The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-10-12

IF the defense in the Ames case ex-
pected to profit by the loss of certain
documents which could not be found for
the last trial, they were disagreeably
surprised this morning when Judge w.
A. Kerr calmly produced the missing
papers and succeeded in getting them
before the jury.
These documents are list of the wo-
men who paid "prot - money dur
ing the Ames regime and Gardner's
commission to act as special police
officer, issued at the order of the then
mayor:
At the first trial one Of the most con.
vincing bits Of evidence was the. list of
these women of the town written in
DR.. Ames' handwriting and found on
Ames' desk by his secretary, Thomas
When this document was wanted at
the last trial, it was not to be for nd
anywhere. Its disappearance was 1lys-
terious. A futile effort was made to, get
the facts concerning it before the jury
by secondary evidence and thru the
loss of this and of the commission which
thority to collect the graft, the state 9
case was materially weakened.
When Judge Kerr took charge Of the
case he began an investigation. And
the result of it, kept quiet until this
morning, was the bomb exploded in the
representative produced both documents
and asked Gardner, to identify them,
which he promptly did,
elbow did you, know where these
places were7' asked Judge Kerr of
Gardner.
''I had list Of them.''
"Who gave you that list''
Cdr. Ames.'
"In whose handwriting was it9''
"'In the DOCTORS handwriting.
"Now, I will ask you if this is the
list you refer to?' said counsel, hand
ing him well-worn paper.
eyes, sir; that is the list.'
"What was it given to you forR'
"To copy.'
Thomas r. Brown will likewise iden-
tffy this list and will testify to hav'
ing found it in DR.. Ames,' desk.
The commission was also introduced
as evidence and made strong point
against the defendant.
The disappearance Of these docu
ments is surrounded with mystery
Judge Kerr will not say where they
were found. He simply. smiles, and il
known, some one connected with the
case would not feel complimented.
The Trial Opens.
The bribery trial was begun in ear
nest before Judge Harrison this morn
ing. Immediately upon the convenin|
dress the jury in behalf of the State
which he is appointed to represent.
After an eloquent opening, dealin!
with the general duties and response
bilities of the Jurors, the attorneys ant
lining the evidence and proof Of the de
PENDANT 8 guilt.
The Indictment, the one upon which
DR.. Ames was tried once before, charge
the defendant with receivss ing a bride O.
800 from Bessie Lee in return for whic]
an illegal and disorderIy house. Judg
Kerr said:
ave shall show to you that d.
Ames started and organized and sys
tematized system Of graft looking to
ward the collection of money from won
known as the red light district.'''
Mr.. Cary objected but the court over
ruled his objection.
Counsel then proceeded to detail wha
the state intends to prove, how Dl
Ames conceived the scheme Of collectin
how he selected Irwin A. Gardner a
his collector and how that young mar
under tSo defendants orders, did col
lect and turn over to the mayor larg
sums, how he was given a commissio
to aid him in his work and was give
assistance from NOrDeck ana Othe
members of the police department.
City Clerk L. A. Lydiard, the frs
witness, testified that DR.. -Ames too
the oath Of office as mayor Jan. Z, 190'
Gardeners Familiar Story.
Irwin A. Gardner, who has become a
accomplished witness thru long e.
perience, calmly took his place in tn
chair.
In reply to Judge Kerr's question