The Minneapolis journal., 1903-04-27
~ A,hort A1opzo AmeS is on trial.


This man who has occupied SO many
nositions of trust in the civic life or MIN
neapolis, who was three times elected may |
or and whose friends and admirers "ere
LEGION is to-day standing at the par VI
Justice to defend his name against the
grave accusations Of conspiracy, extort'ol
and bribery.
After nearly years time in which pc
riod the former mayor has assumed sue
sessively the roles of injured lnnocehce,
of the fugitive from justice, of the Invalid
and diving man. of the objector to extra
dition. and finally of the man ready ana
anxious to return and face his accusers'
DR. A. A. Ames Is in court and mas
staked his future upon the outcome ol
the trial now in progress.
The importance of the case at bar
caused the early appearance OF many
curious spectators in Judge Ell1otts Dig
courtroom and long before the centrai
figures appeared the" room was fairly Well
filled 1t was not wonderful audience
b,1t IT was one suited to appeal TO the
student and the lover OF the dramatic side
of life There were many familiar faces,
faces of those who in days now gone were
associated with the administration OF
public affairs and with the genial DOC
tor In his palmiest days They were
there early in order to miss no part OF
the fight for honor now being waged by
their one time chief. Many Of them ap-
pear still loyal and sympathetically ap-
plaud every victorious step taken by the
defense others have lost their old time
affection and are coldly watching the pro-
ceedings from a now almost ind1nerent
standpoint
There were some Of the prominent sup
porters of the civic house cleaning move
ment which year ago was being pusneo
so diligently, and there were. besides, the
common excitement-seekers and the
hangers Of the courtroom, to whom any
kind of a sensational trial Is a boon.
Among the witnesses gathered in groups
inside the railing were several OF Dr
Ames' former officers and lieutenants;
dozen women Of the town, whose faces are
familiar to attendants at the former tr1als
of Gardner; Fred Ames and Joseph Cohen
and a few friends and staunch supporters
of the former mayor.
Irwin A. Gardner is on hand, having
come from Chicago where he is studying
medicine. He will return to Chicago to-
night as he will not be wanted as wit
ness for a week or more. Some OF TN
eastern papers are represented at the lrld
by special correspondents.
Erwin on Hand.
w. W. Erwin, now of Miami, Fla, AM
returned to take part in the Ames oe
fense, was on hand bright and early, an,
the commanding figure OF the rail- Plne
was the center around which Frank Nye
II, S. Mead and Henry Deutch-the Anne
legal force-gathered for preliminary con
sultation.
County Attorney F., H. Boardman, Flrs
Assistant c. S. Jelley and Assistant Wli
liam Leary, represented the prosecutlo
and held several consultations previous
the opening Of court
Judge c. B. Elliott appeared at 1O:l
and at the falling Of the gavel there was
general settling of the audience, the at
torneys moved their chairs closer 10 IN
trial table, and what promises to be on
of the biggest legal battles fought 1
Hennepin county was Oh In earnest.
DR., Ames Seems Cheerful.
Dr. A, A. Ames was in court prompt
~, fine and looks to be much improve
n health since arriving here from Ne
uaunshire. He assumes a pleasing
- cheerfulness and chatted affably wit
his friends and ever and anon apparent
made some suggestions to his counsei.
The three triers who Will pass upc
Questions OF actual bias In the drawn
~ a Jury were appointed by Judge p
liott as follows:
Y Judge Austin H. Young, Frank
Nantz and Samuel l.. Baker.
Tn accordance with suggestion OF M
Roardman the witnesses In the case we
all excused to report Thursday mornan
at 10 o'clock.
number of jurors applying to be excus
from the panel and 1t was a oao
scratched list which was finally hand
to Deputy Clerk Ryberg.
Examinations Taken Up.
w. W. Erwin has charge OF the e'
paneling of the jury and after reading t
..omnibus Indictment to the assemol
yeniremen he proceeded to the exarn1n
ton of the first prospective juror, Benz
min Drake Jr., a university student,
years Of age.
The young man gave every evidence
being above the average Intelligence 9
altho stating that he had read mucn &C
cerning the case at bar he maintain
that unacquainted with the facts, he y
in no way biased or prejudtced and u
he could make a fair and impartial Jur
The stand taken by the witness caused
legal forces of the defense to pause
fully ten minutes were consumed In clt
consultation.
..yo,, have been introduced to Mr.. Nye
fnally asked Mr.. Erwin
..I have.
ale vas retained BY your father. y
he not z"