davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1897-11-11
RAS. FRENCH GETS $40
First Jury S Verdict Set Aside and Second
Jury Gives Him $1O-He Wanted
$4,000 More.
Some of the Jurors for the Defense, Others
for the Plaintiff, Then Came the
Compromise.

Julius A. Schmahl was the first wit
ness called by the plaintiff, and he
testified as to the alleged libelous arti-
cles, confirming their publication and
the authorship.
Senator French followed by saying
that he was acquainted with Mr..
Schmahl; that the feelings we're
friendly up to the November, 1894,
election; that they we're then un-
friendly; that Mr.. Schmahl did not
support him; that Mr.. Schmahl would
not speak to him nor he to Mr..
Schmahl, but he admitted having CIV
en- Mr.. Schmahl ticket of admission
to the Senatorial caucus in 1895 The
plaintiff then rested.
Judge Bowers opened the case for
the defendants: stating what the de-
Tense expected to prove. At the con-
clusion of his statement Senator
French was called for cross-examina-
ton, and Mr.. Bowers absorbed about
three hours in cross-examining Mr..
French He admitted having been a
reporter for Bradstreet's agency prior
to 1890; said that he had no dealings
with agencies; that he had heard COM
plants relative to reports. He admit
ted his letter to the Dun agency,
which is as follows:
ST.. PAUL, Mimi, Jan. 19, 1895.
R. G. Dun Commercial Agency,
St. Paul, MINI.
GENTLEMEN:-Find herewith copy
of an act which shall introduce at an
early date and now submit for your
approval or disapproval. I am of the
opinion that it will meet the approval
of most of the Jobbers and business
men of the State, basing this opinion
upon investigation and inquiry. Any
suggestions from you will be gladly
received.
Very courteously yours.
E. D. FRENCH.
Personal and confidential.
On the cross-examination Judge
Bowers succeeded in getting French
to admit that he did not have any
talk with jobbers prior to the intro
duction of the bill, but that be talked
with man who claimed to represent
Mays seed house, whom he saw at the
capitol, but to whom he did not show
the bill.
Judge Webber-Did you know him?
Mr.. French-I did not.
Judge-Were you introduced to
him?
Al was not.
The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1897-11-11

The jury in the case of E. D. French
VS. the Gazette went out at 2:3O Tues
day afternoon, and remained out until
10 o'clock that night. The next morn
ing the jury returned sealed verdict,
which, upon opening, was in favor OF
the plaintiff, assessing his damages at
$40.
The second trial of the libel case of
E. D. French VS.. The GAZETTE, the
first one being in favor of the defend
ant, occurred at the court house before
Judge Webber, commencing on Satur-
day afternoon of last week, and con-
tinuing over into Tuesday. There
we're quite a number of interested
spectators at the trial, and at times,
the testimony was considered inter-
esting.
The jury impaneled we're Charles
F. Chester, A. F. Ellies, Fred Basel,
David Parker, Levi Truedsell, j.. N.
Barnes, Thos. D. Barber, S. Pollard,
Albert GOWN, F. F. Hammer, Carl
Otto and Henry Meyer. Only one
talesman was used for the case, that
one being Mr.. Otto.
It required all of Saturday after
noon to get the jury and listen to a
motion to let the defendants proceed
first and prove the case. The argu-
monts on this took the time up to six
o'clock and Judge Webber did not an
nounce his decision until Monday
morning, when he said that the au
thorities were very conflicting on the
right, but he would allow the plaintiff
to proceed.
The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1897-11-11

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Have you good reliable medical book
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The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1897-11-11
they Saltwater they should certainly receive
tender ent-Minneapolis Journal

His remarks we're clear and concise,
analyzing the intent and motives cley-
erly. He was also eloquent at times.
He was followed by the attorney for
the plaintiff, and in the afternoon
Judge Webber charged the jury.
The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1897-11-11
MURDER In FIRST DEGREE.
Grand Jury Returns an IndiCt.
ment Against Gustav
Metag.

