The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1902-10-30
q Observation-Disclosures . = =

Edmund Bersch. former member Of the
House Of Delegates. went 10 trial before a
special jury IN Judge Ryan's court ye=te--
day afternoon after several sensational de-
velopments sprung by his counsel
Judge Ryan. after heafi1g the testimony
OF dozen witnesses for the State who
declared they knew OF 20 prejudice in the
community which wolId deprive Bersch Of
fair and imr sstlal trial. overruled the
motion for yhange Of venue The de-
tendants counsel then in turn entered mo-
IONS 10 q'zash the information, to Quash
ties special venire Of jurors and for a con-
unuance. each Of wtl,h were oyerruled.
hersch was arraigned about ; o'clock
and waving the reading Of the informa-
uon. entered plea OF not guilty to the
charge Of perjury Twelve members OF the
Special jury then We're called and took
seats IN the jury box Circuit Attorney
Folk proceeded in the usual manner to
question each juror as 70 his qualifications
10 serve IN the case. When he. har asked
each several commonplace ouesff5ns he
stopped. expecting the defense To begin its
questions. lnstead Judge Chester H Krum.
court. said; The defense is SATISFIED win
tnese twelve gentlemen and does not d.
eio s.Te 10 question them. We are ready 10
What have you to say. Mr.. Circuit At
torney asked Judge Ryan OF Mr. Folk
should prefer 10 have the second
we've jurors called" answered Mr. Folk
The second twelve was called and u,,cE-
TONED and again Judge krum announced
mat they would he satisfactory 70 the de-
tense; that he had no questions to ask ~
any OF the jurors Abraham NJ Holman
ene OF those who was later accepted as a
Juror had in answer to Mr. Folks oges-
lions. remarked that he had exuTessed sr,
opinion. but Bersch's counsel took no notice
OF II and did not question him.
DEFENSE MADE NO CHALLENGES.
When Circuit Attorney Folk returned 20
ha aFra Frfn-ra sK-l,
assistants with his challenges. Judge Krum
announced that the defense had no chal-
lenges ard would be willing to 90 ahead st
once. The twelve jurors then were called.
Bersch's lawyers would give no reason
for their unusual conduct other than that
they were satisfied with the twelve jurors.
Circuit Attorney Folk seemingly did not
believe this the defense's only motive but
said he could not explain It.
Edwin g Goebel. clerk in the Office OF The
Circuit Clerk Of No 52l4A Indiana avenue.
was the first witness called. He had
brought the Office records showing the cleo
tion OF Bersch 10 the House OF Delegates
Again Judge krum surprised the spectators
and lawyers in the courtroom by offering
to waive GoebelS testimony and 20 ahead.
He declared the defense wished 10 ex-
pedite matters as much possible
ceeded TO question the witness Judge Krum
objected. declaring IL useless to take up the
courts time when the defense waived the
testimony GOebel might give. Judge Ryan
answered. saying he knew of no right he
might have 10 Stop the Circuit Attorney.
Mr. Folk then vent on to prove Bersch's
election in the proper way
One lawyer who IL watching the case de-
clarcd he was at a loss 20 know what the
defendants counsel could mean by con-
ducung their case IN s1ch a manners unless
they feel confident that the courts rulings
on their motions has left them good
grounds on which 10 fight the case IN the
Circuit Attorney Folks address TO the
jury was about the same as in the I1eh-
IL a~nZ
OF the $500 placed IN the safety-deposit
box by John X. Murreli and Philip S.rck.
which was 70 be paid 10 the comb ne mem
bers OF the House of Delegates OF which he
said Bersch was n member. for their votes
on the Suburban bin. He stated ne expected
TO prove that Bersch went before the De-
oernber Grand Jury and testified that ne
knew nothing OF the money or deal that had
been made for the bills passage. that
Bersch's testimony In this regard WIS faise.
and for that reason the informa tion cl,arg
ing him with perjury was fled In court
Patrick r, F1,zGibb0n. CITY Register. vas
next called TO testify as 20 the oath Of Office
taken by Bersch after his election 10 the
House OF Delegates Court was then ad-
5Ourned until this morning al 10 O'Clock
The States PRINCIPAL witnesses against
Bersch will be John r. Murrell. f. = Muir
rell. George r. Roberts. Charles II. FUR
eibiy John Helms. William Tamblyn and
Otto Schumacher. Helms and Schumacher
were witnesses for the defense IN the cases
OF Lehman and Faulkner Since that time
they have turned States evidence and have
told the Grand jury all about certain House
Of Delegates deals.
MURRELL THE CHIEF WITNESS.
John X NIurrell probably will b. put on
the stand this morning II is believed the
case can be completed before tO-moz--w
night as the defense IS not expected 10 use
many witnesses other than those Who will
testify as 10 Bersch's character. Berseh's
counsel has not yet decided whether TO put
the defendant on the stand
The witnesses called yesterday morning to
testify for the State Cn the motion for n
change Of venue agreed that they had feard
no expressions Of prejudice which would de-
prive Bersch OF a fair trial. The witnesses
were: G. +. Udell. John II. TenneHt, Jesse
II. Holmes. +. L. kaufman. Web NJ. sam
uel. J. :. Bemis Max Stein. Charles A
Stacey. William p kennett. Conrpd Rle-
binger. James VI. Carpenter and ]. II. Con-
rades.