The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-04-23

tOrney to get Ritchie to talk. Are
we, then, going to be charged with
fixing or bribing Ritchie not to talk:
l don't know why Ritchie failed in his
memory so suddenly. 1t may be his
best interest to say nothing; it may
be that he might incriminate him.
self if he testified and told the truth
There are some matters that the de.
Tense would like to explain away, but
we have not the power Of the govern
ment to get evidence. 1t does not
matter to the jury in this case what
Richie testified to in another court.
Sorg denies that he knew how the
mOulds came in his house, and his
testimony must be considered. The
time that the mould was put in
the house was the night that Drake
and Ritchie slept there. Sorg had
previously abandoned the house and
did not return there. Mr.. Hughes
spoke for half an hour.
District Attorney Stringer said
that it was not every case that pre-
sented the novel features that this
does. There was DR.. Jeckyll and
Mr.. Hyde here, only that it was 81
didn't do it" there, and it is 81 don't
remember" here. Brothers-in-law
and with family interests, the jury
can reflect on this matter. In order
that there may not be a miscarriage
of justice, there are some things to
be considered, other than what the
attorney for the defense referred to.
The moulds were found in closet in
Sorg's house, covered with old rags.
If Sorg had abandoned his
house, he left his wife and
child there. 1t was his home.
and as the moulds were found there
they were as much in his possession
as though they had been found in his
pocket. That the moulds were placed
there by Drake and Ritchie is merely
the suggestion and insinuation of the
attorney. The moulds were handed
to Constable Allyn, and by him to
Capt. Walsh, who has produced them
in court. This is the tracing of the
moulds. Sieman said that the con-
versation took place in a room where
the most of the people were gathered
around an organ singing, and he and
Sorg were some distance away. There
was no other subject .of conversation
between them than counterfeiting
when Sorg said that if he had one
more tool he would have a complete
set. There was no talk of dehorning
cattle or any other matter except
the conversation be-
ing about the counterfeiting done by
a Morristown man. Shortly after
this conversation, the moulds were
found in Sorg's possession. After
Sorg's arrest, he told Mr.. Reynolds
that he did mot deny that the
moulds were in his possession and
had been kicking about his house
for year. This being true, what be-
comes of the counsel's insinuation
that the moulds had been placed
there by Drake and Ritchie after
Sorg had left the premises? The in
terest which the defendant has in
his statement must be con-
sidered in weighing his evidence.
Geo. Ritchie lied when he went on
the stand and said that he did not
remember. l might picture the scene
when Ritchie stood in the state court
and testified, when he stood in this
court six mouths ago and said he
feared to testify, and when he was in
Capt. Walsh's Office. While 1 have
not the right to tell what he testified !
to, have the right and the jury has
the right to draw conclusions as to |
the reason for his lapse of memory.
He could not fear the consequences,
as no one ever suffers for telling the |
truth. His sister is Sorg's wife.
What other motive could he have |
other than to protect Sorg? 1t would |
have been inconsistent had Ritchie
Mr.. Hughes other than as
he had answered other questions
with, 81 don't remember" If Geo.
W. Allyn's character is as Mr.. Hughes
mas insinuated, would it not have
oeen impeached on the stand, instead
If mere insinuations being cast? How
about Sorg? You see there picture
rom which the eye of an honest man
must turn. Mr.. Stringer spoke for
jhirty-fve minutes.
Judge Lochren then proceeded to
instruct the jury. He said that the
'ffense charged is very serious one.
It is of the utmost Importance to
business interests that the currency
# the country be pure and free from
Furious coins. 1t is necessary that
he people have confidence in the :
oinage of the country, otherwise