Omaha daily bee., 1902-08-28
BURT BEFORE POLICE JUDGE
Pleads Not Guilty to Ten Charges Of False
imprisonment
COURT SETS TRIAL FOR NEXT WEDNESDAY
Defendant Gives Bonds for Three
Hundred Dollars in Each Case
Caught by Photographic as
He Enters Court.

fore Judge Berka yesterday morning on
ten warrants charging him with false i'm
prisonment, to which charge he pleaded not
guilty. was admitted to bonds in the sum OF
5000. released and his trial set for Sep
TENDER 3.
This is the status Of the case brought
against President Burt by the men whom
the Union Pacific imported Sunday from In
dianapolis. AS has been published these
men. ten in number. claimed to have been
employed by the company's agents under
false pretenses. namely, that there was no
strike on the Union Pacific. and they fur
thermore assert that they were imprisoned
on the car at Council Bluffs and at the
shops BY William Canada, chief Of the
Union Pacihc's secret service. II was for
THIS alleged false Imprisonment that the
ter men swore to warrants OF arrest for
President Burt and W. Arnett, employment
agent Of the company. The case was placed
In the hands Of the county attorney and
Deputy Thomas is personally conducting
the prosecution.
President Burt entered the court at 1925
yesterday morning. one hour and thirty
nve mute behind schedule time. He was
accompanied by John N. Baldwin, general
counsel for the Union Pacific. and John C.
Wizard, special agent for the company. The
NNA1 0hANh AdIAuG dIIOTneYA. E0AO0 htCn
and Charles L. Dundey. who we're Mr.. Burt's
bondsmen. were already there. having arr.
rived at the hour appointed for the arraign-
ment. President Burt walked to the front
OF the room and took a seat. He wore an
amused expression and as he turned to
scan the curious crowd that thronged the
court room q broad smile bedecked his stern
c~ountenance.
Mr.. Burt signs His Bonde.
After a few minutes consultation with
Judge Berka, Prosecutor Thomas and Attor-
neys Rich and Dundey. Mr.. Baldwin beck
oned to President Burt to step to tho desk
and sign his bonds. These, as have been
stated, were ten in number, one for each
warrant, and were In the sum Of $500 each.
The president consumed but a few minutes
in this operation. He displayed no emotion
whatever and his hand swept across the pa
per with as steady a stroke as II he might
have been signing receipts for large rail-
road revenues.
The oficer Of the court waived the read
Ing Of the warrants. and Judge Berka then
said:
TT will now be necessary for you to plead,
Mr.. Burt. How do you plead, guilty or not
guilty?'. r
Not guilty" quickly interposed John N.
11ANAC oNa ohIN uau 1Hu
time TO realize the courts question. Then.
turning TO his leading attorney, Mr.. Burt
asked. with manifest curiosity, What was
thatT'
do you plead guilty or not guilty ?' re-
peated Judge Berka.
"oh. not guilty" spoke the president. in
a low tone.
well. gentlemen" said the Judge. at is
agreed, then. is It. that this case shall be
set for September 8 at 10 a. N. 2"
Yes" answered the attorneys on each
side In unison, and the court informed Mr..
Burt that he would be expected to appear
for trial at that time.
dent. tF
That is ALL" Judge Berka replied. and
Mr.. Burt, bidding the court and attorneys
good morning. left the room with Mr.. Bald
win and Mr.. Wizard, returning to the head
quarters.
Has Nothing to say.
Asked II he had any statement to make
after the proceedings were over, President
Burt replied: Nothing at all, there is
nothing to say"
tn occasion of the president Of a great
railroad being to appear in DO
lice court on a warrant Of arrest created
unusual interest and drew to the court room
a large crowd Of curiosity seekers. Before
. o'clock the court room was flled and
stragglers stood in front of the police sta
ton, ali eager to get the first glimpse Of
the mar whom these "horny-handed sons Of
toll had accused Of depriving them Of their
liberty. There was the chronic Juror in
the motley crowd, the inpecunious ha-
bitus Of police courts, the man who never
misses q session of these minor mills Of
Justice, q number Of strikers and many Of
the complaining witnesses. In addition to
these was the usual run OF morning glor-
les" waiting for their sentences as "vags''
or suspicious characters"
The crowd manifested considerable impa-
thence when 10 o'clock came and still Pres
ident Burt did not appear. II was the pur-
pose Of Attorneys Rich and Dundey to dis
pose of the matter without bringing the
president into court II possible. but Deputy
County Attorney Thomas objected to this
plan and insisted that Mr.. Burts presence
was necessary.
"very WELL" replied one Of the attorneys
and the president was then called up on
telephone and advised that his presence in
court was required.
Caught by Snapshot Artists.
As President Burt. John N. Baldwin and
Special 0hicer Wizard of the Union Pacific
got Nlthin q rev yafob OF the ponce sta
tion a photographer, representing a news
paper, who had been standing on that very
spot for several hours 10 catch the presi-
dent. called to him. This was merely to
attract Mr.. Burt's attention so that a front
view could be caught. But President Burt
was unconscious Of the trick and turned as
soon as his name was called.
Now put that thing right up" he said,
catching sight Of the camera. but It was
too late. for the mischief was done, and
before the president had advanced many
feet farther the shot was repeated. and the
same performance took place as he anne
out Of the police station.
The president walked to and from his
once and the police station. He was mani
testify annoyed at the unusual demonstra-
tion. though evidently could not restrain q
smile at the real humor Of the situation,
which seemed to impress itself upon all
present.
Attorney Baldwin was asked II he had any
statement to make and said;
mo. we merely entered a plea Of not
guilty, which, Of course. does not prejudice
our right TO move for a smissa Of The
case or demur when the time comes" The
court assented to this.
Mr.. Arnett is out OF the city and could
- -. 1870 -gtk a..