The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-05-06
The trial Of Or. Albert Alonzo Ames is

The trial of DR.. Albert Alorlzo Ames is
history.
There remains but the verdict Of the
jury to complete the story Of what has
court spectacle ever beheld In Hennepin
county. Mr.. Boardman closed the states
case this morning. This afternoon Frank
M. aNye. for the defense, is reviewing the
evidence, and, painting in brilliant colors
the record of DR.. Ames and atathe same
time appealing to the jury's sympathy by
dilating upon the grand old MANS men
tai and physical debility. Judge Elliott's
charge will be given before court adjourns
and the famous case will be in the hands
Of the twelve men sworn to pass judg-
ment upon the defendant.
Attracted by the prospect of oratorica1
fireworks, hundreds repaired to the court
house this morning long before the open.
ing of court. The services of three deputies
were required to keep the crowd in order
and as soon as the doors were opened
there was a scramble for seats. Order
once restored however, the crowd which
was by far the largest of the trial and
filed the court room and gallery to over
flowing, was kept in perfect order under
the personal direction Of Sheriff J.. w.
Dreger.
The actors who have occupied the stage
for a week and half were all in their
places, except w. w. Erwin, chief coun-
sci for the defense. His absence was ex-
planned by Mr.. Nye who stated to the
court that his colleague had been called
home by a telegram and regretted exceed
ingly his inability to be present at the
closing scene. s%
Aines Shows the Strain.
DR.. Ames entered, accompanied as usual
by Mrs. Ames. Both the defendant and
his wife looked trif1e weary. altho they
greeted the attorneys and a few of their
| friends pleasantly. Mrs Ames especially
| looked worn and worried and during the
prosecutors closing address leaned her
| head against the back of her chair and
with closed eyes seemed to be trying tc
gain little rest.
Early this morning some devoted friend
| of the former mayor brought bunch
| of flowers to the bailiff with the request
| that they be placed upon the table neal
the defendants seat. Judge Elliott OBJ
] jected however, and the flowers were
kept out of sight and returned to theil
owner later on.
A Strong, Simple Case.
! The case which the state has made ant
| which was argued by Mr.. Boardman thi
1 morning is simple in structure and yet i
| considered the strongest made out agains
any Of the municipal offenders. Gardne
was the chief witness and told of tn,
mayors plan to raise a, campaign fund
how he, Gardner, was chief graft collecto
and gathered in from various women o
the town nearly $500 which was paid owe
to DR.. Ames. This story was corrobor
/ ated by Norbeck, Thomas R. Brown, b,
police officers and by several Of tn
women. Apparently no stone was left I'm
turned by the state which could buttres
their contention with solid fact.
For the defense the doctor made sweep
/ iy1p NJ a OF a, tact
but his story stands without corrobora
ton. Beyond this denial, the defense in
troduced testimony of q rather uncertai
quality to show that even if the docto
did commit the offenses charged he wa
mentally irresponsible at the time. Wit
this paradoxical contention, neither sid
of which was strongly proved and upo
the good character given DR.. Ames by 81
character witnesses the defense rested it
case and now apparently depends upon tn
! spell of Frank Nye's eloquence to kee
the accused out of the penitentiary.