The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-11-18
STRONGER CASE AGAINST DURHAM.
1t Will Today Be Given to the Jury
to Decide.


Today will probably be the end OF the
case Of the state against Aid. George a.
Durham Of the Third ward. The defense
rested its case and the state rested the re-
buttal with the exception that few questions
may be asked the chief witness this morning.
The case is much stronger than the first trial,
on account Of the impeachment OF AID. Peter
Nelson, by members OF the grand jury, ana II
may cut an important figure In the case.
The defense put in the evidence OF dozen
of the aldermen, some Of them members OF
the reservoir committee, on the point as 10
whether that committee met in the morn
ing. The only important evidence was that
of James V. Mulvihill and Dan Baker, both
new witnesses, who swore Durham was at
Midway horse market May 9, and hence not
at the city hall. Joseph Kelley, friend OF
Durham, corroborated this, by swearing that
he accompanied Durham to Midway to look
at some horses. He was also at the Nicollet
house when Halvorson and Richards met
Durham there, and there was nothing said
about the contract nor did Richardson go
away with Durham. for 1t was witness who
left with him. Peter Nelson denied having
been in back room with Durham and Hal
vorson, and here was Mr.. Peterson'S chance.
Nelson went back the state at the last
trial, and did not testify as was expected.
The states attorney asked him if he did not
swear before the grand jury that the three
went into the back room of a saloon, and
he denied it.
The defendant took the stand in his own
behalf and made good witness. He kept
close to the text of the evidence given at
the first trial never hating once. He claim
ed that he was introduced to Halvorson by
Nelson, and that they had drink in sa-
loon. After that Ha,vorson asked him re-
garding the contract and he said he could
not get it if he put up $4,000 He said there
would be something in it if he would work
for the contract for he had lots of horses
and would buy his feed Of Durham. The lat
ter said he could not work for 1t, as he was
for day labor all the time. He was asked
If he could not be seen again that same night,
and he replied that he had to meet Kelley
at Hotel Nicolet and had no time He never
went into back room with Halvorson or
asked him for money.
Speaking of Richards, he denied any OF
the conversations except the one at Hotel
Nicollet, where he spoke only a few words
to him. and said he could do nothing for
his contract. He admitted making the bet
with him about the result of the deliberations
of the committee. He swore that the even
ing Of that day he and Jennings met Rich
ards at one end of the city hall, when Rich
ards stated that he had Sc 900 uD in the office
at the Globe building, which he and Jen-
nfngs might have and no questions asked. il
they would work for the contract. They In
dignantly repudiated the offer.
The cross examination was very short, and
the witness went off the stand after having
been on less than an hour.
Ex-Ald. Jennings told about being with Dur
nam when the $4,000 offer of bride was
made, and the defense rested.
Then came the coup of the state, in calling
Maj. Hale, ]. F. Calhoun, J. NJ. Bartlett and
Nelson Williams, all members of the grand
jury, who swore positively that Nelson had
testified that he went into the back room
with Durham and Halvorson, and said: Now
you have something to talk about, and
will leave you alone"
Mr.. Harrison tried cross-examination on Mr..
Calhoun, but the witness had so good mem
DRY that it was hurting the case of the de-
Tense, and he let him go. This closed the
case for the day.