Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1900-03-24
The Jury Secured After Two Days
Search. Trial Began To-
day Opening,
STATEMENT BY THE COUNSEL
County Attorney Daatord Opens for the
State, charging Forgery, and ]. W.
Reid Replys for the Defense.

A case which holds more interest for |
the people generally than any which has
come up in the district court in many
days is that of the State of Idaho VS.. 5. |
O. Tannahll, in which the state alleges |
and charges forgery of a GER
tain county warrant numbered 7444,
drawn to the order of G. S. Stockton, a
physician, for medical services rendered
a charge of Nez Perce county, for the
amount of $3.50, and for which the
plaintiff alleges Mr.. Tannahili in his ca
pacity as county auditor did draw an un-
authorized duplicate, thereby committing
the crime Of forgery. On Friday there
was, finally, a full jury box, but it was
not until thirty men had been examined
that this was accomplished County At
torney Danford is assisted i'll the prosecu-
tion by Miles II. Johnson, and the defense
is represented by James w. Reid, Judge
Morgan, George w. Tannahill and l n.
Smith.
The following are the Jurors chosen to
try the case: David Stevens, CIV. Colby,
Carter Robinson, Harmon Whitted, A. c.
Stages, Albert Mack, W. J. DePartee,
Milton Billings, A. II. Chapman, G. G..
Piper, John Shatz, Il. II. Edwards
The case came on for trial al O'Clock
this morning. County Attorney Danfor,l
made the opening statement for the pros
ecution. the facts stated were as follows
At the July meeting, 1895, Dr. G. s.
Stockton, filed bill with the county
commissioners for medical services ren.
dered for county charge, one Ben Mot
ter This was filed and bears the en-
dorsement of the clerk s. o. Tannahill
The bill was examined and allowed il
the sum of S37 so, July al, 1893. A war
=. rant for this amount was drawn July 80
1895, payable TO 7. G. Stockton, whicl
= warrant was put in circulation and ha
!, since been paid by the county treasurer
:, DIR, Stockton not receiving the first wal
rant wrote the auditor concerning IL an
4 in return second warrant bearing tn
!, date of July 20, 1898, for the same amount
$3.50, which warrant bears his endors,
- inent and has passed in the course {
: trade into the hands of the First Nations
=, bank and is now on evidence in the trii
:, of the case as the alleged fraudulei
;s warrant, it being issued without autho
=, by the defendant i'll the case.
~ I. w. Reid answered for the defense
Al II L.. .
oo complaint. He said that defendant Won
TX show that by virtue of his Office as e
officio auditor he had drawn the warra
=, for DIR. Stockton in the sum first allowt
~ by the board but that later, when Il
OF Stockton had "made roar" T.. l.. Pa
to ker, one of the board went TO investiga
al the matter and became convirced that
was better TO allow the claim than
u" stand the expense of a lawsuit, and I
rs order was made allowing the remand
he of the bill. That, further, the deien
As would show that the prosecution "
,;a made merely Tor political purposes, I'll
" II was part of the plan inaugurated
Die the parties in interest to redeem certa
or campaign promises.
Ibe The first witness called by the Sta
was T.. w. Eaves, cashier OF the II
; National Bank of Lewiston, who iden
der fed the signature of 5. o. Tannahlll a
Ugh gave testimony as to warrant No, a
ot7 Tor $37. so, which had been the prope
e Of the bank, and also the second "
" rant, No. 2444, for S37 so, but only SO
the as defendants signature was concern
ink but this one was to L. G. Stockton,
neg first initials differing, and was drawn
,s. July 80, 1895.
>ns- Cross examination by Mr.. Reid de-
RES oped the fact that the warrant had co
,uld into the possession OF the bank from
,ere mer & Co., and by them received Fl
49,, I. F. Pavis & Co and that they con
'o" cred the signature of DIR. Stockton |
$3.50 fectly correct from the source recei'
the Witness stated that Mr.. Stookey,
present clerh aud recorder, had borfo
- the warrant for the purpose OF check
an VI :. up the Office and that he had since Ill
90 - various demands for the return OF sa