882-1925, 1896-02-20
MAY TURN The TABLES.
Something About the Business
Likely to Come Before the
Grand Jury.
The Sheriff Busy Serving the
SnbpOenas for That Body
Which Meets Feb. 26.
List of Grand Jurors Drawn
to Consider Certain
Accusations

The sheriff of Stutsman county is
busy summonlng the grand jury, which
Judge Rose has ordered called FOR the
reason that ne was asked to do so by
Gov Allln, to hear accusations against
the trustees of the insane asylum. This
is a most singular and unexpected fea-
ture of this term of court. Before the
not sufficient business to demand the
expense of grand jury and none was
called. The term was short and not i'm
porLant and the petit jury has been dis
charged for some time. The expense of
this new proceeding is likely to be con-
siderable, especially if the grand jury
finds an indictment which will require
jury trial.
It is stated that the governor claims
from the accusations made by certain
parties against the trustees, that it is
important enough to go the expense of
calling a grand jury to determine the
matter to his satisfaction.
The charge against Halvor johnson OF
Offering to take bride, made by 4. +
Wallace and B. w. Fuller, in their testi-
mony in the hospital Investigation, IS one
matter that is no doubt to be brought
before the jury. While the currently
expressed opinion Of the public ia that
the charge is untrue, yet that will not in
ali probability deter hearing of such
charges and an effort to get Mr.. John
son involved in some way that may lead
to suspension. The law holds man
innocent until proven guilty on trial
b. a jury OF his peers, and the supreme
court is resort in all cases where the
accused has not had the benefits Of full
and fair trial.
Mr.. johnson is plain Scandinavian
farmer of LaMoure county, highly re-
spected by his neighbors and by those
who have known him for many years
He lives some 10 miles from LaMoure or
q homestead and has undergone all the
privations and disappointments incident
to farmers life in holding
bis claim. BY hard work and close
economy he has only lately succeeded in
acquiring title to the Same. His repu
tation is OF the best character, his family
ties of strong nature and his home life
pleasant. He is representative man IN
the community in which he resides and
all those who know him and have had
business relations with him bellve him
not only innocent OF the charges brought
against him but many think that he
should have ere this commenced some
action against his prosecutors.
At the coming meeting Of the granc
jury Halvor johnson has = legal right tc
appear in his own behalf to make accus
alton against those who may attempt te
accuse him, which right he will un
donbtedly exercise.
The treasurer, auditor, sheriff anc
clerk of court OF the county Tuesday drew
q list OF 18 persons TO serve as q granC
jury apd to appear at the court house al
10 a. M, Feb. 26. Tue following is The
list:
Geo Strong, Peter Albrecht, James I
Boyd, Albert Thorn, Mike Toay, T
Williams. Charles A johnson, Barry
Ingraham, w Il Bingham, Christ Ander.
son. John Albrecht, Frank Carr, w f
Berner, S A Wilder, Geo Alderman
Henry Sharlow, John McGtnnls and
Matt Arms.
The plan OF those who have brought
the accusations against the trustees IL
to have one or more OF them indicted, il
possible, by this grand jury. In case on
indictment is obtained the accused will
be tried by petit jury. Should such a
jury 6nd q verdict against them they
have the right OF an appeal to the su-
preme court. It is not known what the
nature of these charges are against the
trustees, but it is supposed to be mat.
ters which have beeu heretofore dis
cussed in the newspapers in connection
With an asylum coal contract in which
Trustee Montague IS alleged to be in
some way Interested and the charges
brought against Trustee johnson for an
alleged solicitation OF bribe IN the
Office OF B. W. Fuller. II such an action
ia brought it will have to be heard with
in few weeks and cannot he. under the
statutes, postponed to the July term.
ltis not stated what the business is that
brings the grand jury together at the
time called. The request did not come
through the board OF commissioners, nor
from petition Of 25 taxpayers. 1t is
not believed that any developments in
the Sterling murder case are Of sufficient