Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1902-09-11
BRIDES
TAKEN
Startling Revelations in
st. Louis Munich
pal Affairs
Eighteen Members of
House of Delegates
Are Arrested
Action is Result of Com
fessiOn of Member
of Gang

st. Louis, Sept. "a sensation was
caused yesterday by the issuance of
bench warrants for the arrest of IS
members and former members of the
house Of delegates on the confession
of Delegate J. K. Murrell, who fed to
Mexico last spring after being indict-
ed for bribery by the December grand
jury in connection with alleged hood
ling operations in the municipal as
sembly in relation to the granting of
street railroad franchises, and who
unexpectedly returned to the city
through the efforts of the Post Dis
patch and surrendered. He is now
in the custody of Circuit Attorney
Folk, and will, it is stated, be granted
immunity from punishment for turn
ing states evidence.
The following are the names of the
alleged combine members for whom
bench warrants have been issued,
charging bribery and perjury in con-
nection with suburban street railway
and other legislation
Ed. E. Murrell, John H. Schnetter.
Charles F. Kelly, T. E. Albright.
George f. Robertson, Louis Decker,
John Helms, Charles A. Gutke,
Adolph MADEIRA, H. A Faulkner, Jul
llus Lehman, Edmund Bersch, Otto
schumacher, John A Sheridan,
Charles ]. Denny, VIM. Tambyn, J. j.
flanagan, Emile Hartman.
Warrants were served on E. E.
Murrell, Schnettler, Albright, Robert
son, Helms, Gutke, Faulkner, Schu-
macher Hannigan. Albright and
Faulkner were released in bonds
of $4,000 each. The others arrested
were allowed to so to their respect
i've homes in the custody of deputy
sheriffs, who will remain with them
until they have furnished surety for
their appearance in court when their
cases are called for trial. With the
exception of Tamblyn, who was
member of the last house of delegates
and is now said to be in Cleveland,
all the indicted delegates are believed
to be in the city. Delegate Kelly tele-
phOned the district attorney last even
ing he would surrender today and give
bond. The police are watching the
bridge and other possible avenues Of
escape from the city. J. K. Murrell
makes the following statement for
publication:
II have surrendered Internationally
toCircuit Attorney J. w. Folk ard made
d full confession to him. | am not per-
niitted to give the details of the evil
dence. This will all come out in the
trials and | am willing to go on the
stand and to tell all l know [ held
the key to the box at the Lincoln Trust
company, containing the $4,000 bride
money to go to the public delegates
upon the passage of the suburban bill.
The money put up, a purchase price
for the voters, was agreed upon.
''The combine of the house delegates
was composed of 10 men. When the
suburban matter came up before the
combine, | was selected to negotiate
with Philip Stock, a representative of
! the suburban railway, as to the best
price we could get for our votes upon
the passage of the bill The purpose
of the combine was to control and sell
legislation for the benefit of the mem
bers of the combine.
Shortly before the suburban bill
came up the combine sold its votes on
the lighting bills for SAT, 800. Each
member of the combine received
$4,000.
Il was present and saw that the
money was paid to the various par
ties. These are only two instances but
there were others, the evidence of
which is in the possession of the cir
cult attorney.
I'VE did not look upon whav we did
as a serious crime, as it had gone on
so long without interruption that it
was not regarded by those who partic-
ipated in it as morally wrong. Until
the present circuit attorney took office
nc sincere effort, apparently. was ever
made to punish what was being done
as a crime. The practice of the com
bine in the assembly in taking brides
was so frequent that went along with
the tide, and did not realize the enor
nifty of the offense, and my conscience
was scared in that regard.
After my Indictment and the com
mencement of Doodle prosecutions
the gang got together and raised
money for the purpose of fighting thu
cases, and retaining the supremacy O
the gang.
Lehman, Bersch and Helms acte,
as coachers for the witnesses vhc
were to appear before the grand Jury
tt ough it seems they were not success
full.
I feel better and happier, and m,
mind is easier now than for months.
propose to give the state all the aid i
my power, and hope my conduct wi
be such in future years that may re
gain the confidence of my fellow cit
- zen"
1t is stated that MurrelI returned t
ST. Louis last Friday and SURRENDERED
The fact was kept secret until yeste
day. Charles J. Kratz, member {
the council who was indicted for br
hery in connection with the suburba
deal, and escaped to Mexico at til
time Murrel went there. has not r
,~I