The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1892-1907, 1901-11-23
WILLIS SWEET IS IN COURT
ON CHARGE OF EMBEzzLEMEEr
c@ur d'Aiene Citizen IL Ia TroubIe.-mr.
sweet Claims the Money was Given
Him TO Pay Miners Wages aud Used
for that Purpose.


for that Purpose.
The announcement few days age
that Hon. Willis Sweet, who recent
located here with his family, WAS to b,
arrested on the charge of embezzle
ment created general interest in tn
case and was the cause OF much com,
ment. Mr. Sweet was 10 Spokane When
the warrant was sworn out by Mrs. i
w. Baughman, of Lewiston. lie de.
nled that there was ground for the
charge and took the first train for Lew.
lston to face his aceuser without wait
ing Tor the serving OF the warrant.
Ills preliminary examination on the
charge was held in Lewiston Thursday
III the probate court, all the testimony
being concluded. The arguments will
he made on December 8 aud Mr.. Sweet
was released on his own recORbizance
Mrs. L. W. I'aughman, who made the
complaint against the defendant. alleg-
ing that he had embezzled the sum of
| 500, was the first witness examined
She testified that she had given him the
amount in question to buy stock in the
Columbia Cold Mining company from
ID. Z. Gribble and that the defendant
agreed TO return the money or the stock
within 10 days. Her son, Captain liar.
~ Banghman. WAS the next witness.
lie testified that he was called in AS a
witness TO the transaction and that
sweet told him the money was 10 be
used for Purchasing the Gibbls stock.
ID. c. Gribble testified that Sweet had
asked him the value he placed on his
stock at one time, but the witness could
recall no further conversation with the
defendant regarding the matter.
with this testimony the state rested.
after checks representing 500 which had
been given to the defendant as part
OF the 500 was introduced in evidence.
Mr. Sweet was permitted to give his
testimony without questioning on the
part Of the attorneys. lie explained
that be and his associates owned half
interest in the Columbia group of mines
and practically all the Crescent glonp
which adJoins the Columbia.
Mrs Baughman, lie said, had large
holdings in the Columbia aud that he
frequently talked with her about the
as she represented, in bus |
mess way, the interest OF the Lewiston
stockholders
A plan of consolidating the proper
ties developed and this led to an agree.
meut between the defendant and Mrs.
Baughman, Sweet alleged. that they |
should acquire additional holdings in
the consolidated company. lie assert.
ed that al this time force Of men was
al work on the properties and funds
were required 10 meet the payroll.
The witness stated that the two
hundred dollars WAS given by Mn.
l'aughmsn for this purpose aud that
he Immediately went from Lewiston TO
HE mines 10 make the payment to the
men.
The witness then showed by the in
iorsement oil the checks that they had
been paid 10 the workinemen al the
mines. lie said that the matter Of the
Of the Gnbble stock was never
mentioned at the time the money was
received. lie added, in connection.
hat the $500 WAS found to be INSULT
lent to meet the requirements of the
men and that Mr.. Foster, the superin-
endent, was sent 10 Lewiston with "A
etter TO Captain and Airs. Baughman
md secured $500 from the latter. which u,
'as also applied to the payrolls. This .
occurred IN August, 1900 the witness
aud he further disputed the
he statement that the money was given ,
6ny stock, saying the witness. Mrs.
sauehman and Mr.. Gribble met in
pokane and signed an agreement by
hitch each OF their holdings, including ,
he entire Gribble stock, was to be in.
lnded IN the new corporation.
Mr.. Foster was placed On the stand
nd corroborated Mr.. sweets testimony
to the payment of the Baughmau :
hecSs by Mr.. Sweet to the workmen
the mines. The testimony in the =
ase was then announced as closed, no :,
,huttal testimony being given.
A number OF Lewiston attorneys of. /,
red their services to Mr.. Sweet upon :
is appearance there. =