Gustav Metag was indicted for MUIR
der in the first degree by the grand
jury of Redwood county, according to
an indictment returned by that body
last Thursday. The Indictment
charged Metag with having, on the
10Th day of August, 1897, in the town
of Sherman, this county and State, fe-
loniously and without authority of
law and with malice aforethought,
killed one Frederick Kuehn, by then
and there shooting him, the said Fred
erich Kuehn, with pistol commonly
known as and called revolver.
Metag was arraigned to plead to
the indictment Thursday afternoon.
He had been shaved shortly before,
wore a mustache, short coat, and did
not seem to be affected very much.
Somerville & Olsen we're announced
as his attorneys, and Mr.. Somerville
asked until Friday morning to enter
his plea.
On Friday morning Mr.. Somerville
asked until Saturday morning to enter
a plea, or the privilege of withdrawing
the plea at that time and demurring
to the indictment. This was not al
lowed but continuance until Friday
afternoon was granted. At that time
a demurrer to the indictment was en-
tered on the ground that he was not
regularly indicted by the regular
grand jury and that one OF the grand
jurors, A. G.. Carlson, was absent at
the time the grand jury presented the
indictment. The demurrer was prompt
ly oyerruled and after Metag, in a
loud voice, plead mot guilty" to the
indictment, he was taken back to the
county Jail for safe keeping. Mr..
Somerville stated that he would make
a motion to have the case continued
until the May term of court, as soon
as County Attorney Clague moved to
try Metag.
County Attorney Clague stated
Tuesday afternoon that he would not
move the criminal calendar until Mon
day, and hence Metag's trial will not
occur until after that day.
Wednesday morning the motion fora
continuance of the Metag case until
the May term was argued. Mr.. Som
erville, for the defense, contended that
witnesses were absent. Af-
ter hearing both sides of the case
Judge Webber granted the continu-
ance.
The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1897-11-11

Judge-And you did not show him
a copy of the bill?
Al did not.
Judge-How did you come to talk
with him?
Al can't remember.
On the examination Mr.. French con-
tinued: I thought that the bill was in
the interests Of the jobbers. It pre-
vented false reports and imposed a tax
on the agencies. I also talked with
different travelling men about the bill.
I can't name any of those to whom l
spoke. Judged that they we're trav-
cling men from their appearances,
talk, and the fact they carried grips.
| also talked with men in business. I
can't name just who. Don't know that
I did talk with any, and didn't talk
with any after l sent the letter. [
think I talked with Representative
Jones about it, and also with Senator
Job Lloyd, Who helped draft the bill.
Jones didn't purport to know anything
about mercantile agencies. [ never
met Mays man before the time I met
him in the capitol; didn't know him,
wasn't introduced to him, didn't know
how I happened to talk to him. The
agency was located within two blocks
of where I boarded at the Ryan hotel,
and passed the Office frequently. l
didn't take as much pains as [ should
have to investigate before introduced
the bill. I thought that the bill would
destroy the confidential relations of
the report between agent and agency,
and it didn't occur to me that the bill
practically prohibited agents from
making reports. l made some inquir-
les of profits of the agencies, but |
couldn't tell whom. l didn't take any
particular pains to inquire whether
the license fee of 1000 was just or
not. Didn't think about the bill, if it
became law, would prevent agencies
from doing business in this State.
On direct examination he said he
had great deal of talk with repre-
sentatives of wholesale houses about
the bill, but he couldn't tell whom,
half dozen or more. On recross he
said that he met these representatives
on trains, in hotel lobbies, couldn't
state where or when, couldn't remem-
Der whether they stated their business
or not. He thought that he talked
with Mr.. J. D. jackson of this city
about the bill. He admitted having
kept the bill month after be wrote
the letter, and considered that privi-
lege he had.
At the conclusion of this testimony
MIR. SchmahI was called in his own
behalf. He stated that on arriving in
St. Paul on Feb. 2lst, Senator A. j.
Greer told him that French had intro
duced bill that was "leg- puller"
against the mercantile agencies, and
had written letter to the Dun people
and to go down and get it. On the
following Saturday morning he went
down to the agency, but Mr.. Corcoran,
the manager, was out and that the
clerk had told him that such letter
was received, and that Mr.. Corcoran
had written a sarcastic reply. Next he
The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1897-11-11

