The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1904-12-28
COMPL ETE REPORT
OF THE GRAND JURY
Interesting Record Of the First Grand Jury
Which was Called in Ward County Since
Territorial Days Inspect Court House.
STATE OF NORTH DAKOTA, :.
County OF WAsn

STATE OF NoRrH DAKOTA, =.
CouNrY OF Warn
In District Court, Eighth Judicia
District.
The grand jurors Of the grand Stats
.f Noeth Dakota, in aud for the Count,
Of Wasd and State Of North Dakota
respectfully submit to the Hoaorable
l.. J. Palda, Jr., Judge of the District
Court in and for said County aud State
The grand jurors OF the County and
State aforesaid beg leave to report:
That immediately after the converting
Of the court on December 6, 1904, and
after the charge having been delivered
by his Honor, the Judge, to said jurors,
and the Judge aforesaid having selected
one Of its number as foreman of said
grand jurors, and after said foreman and
Jurors having been sworn, according to
law, they at once assembled in the place
appointed for that purpose, and Sc
lected one of their number, as Clerk OF
said grand jury. namely, VIM. Glib,
after which the grand jurors at once
entered upon their labors, and proceeded
to investigate any and all matters Of a
criminal nature that were brought to
their attention, together with the OK
animation Of the public buildings and
records Of Ward county. We therefore
beg leave to report that after due and
careful examination Of all the evidence
brought before the jurors, and the same
having been carefully considered, true
bill was found against each and all Of
them that in the Judgment Of the grand
jurors was guilty OF crime. The indict-
ment or indictments thereafter were
filed in the office of the Clerk Of this
court after first being presented in open
court, and further mention of the cases
above referred to we deem not advisable
in this report, for reasons known to the
court.
We furshcr ask leave to report that
in all cases where the defendant had
given bail for his appearance, or was
detained in the jails of Ward county,
where true sbill was not found, the
recommendation stating the facts, as
found by the jurors, was presented in
open court, and filed with the clerk
thereof. and no further mention of those
cases will appear in this report
We further ask leave to report that
any aud all criminal matters brought to
the notice Of this grand jury. whether
presented through the office of States
Attorney. or by citizens Of the county,
received our utmost careful considera-
ton. This we more particularly state
for the reason that those matters, mostly
refer to the violation of the prohibition
law, and upon which the court gave
special instructions We therefore beg
leave to report certain statements hav-
ing been made in the hearing of some
of the grand jurors, the parties making
SAID statements were summoned before
the jury, and after NJ q. Hall of Mohall,
having been sworn by the foreman Of
the grand jury. to tell the truth and the
whole truth as to the matter then under
investigation, refrained from making
any statement as to his own personal
knowledge, but informed the jury that
the statement made by him, the said NJ
q. Hall, could be proven by the follow
ing witnesses: Fl. H. Steele. Fl. c.. Bartz,
>. Il. Sleeper and George Gibson, said
witnesses we're duly summoned and did
appear before the grand jury and were
Intercepted as to the violation of Chap
ser 67of the Penal Code of North Oak,
known as the Prohibition Law of said
State. as to the violation thereof by the
foEeEing persons, to-wit: Harry Hill,
Harry Porter, Julius Haas, H. C.. Bartz.
Timothy Murphy, Gilbert johnson, Paul
Manthie and Abbie May. And from
SAID examination, and after due consider
alton thereof, it appeared to the salts
faction of the grand jurors, that there
was not sufficient evidence, if any evi.
dence at all, that would warrant con
viction of any Or either of the above
named parties, And for that reason no
'biA was found against them.
we further beg to report and ask leave
to present to this court that complaint
Or notice having come to the grand
jurors that Prohibition Law of the State
had been violated in the village of Bow
bells, in said county by one Sweeney and
one Parker, that subpoenas at once were
issued for the parties who brought the
information or notice to the grand jury.
Although they were residents OF said
village of Eowbells, the sheriff and his
deputies were unable to locate the
parties and serve said subpoenas upon
them. Other witnesses being procured,
and appearing before the grand jury,
and after being sworn by the foreman Of
said jury, and Intercepted as to their
knowledge OF the violation of the Prohi
bition Law. by the parties aforesaid, or
by any other party or parties within the
village of Bowbells. and after the jury
having carefully examined said evidence
it appeared to their satisfaction that
there was no evidence, if any evidence
at all that would warrant the finding of
a true bill against said parties, or any
other parties whose names were I'M
known, and against whom inquiry was
made.
We further ask leave to report that
notice was brought to the grand jury.
and a request made for the grand jury
to investigate as to the violation of the
quarantine established by certain per
sons III the City of Minot. The grand
jurors beg to report that after full and
careful examination thereof, the report
made to them appeared to be without
foundation, and no further action was
taken in the premises.
We further ask leave to report to the
Court that complaint was made to the
grand jurors as to the violation of the
election law BY Gunder S. Reishus,
Register OF Deeds elect, and one Ralph
Abbott that after careful investiga-
ton of the matters, and after the ex-
animation Of witnesses, it appeared to