The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-06-05

SSSI4
the 'tbig mitt" joints and had seen him
in conversation with BILLY" Edwards,
Link" Crossman and the "steerers" of
the joints in front of or near these places.
Christopher Bjork, a young man
smoothly shaver and self-possessed, was
the next one called by AL ]. Smith. The
witness was acquainted with, Edwards,
Howard, Johnson, Holmberg, Henderson,
Miller and all the others whose names
have been so freely used In connection
With the 'tbig mitt" operations.
Bjork like the other witnesses located
the poker or big mitt joints at 327 Sec
ond avenue S, 242 Fourth avenue S, 80
Washington avenue s, 80 Sixth street s.
and another at Second avenue south near
Sixth street. = 49, -
He admitted that the "steerers' re-
ceived a commission of As per cent, but
refused to say what for. as he had no
intention of discriminating himself.
He had seen Gardner and knew De-
tectives Norbeck and Percy De Laittre,
but did not recall having seen them in
conversation with Edwards, Howard or
Crossman. ..,.-= - t54..----
Says Edwards "Smoked.''
Ibid you ever know Edwards to smoke
opium?'', asked Mr.. Erwin unexpectedly
when he got hold of the witness
Yes, SIR responded Bjork quickly be-
fore Mr.. Smith could get in an objection
| Grin Crossman, brother of the more
| famous Lincoln G. Crossman, located him
self as living at 1886 First avenue and
admitted certain familiarity with t'big
mitt' operators and their places Of
business. The latter were located as fol-
lows vs. saoond .vanra :
242 Fourth avenue S. ,z-s5z
| SO Washington avenue S.
/ 80 Sixth street s.
| Second avenue, between Fifth and Sixth
! streets.
!. II don't remember just when these
/ joints were operated, but 1t was between
tbs months Of November and December,
he explained.
The witness said that he had seen De-
tectives Norbeck and De@Laittre and the
i defendant, Irwin A. gardner. at these
i joints several times. ssis..i} -
T Grin Crossman was deemed an i'm
|portant witness by Mr.. Erwin, who sought
1 to find out from him about the Con
spiracy' SO often referred to by the de-
Tense. -,
Mr.. Smith objected to the form Of ques-
tion when the Tall Pine explained:
81 will try to draw out from this wit
ness that he has been promised immunity
from arrest in return for giving his evil
dence.'' a.. sS9
He was given leave to ask this question
direct, but did not do so. As:..g&
What was said to you. by the person
to whom you talked about this matter z"
asked Erwin.
election" shouted Smith.
Collection sustained announced Judge
Harrison.
few more questions of similar import
} were asked, objected to and ruled out.
Tried to Cash the $275 Check.
Orin Crossman was the one who went
to the Second National Bank Of st. Paul
to cash the $275 check referred to in the
evidence of Detective Harvey and other
previous witnesses. Payment was re-
fused as Crossman could not be iden-
titled Two days afterward, Crossman
made another attempt to cash the check
and again it was refused. A day or two
) later the witness returned the check to
) Billy Edwards from whom he had re-
, ceived it, =Ss.sys
s'Did you give any money to the chief
of pol1ce?" asked Erwin.
, Objected to by the prosecution.
: objection sustained" announced the
court decisively. -
When Mr. Erwin was told that witness
was not the Crossnnan named in the in
dictnent he said that he was not aware
of It, Then he took another tack and
sought to inquire regarding the payment
OF moneys by his brother and Edwards to
Gardner. -
Gresham, however, said that he never
saw any money handed TO Gardner either
by Edwards or Crossman; ); never saw any
I envelopes harded to Gardner; could not
!, recall any conversation between Gardner
> or Norbeck and Edwards .or Crossman.
In one conversat ton at one of the joints
. they said something about some money
!, to be given to the "old man when he got
{ home.
8 ri don't know who said it, he con-
tinued Gardner said something,
know, but can't remember what. Cant
! remember definitely what was said.
A call was made for George Kent, but he
was not in the courtrooms, and while he
! was being hunted up BENJAMIN Dockman,
a boyish looking chap, was called.
He rented one Of the rooms occupied as
9 Joint to Edwards and Crossman. Had
S seen Detective Norbeck in conversation
9 with either Edwards or Crossrnan in from:
0 Of this place.
MEX Case Taken Up.
Roche Prenvost, the Times reporter,
: was recalled He testified to the fact that
s Peter Anderson accompanied the witness
: and Roman MEX to the Office of the SUI
: during the interview.
O Peter Anderson, who was called inme-
: diately after, stated that he had met Ro-
/, man MEX at the steamship and ticket
d office Of Nilsson & Nordlander MEX told
E Of the loss Of draft OF $775. He went
t with MEX and Preneyost to police head
: quarters.
s When got to the superintendent
ofice,'' testified Mr.. Anderson, tPrene-
. vost was talking to the superintendent
s who said that they would have to wait
for ofncer Bracket, who would attend
to the matter when he came. f waited
about three-quarters of an hour and got
tired OF waiting. When left MEX and
e the reporter were still there,
you got tired OF waiting?" inquired
Mr. Erwin blandly.
d Eyes, did,
e s@You were fattgued ?'
!. No"
= The witness left the stand with a wide
IS smile remarking soto voice that he die
IT not like that kind OF business anyway
nsIyas "A Shaft for the Mayor.
8 "The mayor is here. the chief Of police
e land Captain Hill have been subpoenaed