u0L IA e. O1o"AOAu3 oPOS1oA NoSoSoi'O
or agent of the Dun people in Red
wood Falls, who told him, after show
ing him copy of French's letter and
the bill that the bill was undoubtedly
a "leg-puller," that his company would
not give down cent.
Mr.. Schmahl also stated that just
after election Senator French, in the
presence of Otto Schmahl and w. R.
Caswell, asked him how to introduce
a bill to get money on them; that his
election expenses had been high and
that he would have to make up for
them. Mr.. Schmahl told him that
from his experience as Senate re-
porter for two sessions the way to do
it was to introduce a radical bill
against corporations and they would
send man around to see him. w.
r. Caswell was called and corroborat
ed this testimony, saying that Mr..
French asked the question, and that
Mr.. Schmahl told him to introduce a
stiff bill against corporations. He
couldn't remember whether this oc
Cured before or after French's cleo
ton. Mr.. Schmahl stated, before Mr..
Caswell was called, that he supported
and voted for Senator French, because
he thought Redwood county was enti
tied to the Senatorship, although he
regretted having voted that way now.
The defense absorbed the rest of the
afternoon in introducing portions of
dispositions given by Mr.. Corcoran,
Mr.. Eustik, the Minneapolis manager,
Mr.. Young of Finch-VanSlyck Young
& Co., St. Paul, showing that no agen
cy could do business if the bill became
a law.
On Tuesday morning Mr.. French
was the first witness called. He stated
that be never told Mr.. Schmahl that
his election expenses we're high nor
asked him how to get money on bill.
His motive, he said, was for taxing the
companies, although he did not want
to tax railroad lands. He also hoped
that the bill would prevent false re-
ports. He wanted it to become law,
didn't intend to solicit bribe for with
holding it, and said that he spoke in
favor of the bill before the committee
and voted against its indefinite post
The plaintiff then presented five
witnesses to prove character. M. E.
Powell, H. G. Baker and D. j. Laird
had heard nothing derogatory to it
during 1895, but George Lechner and
A. E. King, on cross-examination, ad-
mitted having heard that the bill was
introduced for improper purposes and
both heard some talk about money in
with the bill.
The next was a deposition from A.
J. Greer, who recalled the converse
tion with Mr. Schmahl, but said that
be had no recollection Of using "leg-
puller," "boodling," etc., in his con-
versation with Mr.. Schmahl. He also
deposed that he could not recollect
sending Schmahl down to the Agency
after the letter.
Both sides rested and Mr.. Patterson
proceeded to sum up for the defense.
The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1897-11-11

Call and see something entirely new
here in the line of photos.
it G.. G. KENNEY.
The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1897-11-11
S No woman has

NO "OU1du u"
; the right to be .
b e lple S $, sick,
nervous, fretful
burden to her hus-
band. If she is, it
is due to her own
ignorance or neg
lect. If she will
take proper care
of herself and look
The McCook tribune., 1897-08-20
PROSPECT PARK.


James Cain and wife were out
from McCook, Sunday.
Mrs. J. III. Wade visited Mrs.
Jacob Crocker, Tuesday.
Frank and Ed Cain had busi-
ness in this part of the county,
Sunday.
Mr.. and Mrs. r. M. Wade had
business in the county capital,
Monday.
j. H. Wade has been helping
Jacob Crocker stack grain this
week. between showers.
Miss Eva Pickrell came home
from Iowa, where she has been at
tending school for the past year,
Thursday of last week.
The wet weather of the week or
SO has hindered grain stacking
considerable but it assures a fair
crop of corn and has put the
ground in good condition for fall
blowing and seeding, and every
body is happy.
The McCook tribune., 1897-08-20
PLEASANT RIDGE.


