The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1902-04-03
Firthman Fails to Secure a Hearing in
the Circuit Court and Casters
Warrant Stands.
Ex-ALDERMAN IS STILL MISSING.
Attorneys For Caster Go to the Supreme
Court to Seek Writ of Prohibitlonto
Get the Case Prom Circuit Court.

Attorney Firthman, Of Chicago, was
forced to make complete surrender in
the Circuit court Thursday afternoon
when the dignity Of the court froze
the words upon his lips, and his argu-
ment, Whichwas to have been made,
VS. left unsaid, and he left the court
room hnmbled man and a disap-
pointed lawyer.
Firthman had prepared an elaborate
defense of Caster and was preparing
to show the court that he had no right
to issue bench warrant for the arrest
IF the accused ex-A1derman. Tt was
half-past four when the matter came
up and Firthman arose to address the
court, In a few words the court as
sured the attorney that it would not be
necessary to argue the question, as he
was assured that the court had full
jurisdiction and that the bench war
rant against Caster would stand.
E'irthman turned ashen pale and
quietly picked up his coat and left the
court room. He walked to the Meyers
Block in silence and then began to
weave some new plan by which it Is
hoped to delay any hearing Of the Gas
ter case. In the meantime Caster is
still fugitive from justice. While it
is very probable that several people in
Kenosha are aware of the present
whereabouts of the ex-A1derman, the
officers of the county have not been
able to lay hands on him. The forfeit
bond has not as yet been paid into the
county treasury and it is probable that
the bondsmen will attempt to make
fight on this proposition.
The next move in the case will prob
ably be in the Supreme court and it is
reported from the Caster headquarters
that messenger has been sent tc
Madison to secure an alternative writ
of habeas corpus to prohibit Judge
Belden from taking any further action
in the case. District Attorney Buck
master issready to meet this fight and
as soon as the writ is issued he will ap-
pear in the Supreme court to defend
the action of Judge Belden and to de-
mand that the case be brought into the
Circuit court for trial.
It is not thought that Caster has left
the State, but it is claimed that he is
in hiding and that his friends will be
able to produce him at any time he may
be called by Court Commissioner Baker
who they claim has sole jurisdiction
over the body of the accused man.
The flight of Caster has had a strong
bearing on the case and many people,
who in the spast few weeks have con-
sidered Caster innocent, take his sud
den refusal to appear in court as an
Indication of.guilt.
The Circuit court will remain in ses-
sion for the remainder Of the week and
the Judge willabe ready to take up the
case of The State VS.. Caster at any
time when the defendant is produced
in court.
The warrant for the arrest of Caster
was as follows:
The State Of Wisconsin in Circuit
Court for Kenosha .County.
The State of Wisconsin, Plaintiff,
against John Caster, Defendant.
Of the regular March term, 1902, of
said court. PresentsHon. E. B. Belden,
Circuit Judge presiding.
The State of Wisconsin to the
Sheriff Of the County of Kenosha, in
the State of Wisconsin:
WHEREAS, an information has been
filed in this courtaby Albert E. Buck
master, District Attorney of the Coun-
ty of Kenosha, in the State of Wiscon
sin, against the above named defend
ant John Caster. charging the said
defendant John Caster with bribery
and accepting and soliciting brides,
and the said defendant John Caster
not having appeared in said court to
answer to said information:
Now, THEREFORE, you are hereby
commanded to arrest the said defend
ant John Caster and bring him before
this Court forthwith to answer as
aforesaid and further to be dealt with
according to law.
Hereof you are not to fail at your
peril.
Dated in open court this 10Th day of
March, 1902. BY the Court.
e. B. BELDEN, Judge.