The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-01-31
FOUND MONEY IN HISROON
Surprising Admissions of Witness
in the Clark Case.
The Montana senator Not Affected by
the RcvcIntions-A Member of the
Financial Condition ut the Faro
Table and ut the Rncetrnck.

| The Committee on Privileges and Elec-
/ tons Of the Senate, in its consideration OF
the Montana senatorial case yesterday,
wrung from a witness evidence which
threw light on Montana politics generally,
bat appeared to bear slightly on the is
sues involved. Senator Clark's interests
did not seem to be affected by the dis
, closures The witness was J. II. Gieger.
senator in the Montana Legislature from
Flathead county. When he was nominated
| for the legislature on the Republican ticket
in September. 1898, he had, he said, about
$500. His political opponent for the State
/ senate. Frederick Whiteside, was elected on
the face of the returns, but Gieger insti-
tuted a contest and was given the seat. 1t
was shown by Mr.. Campbell, leading conn
sci for the memorialists against Senator
Clark, that Gieger though without money
when he went to the legislature, soon after
deposited about $1,000 in bank.
Where did goa get that money!" asked
Mr.. Campbell.
From various sources"
state them?"
We'll, / earned five or six hundred dol
lars as member of the legislature"
Then you were paid S. day for the
full term and mileage?"
Yes, sir.
Where did you get the remainder of
the money!"
Well, at poker or faro
How much did you win at pcker?"
Il don't know. think quit about
even
did you win $1,000 at faro?" asked Sen
ator Turley.
u think it vas something under s., 900.
about 81 LEO replied the witness.
Mr.. Campbell asked Where did you
win this money at faro?"
AT Helena and Butte"
who was present when you made this
big winning
Il did not make any big winning
played frequently. think $50 was the
biggest amount / made at one time in
faro"
You were a member of the legislature
and knew it was against the law to gam
ble?"
We'll, did rot do much more than
other offceholders in Montana do
Accounting .or Prosperity.
The witness was made to account for more
Of the money he hsa deposited. He said
that he had sold some stock in the Silver
Key Mining Curpahy for which he got
about 800. He explained how he got the
$500 bill which it was testified yesterday he
had changed for smaller bills at the Union |
Bank and Trust Company OF Helena. He |
had his small money changed at Kalispell |
to a $500 bill. He was coming East. but |
lrala h. a
break the bill to provide himself with |
funds
Mr. Campbell pressed the witness very |
closely about his money and finally Mr. |
Gieger said:
Il cannot go into my private affairs fur
;her without uncovering my property and |
there is hanging over me a judgment so |
unjust that ! never intend to pay it."
Can you tell the committee why it was
that your luck in faro improved so re- 4
after you got to be member Of
the legislature asked MIR. Chandler.
Well. it was not altogether luck. l
have often made big winnings. | went to
Montana when ! was nineteen years old.
the people OF that country, and gambled.
One day on horse race / wen $1,000
The witness testified that he had played
poker at Libbey. and had won some money,
the amount. though, he could not remem-
Der.
Senators Turley and Caffery took the
witness under examination in the matter
Of the judgment. They questioned him
closely, and rather severely. The judg-
ment had been rendered in 1888, and had
been repeatedly renewed.
Mr.. Chandler asked: Then you found 1t
more convenient 10 keep your business
under cover than To play faro. and pay
It off or buy it in?"
The witness answered inaudibly.
AS matter OF curiosity l should like
to know the place where that horse race
was run that you won $1,000 on?" said
Senator Burrows.
1t was at Peoria"
When was it?"
Sometime in July think but the wit
ness could not be positive on this point.
What was the name OF the horse?'
Il thing it was Edith G, or something
ike that"
Senator Burrows wishes TO know is she
still on the track" said Senator Chand-
er. If the witness made any reply TO this,
L was drowned in the loud laughter of the
spectators, counsel, and committee.
Mr. Campbell again took the witness IN
Ter examination. He wanted to know
where Gieger got the money in excess of
hat accounted for at Helena and that
which he had when he reached his home at
.ibbey. The witness refused to tell. and
Mr. Campbell appealed TO the committee.
There was consultation of the members
# the committee and the witness was di-
ected TO answer.
Mr.. Faulkner asked leave TO put ques-
ion and the leave was granted. He asked
( one dollar was given to the witness by
nyone associated with Senator Clark. l
stop one moment" said Mr.. Chandler. ,
don't answer that question until II has !