A. d. Lord threshed wheat, Thursday.
Mrs. ]. w. Hunter was in McCook, Thurs
day.
The Sunday school Superintendent was alb
sent, Sunday and the assistant superintendent
was late; we hope this will not happen again.
J. M. Jones Sundayed with his brother,
Frank at Trenton, meeting there, by appoint
ment, Mr.. Cornell the state auditor,who is an
old friend of his boyhood days.
]. P. Squire, formerly Pleasant Ridgite but
now of Downey, Cal, has been circulating
around among his friends, this week; he says
it affords him great pleasure to read THE
TRIBUNE in his Cal home especially the items
from Pleasant Ridge and Prospect Park.
For several years we heard the cry, the
weather is so awful dry. But now we hear
the sad refrain, 0 dear, we are having too
much rain. We thought the croakers had all
gone west, and the people here would get
some rest; But alas. we find it was not so, for
some of them did not go; And they cry aloud
in plaintiff strain, this country will soon be
ruined by rain. Now wish there was a good
road to klondike, SO these howlers could go
there on new-fashioned bike; But if they
were there and found pure gold, they'd say it
was rusty and looked dirty and old. We hap
pened to speak the other day, to a gentleman
that was passing this way; Don't you think we
will have good times again, since we are hav-
ing so much rain? His reply: ! don't think
we will ever get along here, we won't raise
nothing but grasshoppers next year, And
everything is spelling wheat and cane, on ac-
count of so much confounded rain
The McCook tribune., 1897-08-20
Liked the Lectures.

Upon the invitation of Prof. Bayston,
Supt Valentine of the McCook schools
gave the boys two lectures the evenings
of the 4th and 5th of this month. The
lectures were illustrated by stereopticon
views and were highly interesting and
instructive to all of u.s. Prof. Valentine
is an enthusiast in his chosen profession
and is eminently successful in his work
He has been Supt. of the McCook
schools for nine years and during that
time the work of instruction has gone on =,
like the building of Solomon's temple,
with never sound of blows, within the
walls of the McCook schools. From
others we learn that his influence has
reached out to every county school house
in Red Willow county and today there is
probably no county i'll the state where
there is SO much regard on the part of the
pupils and the parents for their teachers
sch ool work. Prof. Valentines visit
here with us can not but be helpful to a
great many and his contact with the
teachers especially leaves them fuller of
hope, courage and enthusiasm. School
men like to meet school men and there
is no other profession where there is
more of desire for one member to take
up the good things that another may
have. We shall always be glad to see
Bro. Valentine at our school and we
hereby extend to him our thanks for his
recent entertainment The Industrial
School Journal, Kearney, Nebraska.
The McCook tribune., 1897-08-20
INDIANOLA.


County Teachers Institute is progressing
finely. Quite large attendance.
Our Second nine went TO Cambridge, to-
day, (Thursday), to play ball.
Mr.. and Mrs. Townley from the Beaver took
the train, this week, for Old England, to be
absent year or more.
The Methodist Sunday school went to Bart
ley, Sunday, to take part in Sunday school
convention held in grove there.
The town is full of school marms, and we
have not heard of house being robbed, and
people sleep with their doors open.
Miss Lena Beck started, Saturday evening,
on q. for Monmouth, Ill. She stopped at Red
Oak, Iowa, for few days to visit friends.
John Pickett and Peter Briggle have opened
confectionery and ice cream parlor in the
building south of Harrison's clothing store.
Joe Malcolm, ,Duckworth's new miller,moved
his family down from the county seat, Tues
day. and occupies the Mott house on Fourth
avenue.
{. w. Beck gave chart bible reading at
North Star school house, last Sunday after
noon, and in the Methodist chuch at McCook
in the evening.
w. g. Sheppard left here on Friday last for
sick father. He returned this Thursday morn
ing via McCook.
Rev. w. ]. Crago, John and Grace Beck, Ora
Smith and Roy Kennedy drove to McCook,
Tuesday, to take the train for Benkelman to
attend the District Epworth League conven-
ton.
The McCook tribune., 1897-08-20
VAILTON.

Frank Everist brought in about
| 700 head of cattle, last week.
Rev. Darby will preach at the
sod church, next Sunday; come and
hear him.
Plenty of rain up to this writ
ing, little too much on the un-
stacked grain and millet.
Mr.. Cooper has been helping
his father thresh, this week. Mr..
Cooper, ST., resides at or near Cor
nell.
Neighbor Moore and wife con-
template sightseeing of several
thousand miles. Surely this trip
will be beneficial to them in many
ways.
The birthday party given at
James Hoyt's on the occasion Of
their daughter Vira's birthday,
being the fifteenth anniversary,
was one of the most enjoyable af-
fairs in, that line of the season.
The evening was spent playing
games, social chat, music, etc. Miss
Biiou Phillips presided at the or
gan, and accompanied by the vio-
lin and mandolin in the hands. of
Leila and Lena McMarrin of
Grant precinct, rendered a few
choice selections in very fine and
faultless manner. We noticed rep
resentatives from eleven different
families on the Red Willow side
Of the county line. The ice cream
at the close was another pleasing
feature Of this enjoyable and long
to be remembered gathering.
The McCook tribune., 1897-08-20
LEGAL. NOTICE

