Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1897-12-22
DEFENSE RESTS CASE,
Storm Drain Conspiracy Trial
Slowly Nearing an
End.
NAY 90 TO THE JURY FRIDAY,

Consradtcs stsfemenss made b. LAhiB
ana Coz with Ref. r-nce to the Contract.
Etc Dsni.i Dross TestiG.s In Hs Own
Behalf.
The indications are that the storm
drain conspiracy case. on trial in the
circui; court. will 20 to the jury Fri
day. The defense rested this morn
ing, and after the introduction OF
some rebuttal testimony by the pros
ecudon this afternoon, prepare ions
;sere made for the beginning Of The
arguments TO the jury.
A. ihis mornings session John
Looney was called and denied that
he ever told Cox or LahiG that Mul.
bern was mere figurehead. aud tha,
he and Schnell we've the real con-
tractors. He also denied that LshifI
and Cox ever stated 20 him that the
statements purpor,iDg to be signed
oy them ana appearing 10 the Uaion
Jan. l. 1897, were untrue. The de
tense also sought to show that the
storm drain had actually cost SchbelI
more tbsu the contract price, but III.
court ruled such testimony out. The
court also held thst it could not be
shown that Looney had a contract
with Lahid and Cox for the baildipp
Of his house, Fad that Schnell h4d
nothing to 90 with it.
Frank IA. Kelly was also recalled
and denied the ,lleged conversation.
or statements msde in his Office As
TO who was the real contractors Oh
the storm drain. as sworn {, by La
niif snd Cox. He also stated tha,
the statemen. signed by them ap
pearing in the Up:un was made BY
them AS puoli:ned. and that he had
not changed or altered IL.
Joha Looney was then recalled and
sized IL he was not present at the
conncil meeting when the bids were
opened. and IL be did not Say to Will
ian Edwards that he told Neyin be
might as well make i; $1,000 ~
81. 200 more, which ne denied. The
deieuse then rested its case.
70 rebuttal the people recalled W.
J Otto Gronen, who said that since the
organization u Lieut.. Horney be had
made q careful examination OF the
cement furnished by Nevins TO the
lieutenant for testing. and was salts.
he'd that is was not a Portland &C.
ment, but was q mixture Of Portland
and some other cement.
W. II. Edwards said that he was
pre- 'ent al the council meeting when
the Sids for the storm drain were
iopeoed, and heard Loouey say tina,
he told Nevin to put 81, 900 or 81, POI
more on that bid.
Daniel Crowley John Montgomery
Ben smin Reticker and Roberi
Waits were called in succession, bu,
their evidence was immsterial.
| Stories Vary.
1 Yesterday afternoons session be-
gan with continuation OF evidenc,
on behalf OF Lahif as to his repu.s.
ton for honesty, integrity and obed
fence to the law. Mayor T. j. Me
dill, ex-Mayors McConocbic and
kuox, c. j. Lsrkin, Aaron Anderson
William Edwards and John konosky
ali testified that Lahif bore a good
Reputation for honesty and integrity
Although Lahiff had long list o!
witnesses TO sustain his character
until his reputation was attacked tn,
court limited him TO these seven wit
nesses.
The defendant, Thomas Cox, de.
MED on GROSS examination that
be had solicited Schneli for sum O.
money to remain OF the stand, bu
admiIted that he had called upor
him last Saturday and Sunday a
iSchnelrs request, Schrell sending
Drost to witless to have witness cal
upon him, and asserting that in tina
Interview which Schnell REQ oesteC
should be private. Schneli offered {,
Ipay witness $3.50. which was dui
LshiiT and witness for work OF
Looney's house on the hill, and ths
witness made an engagement to SO,
Schpell last Sunday 10 talk furthe:
about the matter. The defens,
called witnesses TO disprove Cox
statements in this particular.
Henry TapptudoIf and Phil Mile
testified 10 being secre;ed in Schneii'
house when Cox came there Sunday
and TO have heard Cox threaten Il
testify against him unless he woulC
pay him $500. bu, heard nothing
about its berg paid for work OF
Looney's house.
George Schnell and Moilie Sehue,l
nephew and n,ece OF Schnell, Huld,
Smith, his housekeeper, aud Eli.
smith. ser sister, al testified TO Co,
being at SchDell's house Saturca,
snd Sunday. and George Schnell cor
federated Tsppeudorf as to threat,
made By Cox to S,hnell Saturday 4
testify against him II he did no
"cone down" with $50. be and Tap
pertori being ted in the bach
psrlor behind poriiorcs. AID SchDcl
aud Cox icing in the front psrior
John L. BsoSn testified ;hat Lahii
when working on iht j.'l al pavenpoT
said 20 HIM that ttry (neAning Ia
kid aud Cox) ~ould do al they coul,
TO put them (ueaning scsneil
Looney & Kelly in The reni;e tisry
He also testified that last Friday Is
hie approached him scd wanted hin
- 90 10 Sshne.l and strike him 10
ANN ruone.. ha thouCht they ouc-h