The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1897-12-18
EGAN FOUND GUILTY.
Sold Intoxicating Liquor to Unso-
phisticated Redskins.


phisticated Redskins.
Two melancholy redskins, who a few
weeks ago were gloriously fun of res
ervation fire water, sat in the federal
court yesterday morning and told how
they had obtained possession of the
whisky and the accompanying jag. John
Egan. Who saI near the aborigines, was
the prisoner accused OF selling them
the lightning water.
Two indictments were out against
the defendant, but these, at the sug-
gestion of Prosecuting Attorney Judd,
were consolidated, and the accusation
met by the defendant was that on Dec.
IS. 1896, he sold intoxicants to Charley
Sireech and Pick Murdoch, Indians
living on the Uintah reservation. A
jury was secured by Il o'clock, when
District Attorney Judd made his open
ing statement. J. =. Williams, who
appeared for the defendant, explained
to the jury that he expected to prove
that Major Randlett had threatened the
Indians with removal from the reser-
walton if they did not testify against
Fgan. and explained that the animOsity
of the major towards the defendant
was the result of a long-standing
grudge.
William II. Wayman testified to haV-
ing seen q Indians drunk on Dec. %,
and then Charles Sireech was placed on
the stand. Charles could not speak
English. and so one Charley Reed, also
a redskin, performed the duties of in
terpreter. Sireech informed the jury
through The husky accents of Reed that
he had got the whisky from Egan in
pint bottle, and had paid 81 for it, and
by the thirsty expression he wore when
making this understood plainly indi-
Gated that he would give 81 for a pint
at any time.
Attorney Williams appeared to sus-
pect that Reed was ringing in q few
interpretations on Charley's narration Of
the pint and so took occasion to in
terroeate him about his knowledge of
Christ and the binding force Of taking
an oath. When the religious tendencies
Of the Indian had been sufficient elab-
GRATED upon. Sireech explained that
Major Randlett had threatened him.
but that ne had not heard any threats
directed Al Pick Murdoch
Then Pick was unearthed and put on
the stand to explain things for him
self Pick speaks English with great
aboriginal huency, and he explained
that on the night in dispute he gave
Egan a check for $50. 80. out of switch
Egan took $3.50 in payment of debt
Pick gave the jury TO understand that
at this point his thirst completely over
powered him, and he asked Egan in
gutteral accents for a drink. Egan re-
fused him this gastronomic pleasure,
but pointed out a barrel where he told
him he could find some water. Then
the Indian went there on a still hunt.
and instead Of water found "a bottle of
redeye.
Isaac Eastman saw the Indians loi-
tering around Egan's store, but did
not see them get any whisky.
The jury listened to arguments by
Attorneys Judd and Williams They
then retired to the jury room. and when
they returned Foreman ". II. Dusen-
berry announced that they had found
Egan guilty as to the count which
charged him with selling whisky to
Charley Sireech, and not guilty on the
count in which he was charged with
giving lightning water to Pick Muir
dock.
Egan will be sentenced at 10 o'clock
this morning.