Oakes Republican. (Oakes, N.D.) 1898-1906, 1902-01-03
ANDERSON HELD
To the District Court in
Four Hundred + | Dollar
Bonds.)

The examination of FL. A. Ander-
son, charged by the So railroad with
the crime Of embezzlep paent, was held
before Justice Scott aud lasted for
several days. /
States Attorney Gladly conducted
the prosecution, asshted by Major
Fay, who appeared fpr the company.
The defense was represented by
James M. Austin Oh Ellendnle and
Benz. Porter Of Fullerton.
TIE prosecution started out on the
theory that Mr.. Anderson had made
a confession wheuS in Minneapolis,
aud upon that Theory sought to have
him held. Testimony was given by
the auditing department. of the rail
road company showing rhe shortage
of the station, which shortage is not
denied by Mr.. Anderson, who claims
that it was occasioned by fire which
burned the depot and between six
and seven hundred dollars in cur
rency, some of it being his own.
The story as told bys representa-
tives of the bond company and the
detective Bennett who was sssQn the
stand, showed that when Mr.. Apder-
son went to Minneapolis, after Fex-
planning the fire aAd the shortage,
they suddenly accused him of having
stolen the money anA burned the
depot, aud told him the2%aa "a wit.
ness who sew him do it. NJ. Ander-
son denied it, but they told Mp they
would take charge of him, and cA4ling
Mr.. Bennett, they told him to take
Mr.. Anderson to the sherlff's office
Mr. Anderson, supposing that Mr.
Bennett was ln officer, Went witt
him and was ia his custody all the
time he was in Minneapolis, aud un
til he arrived home. When MIR. Ben
nett appeared and asked Mr.. Ahder
son 10 go with him, aud believing
that he was arrested and about to bs
placed in jail, he tainted, and it wa
while in this condition that the de
tectiyes claim he said hs had ;
dreamy recolle elton. Of having burnet
the depot.
The story was a, very thin aue
Aimsy one, notwithstanding sSfhe ,ex
: hpert workers who concoctef aud car
ried it oat, unawould nqs bs give1
much weight by any Intelligent mai
or a Jury. Tho lacts are that al
agent of a station has no opportunit..
to cover up aGy shortage By burning
the depot, as all his accounts are du
plicated at other Offices and checked
at the general Office, and burning th
: depot would not cover any shortage
g. whatever.
F8s.After listening to all the evjdenc
and the arguments of the attorneys
the court came to the following cor
clusion, which. was rendered in writ
ing and filed:
!. "Whlle there has been much cor
flicting evidence [ find there is
shortage as claimed by the stat
against defendant and | cannot cor
scientiously do otherwise than hol
i. hir. to appear at the May term Of th
District court in and for Dicke
y county to be Sheld at Ellendale
May, 1902. His bonds are fixed
$4OO and he stands committed tt
such bonds aye approved.
1t was the general opinion Of thos
who listened to the examination th'
Anderson would not be held. Tt
quite certain chat the evidence do'
} not show that he was guilty Of er
bezzlement legally, but simply th'
there was shortage, and the cou
preferred to Have the district cou
take the responsibility Of acquittal.
There as!about half dozen pc
pie ready to sign !be bond for $l'
G required byS the court. Arrang
" ments had been made By Mr.. Ande
ts son. Tor certain friends to so on Il
bond, but others in the room volu
teered, and more might have BET
e secured ii they had been needed.
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