The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-03-28

But Has DiSapproved and
Case Is at a StandStill.


Hickam, of Payne county, who is wanted
TO appear before the Logan county grand
jury to give testimony in the legislative
doodle investigation is the latest SEN
sation in connection with the probing
now being done by the grand jurors. on
the oath of March a subpoena was issued
for Mr. Hickam, and service was made
by leaving copy of the subpoena at his
home in Perkins. He was to appear be-
fore the grand jury on March 18th, but
did not do SO.
Yesterday an attachment for Mr.
IIickam for contempt of court was issued
and Sheriff John p. Hesser, of Payne
county, was asked to serve the same
Sheriff Hesser failed to find Mr.. Hickam
at his home, and came on to Guthrie this
morning, learning that he had left his
home yesterday for this city.
Mr. Hickam arrived here last night
from Perkins, coming in on a local train
over the Oklahoma and Eastern road.
He was on the streets during the evening.
and talked with a number of persons.
Shortly before o'clock he was accosted
on the street by lNO AASnSlalCi "A4N
asked him when he had arrived.
He stated that he came over from Per-
kins on the local train, and in response
to questions, sad: Il came over with
out having the attachment served on me.
I know nothing of 1t. L have never been
subpoenaed to appear before the grand
jury although 1 have been in the city
number of times while the grand jury
has been in session"
.sWiI you go before the grand jury to-
morrow3s" was asked
Yes, sir. That is my intention now
Mr.. Hickam was in good spirits, and
joked about the investigation, and gave
no indication that he feared to appear
before the jury.
This morning when officers started to
fnd him, they ascertained that he was not
in the city. 1t is stated that he spent
the night in the Royal hotel, but did
not register. 1t is also said that he left
a call for the early Santa Fe north, and
that he left the hotel in time TO catch
either a north or south-bound train, two
trains leaving here at nearly the same
time Since last night Mr.. Hickam has
not been seen.
The grand jury investigation had reach
ed the stage where it was considered nee
essary to have Mr.. Hickam give testi-
mony. 1t IS understood that testimony
from him would give the missing link in
a chain of evidence duplicating several
members of the council. 1t was believed
hat Mr.. Hickam was cOnversant enough
With the affairs being investigated to
have the desired knowledge, and every
thing seemed to hinge on his appearance
and testimony. The grand jury practical
ly suspended operations yesterday
waiting until Mr.. Hickam should be
brought before that body. This morning
when it was announced that Mr. Hickam
had left the city. officers were started af-
ter him. and he will be brought back to
give testimony, even if the session of the
grand jury has to be prolonged for some
time.
Sheriff Hesser, of Payne county, was in
Guthrie this morning He said: Il had
the attachment for Mr. Hickam, but fail
ed to find him. / understood that he
came here but now it is said that he has
left town. The next thing is to get him."
Sheriff Carpenter is working on the mat
ter. and will secure Mr. Hickam if pos
sible.
tive to "boodling'' in connection with the
quarantine bill. is what caused the inves-
tigation now on. Mr.. Hicllam stated that
II he were given committee he would
produce some things which had been un-
der cover for weeks. \ committee. con-
sisting Of Mr Hickam. Mr. Webster and
Mr.. Massingale. was appointed These
men conducted an investigation. summon
f-,r-
the time came to report permission was
asked TO turn the testimony over to the
county attorney of Logan county. to be
laid before the grand jury. This permis-
sion was given and the testimony never
made public in the council. After the
legislature adjourned. County Attorney
Mcclure began work on the investigation.
Legislators and employees. after they had
arrived at their homes. were subpoenaed
70 appear before the grand jury One ar
rest that of Charles Knox. Of Perry. re-
suited OTing to the fact that ii was
impossible to get all the witnesses here.
the legislative matter was allowed u
drop FOR time. 1t was taken up again
and quarantine matters were probed in
% It.
Owing to the fact that Mr.. Hickam is
responsible for the investigation. his al
legged disappearance has caused ccmmo-
ton among those watching the proceed
ings Of the grand jury. Il was stated at
the time the testimony obtained by the
council Investigating committee was turn
ed over to the grand jury that three coun-
cillors We're implicated. The theory now
is. that Mr. Hicham IN giving testimony
relative 10 quarantine matters would fur
ther implicste these men. ana that he
was persuaded 10 leave the territory until
after the grand jury session had closed
Whether this theory is true or not re-
mains TO be seen. IL is known. however
that certain members OF the council have
been holding conferences relative TO the
Investigation. and Z is said that II was
not q Joking matter with them.
There have been some peculiar things
connected with the prohinrs OF the grand
fury Many witnesses have been asked tn
give testimony. bat some Of the men al
legged % know more about the Doodle
proposition than others have not been
suhpoenaed. These men are in the CITY,
and easy 70 set at For this reason. II
has heen openly stated by observing per-
sons that in their belief the Investigation
would not bear fruit
silent investigation has been made 4,
an attempt 70 implicate Nr Hickan in
the council ''hoodle" matter. but 50 fs-
as known these efforts have failed. How
ever. these attempts. had he hears ~
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