The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-07-02

threatened to break down the door that
barerd them out. Three fourths of them
wer unable to gain admission even after
the door had been opened.
A HOT OPENING
The Main Issue Put Up to the Chief
Forthwith.
The Ames trial began in earnest this
morning. Court convened at 10 O'Clock,
but the crowd was on hand much earlier.
The first corners arrived on the scene at
$40 and sat down in front of the locked
courtroom door. Within two minutes
from the time the door was opened the
room was packed with spectators and a
+ crowd almost as large as that Within was
denied admittance. -l- ...>-.-. ~ /
Frank M Nye. made his first appear
ance in the case this morning. He SAT
at the attorneys table directly behlnd
Victor WEIGH. The state objected to MS
association with the defense at this tlme
and the court was appealed to- Inc claim
was advanced that Mr.. Nye should have
been in the case from the first, so that
the state might have an opportunity 10
question jurors regarding their &C
quaintance with him. However, Mr.. Nye
will remain.
Mr.. Smith Opens.
Assistant County Attorney AL j.
Smith delivered the opening address to
the jury. He cautioned jurors not 10
let personal friendships sway their 5uds
=. ment He then related the details or
the transaction alleged in the indictment;
the payment to the chief of $50 by LIN
coin G. Crossman as his share of the pro-
ceeds of the Roman Mick swindle.
THE ISSUE" said Mr. Smith, lis wheth-
er or no Chief Ames did have knowledge
that Edwards, Crossman and others were
operating swindling games in Mlnneap
oils; and that they had swindled Roman
Mick. Further, 1t is an issue, whether
or no the defendant did receive the
money from Crossman, as charged IN
the indictment, with an agreement on
his part that his official acts should be
Influenced by such payment.
1.-THE state will show you that since
November last, certain men known as
Billy Edwards, Lincoln G. Crossman and
others were in the city of Minneapolis,
and that they we're confidence men. The
evidence will show you that this defend
ant was chief Of police of this city at that
time and is so still. 1t will show you,
too, that Edwards and Crossman made
corrupt agreement with Irwin A. Gard
ner and christopher c. NOrbeck, the lat
ter an inspector, and Mr.. Norbeck will
tell you, from the stand, that he did make
such an agreement and that it was made
under the instructions Of the chief Of po-
lice and his brother, the mayor.
Police Aided Crooks.
''We will show you that Edwards and
Crossman operated swindling games not
only with the knowledge of the police, but
even with the assistance of police officials
assigned to that duty by this defendant.
They had policemen in their employ and
paid them regularly.
= 1--WE will show you that at least one of
these men was instructed to see that
money was paid to one 'Reddy Cohen by
the abandoned women Of this city, and we
will have one at least Of these women
on the stand to tell you how they sweat
her out of the money she had made in her
nefarious trade.
1--WE will show you that the chief was
provided with lists Of employees of the
big nit gang so that they might be
turned loose if arrested. We will show
you, too, that Edwards was arrested but
was released by the chief and his gam
bling paraphernalia returned to him.
"The evidence will show, also, that after
, E7oman MEX had been swindled out Of a
SITS draft by these men, he went to the
chief and that the chief did everything
in his power to prevent MEX getting his
money back, even detailing a captain tC
run him out Of town."
City Clerk L. A. Lydiard was the first
witness. He identified the bond and oath
of Frederick w Ames as superintendent
Of police of the city of Minneapolis; an6
testified to the chiefs appointment, hi;
acceptance of the position and his tenure
of office from Jan 7, 1901, to- the presen
time.
Mr. WEIGH objected to the reception O
any evidence under the indictment, fO
the reason that it failed to state any fact
constituting public offence. The objec
ton was overruled. Mr.. Lydiard steppe,
down.
Crossman Tells of the "NIitt."
Lincoln G. Crossman may be sworn,
said Mr.. Smith. A buzz of excitement RAJ
over the room as the "big mitter" too
the stand.
do you know the defendant" aske
Mr.. Smith.
ri do. He is chief of police
+ what business were you engaged /
during November of 1912
big mitt.''
-s The crowd Uttered and the officer wa
b. instructed to enforce order. Mr.. Cross
man then told the locations of the variou
big mitt joints and gave the names of th
men employed in them.
"Whon. did you see before you cpene
the first of these joints?' asked M
Smith.
"Gardner and Norbeck.
= what games did you play there?"
"Stud poker and three card monte. W
used cold deck when we needed it. &c
wards handled the inside and trimmed tt
suckers. Il had the outside to look afte
attended to the kicks. Charlie Howa1
acted as steerer part of the time, b,
when we first opened he played the sti
hand" This is the hand that wins tt
money-the so-called ''big mitt.'' TT
witness then explained the operations
the gang, already familiar through test
mony given in the Gardner and Norbec
~ Eases.
Much of Cheeseman's testimony VIZ
merely a repetition Of statements mac
In the previous trials
"Norbecl< in Our Employ" -
Ibid Detective Norbeck come arour
to the joints?' asked Mr.. Smith.
tHe was there nearly every day." -.
what was his business at the joints
HE was to look after the people WI
kicked. He came in and talked with
every day. When we clipped the suckel
he would take them out and talk.to ther
He was in our employ = :ts.:~
when you opened the first Joint,
you remember seeing a list of names
the men working there?'
Eyes, sir. had Howard make out
list. 1t was given to the chief"
The witness was asked to give t
names on the list, but the defense o
iected on the ground that the list itse
was the best evidence. =. 49,.
Then we will make a demand on "
FOR 1T =, said Mr.. Smith, turning iowa