Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1903-12-11
Foreman White, of Federal
Grand Jury Warned of Plot
Against His Life
FAlRBuRY, NEB., woMAN's STORY
Mrs. X. w. Henner Says She Belongs
to Secret Society Which Has Decreed
Tina. White Must Leave Omaha at
Once or pie.-Fo,iow. Return OF
Twenty-Five indictments.

with the return yesterday of twenty
two indictments by the Federal grand
jury, which Is investigating posuffice
bribery cases, in which Senator Die
trich and Senator Curry are involved,
came the startling announcement that
a conspiracy is on foot to assassinate
Francis E. White. foreman of the grand
jury.
The plot was disclosed to Mr.. White
by Mrs. H. w. Berner, Of Fairhury,
Neb, who personally told the foreman
this afternoon that 81 secret society to
which she belonged had determined to
kill him If he did not leave Omaha be-
fore the beginning of next week.
ing was given In good faith, and beg
ged Mr.. White not to disregard L
while there was still time to escape.
During her interview with the jury
foreman she did not display the slight
est trace OF insanity or emotion.
She refused to give any of the de-
tails Of the plot or It's reason or give
the source of her information.
Il am not mad nor Joking when
tell you that plot has been made to
kill you, and that it will be carried out
unless you leave Omaha Immediately
was all she would say in answer to
Mr.. Whites questions.
She tried to leave when she had de-
ltvered her message, but was detained
and taken to the office of United Sta
tes Marshal Matthews where she was
closely questioned. She persisted In
her refusal to give any more infor'ma-
ton than she had given to Mr.. White.
The woman Is we'll dressed ard Is
registered at one Of the best hotels In
the city. She wante,1 to return tt, her
home in Fairbury tonight but was not
permitted to leave until the authorities
had fully investigated her story.
Tho indictments.
The United States grand jury. which
has been in session for some time In
postoffice bribery cases and
the Illegal fencing of government ands
IN western Nebraska, made a partial
report to the court, returning twenty
.wo indictments.
One is against former State Senator
Elliott Lowe. charging bribery in con-
lection with the appointment Of a
postmaster at Alma, Neb.: ten are
against ranchmen. charging Illegal
encing, and the others We're Indian
;ases, mostly OF a minor character.
Those against ranchmen include true
bills against Bartlett Richards, presi-
lent of the Nebraska Land and Feed
ng company; and Secretary Charles c.
Jameson, all of Ellsworth, Neb., and
ormer State Senator Frank NJ. Cur
lie, large individual cattle owner OF
Broken Bow, Neb. The other seven
Indictments are against ranchmen of
sherry and Custer counties.
The foreman of the: grand jury stated
o the court that 1t would have later
supplementary report. and 1t is stat
d this addition will include several
more indictments Of rich ranchman.
nd also one against a former state Of
lcial who is charged with disposing OF
considerable amount of government
Military supplies without making re-
ort Of the disposition OF the money.
The Indictment against former State
senator Lowe contained two counts
nd charges conspiracy to violate sec
Ion 1,7Sl of the revised statutes by
to bride Senator Charles H.
Dietrich by acting as intermediary in
he payment OF $40O in consideration
I which j. B. Billings, who at the time
the alleged transaction was post
1aster at Alma, Neb., was to receive
he recommendation by the senator for
appointment. One OF the counts
harges the payment OF 500 and the
Their 5000.
The evidence on which Lowe was In
icted Is said TO have been given by j.
!. Billings. former postmaster at Alma.
was to the effect that when he APP
He'd to Senator Dietrich for reap
ointment he was told that State Sen
tor Lowe had been given the privilege
naming the postmaster at Alma
nd that recommendation from Lowe
'ould receive his (Dietrich's) endorse
tent.
Billings further testified, according to
eports, that he paid Lowe $500 and
liter ]. c. Mitchell was appointed to
ucceed him. Billings testified that the
400 was returned to him with the
tatement that Mitchell had been rec
because Of his paying q
lrger sum of money.
w. r. Bedceo, q resident OF Orleans,
town near Alma. testified to being
lmiliar with the details OF the trans
ction. and corroborated the evidence
iven by Billings. W. A. Billings,
ank cashier. and son Of Postmaster
filings, testified to the return of the |
loney, which he stated was given to
is father by Lowe in the corridor of |
Is bank.
Land Fencing Charged.
Each of the ten indictments III the |
nd fencing cases. contains three |
ounts and all are similarly dawn. /
hey charge. first. erecting fence in |
iolation OF the law pertaining to gov /
nment land; second, maintaining said |
,nces; and third, ohstructing passage
cross government lands.
The Illegal fencing of these lands, |
hich are located in Cherry, Custer and /
her large counties in western Nebras- I
4, was brought to the attention Of the
terror department several months
20. w. A. Richards, special land COM
lssioner for the interior department, |
nd Captain John C. Mosby. were dele
,ted to investigate the matter. and as
result 1t was left In charge OF Dis
let Attorney w. s. Summers.