Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-11-18
JuryAwards Blacklisted Railroad Con-
ductor Big Damages.
TOOK PART IN The DEBS STRIKE
Failed to Secure Permanent En-
pIoyment Since That Time.
VERDICT OF VAST INTEREST

CHICAGO, November 1S.-Joseph Keller,
butler, valet and confidential man in the
Wallace-ketcham household, and who re-
Gently has become a notable figure in the
ketcham mystery, was put in the "swea,
box" for two hours late last night by Po-
lice Captain Homer. About midnight KEEL
Ter was released on demand Of Attorney
Hansen, who agreed to produce the butler
If the police require him.
Captain Homer does not believe that KEEL
Ter has told all he knows of the Ketcham
case. His story of the trip to Milwaukee
and the subsequent marriage of Ketcham
to Mrs. Wallace the captain still considers
incomplete.
In the sweat box" Keller was questioned
and cross-Questioned. During this inter-
view Keller made the following written
statement:
My name is Joseph Keller. 1 have been
employed by Mrs. Wallace for over a year.
1 have known Mr.. John b. Ketcham for
nearly year. On September "a 1 accom-
panied Mrs. Wallace and Mr.. ketcham to
Milwaukee. We stopped at the Manhattan
Hotel We arrived at Milwaukee about &
o'clock at night About 9 o'clock the next
morning Mrs. Wallace and Mr. Ketcham
went out for drive. They returned about
O'Clock and Ketcham laughed when we
met In the hotel, and he told me he had
Just married Mrs. Wallace. We all came
nome together that afternoon. Over ten
strangers have stopped at the house within
the last thirty days. Mrs. Wallace and Mr..
ketcham have been living together as man
ana wife for nearly year, but the mail
was always addressed to Mrs. Wallace.
About the 1st of October Ketcham came tn
me and told me he had made his will and
asked me to sign it. did so in the pres
ence OF himself and Mrs. Wallace. Mrs.
Ioney. friend of Mrs. Ketcham's, was
the only other person present"
When seen by a reporter after leaving tho
sweat Dox," Keller repeated the substance
OF his statement He denied that he had
represented Ketcham in the marriage cere-
LIohy at Milwaukee and insisted that
ketcham was the bridegroom
IL Is said ex-States Attorney Jacob Kern
mas been retained to defend Keller
me case OF Ketcham against the North
western Company has been on trial for
interest to men employed in the railroad
business.
History of the Case.
During the great strike of the American
Railway Union Ketcham was employed AS
conductor for the Northwestern railroad.
He Joined the strikers and the evidence
showed he attended some OF the meetings in
the interest of the American Railway
Union. Since the strike Ketcham claims he
has been unable to secure steady employ
ment owing to the fact that he was black
listed He obtained several positions. he
Claimed, with other roads, rbut after work
ing short time was discharged without
cause. =. ,-
Not long ago Ketcham secured employ
Eaent with the Michigan Central Elevator
company at kensington, and moved his
family to that suburb. He worked a short
time there and was discharged -..-
The trial throughout was a hotfy contest
ed one on both sides, and several interest
Ing incidents occurred. Once during the
trial Judge Clifford was asked to issue
bench warrants for the arrest of T. B.
Lawrence, superintendent of the Wisconsin
division of the Northwest road, and E. E.
Osborn, attorney for the company. II was
represented to the court by the PLAINTIFF S
attorney that Lawson and Osborn, and pos
sibly other officials of the road, had at
tempted to induce Andrew Stader, who had
heen subpoenaed for the plaintiff, to leave
the city for the purpose of avoiding the
summons of the court.
Matter Still Pending.
Judge Clifford, at the time, refused the
request, and the matter is still pending as
his honor said he would institute an inves-
t;gation after the case was sent to the jury
Many witnesses for both sides were heard
during the trial, and at each session of the
court the room was crowded with men who
claimed to have been deprived Of work in
the same manner as the plaintiff.
The case will probably be appealed