The Saint Paul globe., 1902-07-12
State Gets in Evidence Of Former Po-
lice Officers Which Throws
Light on Ames' Methods
PLACES ON POLICE FORCE
TRArFICKED FOR LUcRE
Witnesses Swear That They Were Of
fered Appointments If They Would
Put Up Cash for Mayors Campaign
Fund-case Will Be Appealed to su-
preme Court.

The jury in the case Of Capt. John
F1tchette, Of the Minneapolis police de-
partment, known as Coffee John" af-
ter being out a little over an hour re-
turned verdict Of guilty last even
inng.
The crime for which COFFEE John
was convicted was that Of receiving
a "gratuity or reward for securing the
appointment Of man to a public Of
fice." The case was taken up Wednes-
Day morning, and for rapidity and
terseness, 1t no doubt makes a new
record for case of so much i'm
portance.
The defendant was charged with
having received through David r.
Johnson, an attorney in the city, 5000,
In consideration that he use his infiu-
ence with the mayor to secure the ap-
pointment of one John Long to the
police force of the city.
The money, it was claimed, was paid
TO Coffee John" about IL o'clock in
the forenoon of Aug. 21, 1901, and
about 2 o'clock in the afternoon of the
same day Mr.. Long received his ap-
polntment as police officer Of the
city.
AAAo COLlL1SSlon, the state claimed
was handed to him in Coffee John's''
restaurant by the mayors private Sec
retary' Tom Brown, in the presence of
mayor Ames and Coffee john" who
were all eating dinner together.
Mr.. Long was called before the grand
jury several weeks ago and testified
to these facts, and the Indictment was
found. When it was learned that he
had so testified the mayor then relieve
ed him from duties as a police officer
and dismissed him from the force.
Verdict Was Surprise.
The verdict occasioned much sur
prise, as it was thought, in view Of
the judges charge, the jury, if 1t did
not acquit, would at least disagree.
The defense admitted that no doubt
Mr.. Long did pay the 5000 to Mr..
Johnson for the purpose Of getting on
the police force of the city, but there
were no witnesses to the transaction.
The fact, however, that the appo3nt-
ment to the force came within a cou-
pie of hours after the money had been
paid over carried considerable weight.
with the testimony Of Johnson, who
sWore positively that he gave the mon
ey 10 t1tchette in private dining room
In F1tchette's establishment, and the
tact That Long, who was standing out
side of the door, saw the two men en-
ter the private dining room, gave color
to the assumption that it was paid
over.
After Coffee John" and Johnson
came out Of the private dining room,
they both came out on the sidewalk,
and Coffee john was introduced for
the first time to Mr.. Long and was told
that he was the person who wanted
the appointment. All these facts must
have appeared to the jury in a great
measure corroborative.
Traffiicking in Office.
The state yesterday was allowed to
Introduce evidence tending to show
a system Of traffickng in public off,
ces. and they placed on the stand two
eX-police officers, Larson and Gustav
ason, who testified to having had con-
versations with Coffee John" some
time in the summer of 1901 with q
view of getting back on the police
force. Larson swore positively that
Coffee John" told him the only way
he could get back on the force was
to put up some money, as they needed
1t for campaign purposes.
Larson then asked him how much ft
would cost, and he was told that the
appointment could be secured if he
would put up 800. The money was
put up, but Larson did not get the
coveted position, and later the money
was returned.
In the case of Gustavason the same
story was told, that they needed mon
ey for campaign purposes, and he was
asked to put up $3.50 for the appoint
ment. This amount of money the witt
ness said he could not raise, conse-
quently he could not get the appoint&
ment He tried, however, to get the
appointment anyway, but he was told
that there was no hope, as there were
many waiting to put up the required
sum, and they would receive consid-
GRAFTON.
County Attorney Boardman consum-
ed about an hour arguing the case
to the jury His address was simply
a plain statement Of the facts, and
he said that he did not think 1t nee
essary to tire them with any extend
ed argument. as everything was so
plain.
Attorney Lane, for the defendant,
tried to convince the jury that John
son, instead of turning the money over
to Coffee John, appropriated it to his
own use, and 1t was simply a question
of who was telling the truth, and that
he believed the testimony of Fitchette
was better than that Of Johnson, as
he thought he had better reputation.
The judges charge was fair and i'm
partial, neither side Offering any OBJ
lection to 1t after 1t had been rendered.
The case will probably be appealed to
the supreme court, although Coffee
John" said last night he did not know
what he would do in the matter.
Ships Against Chicago Deposits.
WASHINGTON n n TuIv II Tha