J. S. Finch, The Lombard Investment r.,
Richard J. Irant and James Kelly, defend
ants, Will take notice that on the Goth dav of
August, 1897, Ferdinand Veerinp- nIaintiff
hereln; hied his petition in the District Cont
OF Ked Willow county, Nebraska, against said
are to toreclose tax lien under County Tress-
urers ak Sale Certificates Nos. qI7 and oIS
upon the Z. Y n; f. Z section IA, township
snip 3, range 20, W. 9th 2. NJ. for the deI;,-
9uent taxes OF 1893, and subsequent taxes paid
,' rnere9n, Tor the sum of 5000, that there IS
nrITs nov uue upon SAID tax sale certificate sand
eSt ana attorneys fees, and cost of service of
notice, ne tor which sum plaintiff prays for de-
eaeeo Clee 'nat deiendants be reqnired to paw the
same or that said premises NAV be sofa -
satisfy the amount found due. You aTe rs 10
CURED TO answer said petition on or hefdra
oneh one 2Itn ND day OF September, 1857. Dated AuS,
, Pr WIS9Ipp c.. FERDINAND VEERINC;.
lFirst publication August 20 ats,
The McCook tribune., 1897-08-20
RED WILLOW.

The Dickson boys are again at
home in this precinct.
John Hummer if threshing for
Elias Crockford at this writing.
Last Saturday evening there was
a pleasant party at Mr.. L. Miller's.
Rev. Vivian preached an impress
sive sermon at Red Willow school
house Sunday evening.
Mrs. Parson last week was in the
neighborhood of her old home,
south of the river, in quest OF
choak cherries.
A pleasant surprise party was
given Misses Ida and Nellie Cana
ga, Thursday evening. 1t was
sort of farewell for the girls are
going to school at Fairfield. They
will be sadly missed at home.
1t is a pity that we have a hood
lum element in our neighborhood
who delight in tormenting any one
not in their ranks, are disturbers
at church and a reproach to their
parents. Fortunate it is that their
ranks are thin. 1t is quite prob
able that arrests will be made if
any more annoyance is experienced.
The boys are being watched and
people will not long allow their
guests to be insulted as were Mrs.
Canaga's, Thursday evening.
The McCook tribune., 1897-08-20
COLEMAN.

F. Coleman moved Thos. Reals S
millet Tuesday.
APPRENTICE gathered two bushels
of ke-cherries.
j. w. Corner and family went
after choke cherries and got a
bushel and half.
Thirteen landseekers, three
suckers and a beer keg passed
through this town, recently.
Uncle Billy has ten acres plowed
already, ready for another crop.
The soil is in spendid condition.
Mrs. Divine and daughter left
Saturday night for Oklahoma to
be absent for an indefinite period.
A. Pentice hauled out a load of
lumber, Saturday. He needs lots
Of bin room for his big wheat crop.
Roy Coleman went after choke
cherries and got ivy poisoned. His
arms swelled up till they are big
as his legs.
Ell. B. Wales is getting most Of
his wheat in stack. He had over
$50 acres Of small grain and some
hog millet.
The young man that ate seven
ears of corn for supper and five
for desert had the night "hoss"
before morning.
VIM. Coleman received a draft
for 81, 900 as part purchase money
for the old George Fredrick farm
on Driftwood. The purchase price
was $1,750. The purchaser is an
Iowa man and he wants to move
on about the LIST of October
There was good congregation
at the Coleman school house, Sab
bath last, but were disappointed in
hearing the gospel, as the Rev.
Long failed to appear. Some
present had come over five
miles. Judging by the past there
will be no more regular preaching
at this point until after conference.