The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1904-11-30
Edgar A. Mepham Receives Ap-
pointment From Coroner
Jules Baron.
SHERIFF COULDN'T FIND HIM.
When Wanted to Testify Con
corning Central Traction He
Became "Missing Witness"
Daniels Dismissed.

The first appointment made by q Re-
publican official chosen by the people at
the last election Is that OF Edgar A.
Mepham, known as the missing witness
In the Doodle investigation, whose selec-
ton as Chief Deputy Coroner was an
nounced yesterday by Doctor Jules Baron,
Coroner.
Mepham formerly was a member of the
House Of Delegates. He served in the
House preceding that in which the famous
combine Of nineteen was organized.
Circuit Attorney Folk. in digging into
the secrets OF the combine and Doodle
deals that had COM of previously. ran
across Mepham's name. He obtained In
formation that Mepham could tell ONE
thing about the Central Traction deal.
Consequently a subpoena was issued for
Mepham. who left town and the subpoena
was not served.
The Republic found Mepham in Mem
phis. One of It's staff Of reporters fol-
lowed him there and obtained a statement
from him. Mepham soon afterward re-
turned to st. Louis and went before the
Grand Jury. Later he appeared as a wit
ness for the State against Robert NJ.
Snyder. who was charged with bribery
in connection with the Central Traction
deal. But little information was obtained
from him hat was damaging to Snyder.
In Justice to Mepham, however, 1t Is
stated Dat At the the -Four Courts Trs that his conn me-
place after he had served his term as q
member Of the House Of Delegates. He
held no Official position at the time. and
there was no evidence that he personally
Coroner Baron appeared at the Coroners
office Monday afternoon and took charge
Of the Office. He was accompanied by
Mepham. whom he introduced as the chief
deputy.
Charles H. Daniels who resigned from
the police force after the failure to con-
yict the deputies discharged by Coroner
principal witness, was appointed q Deputy
Coroner by Doctor F~unkhouser.
BUSINESSES DANIELS.
Coroner Baron informed Daniels that
his services would be needed no longer.
The new Coroner at the same time an
nounced that all the other employees under
Doctor Funkhouser would be retained In
definitely, but as soon as he was able to
I'll their positions with capable Reprtlc-
clared. however, thai he would give them
due notice Of their dismissal.
M Len rates Caroner tG as the appointment of
"i did not know Mepham at the time Of
the Doodle investigations. His record in
that connection, SO far as I have been able
to ascertain. is clean, and I regard him as
q man fitted for the position. HIS appoint
ment Is made purely for personal reasons.
I asked him to take the position and he
accepted. That's all there IL to it."
Mepham declared that he did not know
until Monday that there was any Hkeli-
hood Of his getting the position.
Il met Doctor Baron on the street, not
knowing that he considered me In con-
would like to v the poxition. I told him
I had not thought Of 1t. but would give him
an answer later. I considered the matter.
decided to accept 1t, and was appointed.
Politics plays no part In my appointment"
Coroner Baron sent a letter to Mayor
Wells yesterday informing him that the
following employees under Doctor Funk
houser would be retained indefinitely: Miss
Coroner, chief under Coroner Funkhouser;
mofgue keeper; ". J. -Mc0uire, assistant
m0rgue keeper; Edward Booker, once nor
ter, and Anthony Simmons, moreuA porter.
The law requires that the Coroner shaii
qualify and take charge Of the ONCE With
In twenty days after his election. This pro-
vision Of the statute Interrupted q hunting
trip which the new Coroner had arranged
for before the election.
He did not know until the day before he
nle his d 600 bond in order that it could
Be confirmed at yesterdays meeting Of the
City Council. On this account Doctor
Baron takes charge Of his ONCE earlier
than q Of the other newly elected off,
ctalA