The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1904-01-08
Many Witnesses Testify That
Money Was Demanded and
Paid for the Selection of
Certain Sites for
Buildings.
SYSTEM is FULLY EXPOSED.
st. Louis Man Is Accused Of Act.
ing as Go-Between for Gov
ernment Agent and the
Men With Lot to Sell.
BY A STAFF CORRESPONDENT.

Blanton. an employe of the United States
treasury Department, who formerly
lived in Paris. NO.. and his cousin by
marriage. Doctor J. B. Vernon of St
Louis. 1t is reported. were indicted to-day
by the Federal Grand Jury on four
counts each for alleged frauds in connec-
ton with the selection of Post-Ohce sites
in Columbia. Kirksville. Moberly and
Louisiana Mo.
1t Is said another Indictment was found
charging embezzlement of POST Office
FUNDS. But no name Is mentioned in con-
nection with this Indictment.
As soon as the men shall have been
taken into custody. Circuit Judge Elmer
B. Adams will hold another session of
court in Hannibal to fix the dates Of their
trials.
1 VIII not close this term of court"
said Judge Adams this morning. until I
have set the date for these trials, pro-
vided the men are arrested 1t Is not
the fashion of this court to close the
term and set cases at the beginning Of the
following term when counsel for the de-
Tense are so apt to ask for continuances !"
DOCTOR vERNON'S BROTHER
GIVES TESTIMONY.
United States District Attorney Dyer
had all his evidence in this morning when
T. G. Vernon Of Paola. Kas., a brother
of Doctor Vernon, went before the Grand
Jury and told all he knew about his con-
nection with the cases. Yesterday he
spent only five minutes with the Grand
Jury. This morning he remained in the
room over half an hour.
1t is supposed that he told Of his
brothers coming TO him after the session
Of the December Grand Jury. and asking
that he approach men in Columbia, Kinks
Vile. Moberly and Louisiana for travel
ing expenses" out of the country. The
Kansas Vernon did go to these places, but
he was unable to secure any money.
Government officials connected with this
Investigation, while not talking freely
about the matter, are Of the opinion that
the graft in Post ONCE sites has only been
touched. The warm support that Blan-
ton is receiving by his superiors in Wash
ington will probably result in an inyesti-
cation at that end of the line II President
Roosevelt takes cognizance of develop
ments In Missouri.
Postmaster Sam A. Ekins Of Columbia
says that he more than welcomes an in
vestigation clear up to the top" and is
ready to lend what knowledge he has OBJ
tained since he began his Investigations
It Is known that B1anton and Vernon
worked in Nevada and Joplin, Mo-, but
the officials here do not know whether
they were interested in the selection of
sites outside of this State. 1t is presumed
that Secretary Of the Treasury Shaw
will look into this feature OF the case.
ENTIRELY DIFFERENT
SITUATION IN COLUMBIA.
In Columbia Vernon Is said to have
received s1.e0o for his pull" Now 1t
appears that the title to the site is
imperfect, and may not be Strengthened.
II this Is so, the owners will have to re-
fund $3.50 tc the Government and whis-
tie to Vernon for their s.. 600 which he re-
ceiyed.
In addition to this. United States At
torney William Warner of the Western
District will probably look into the mat
ter OF how the abstract OF title to this
site was obtained. :-a
The Governments witnesses in the CO.
lumbla cases against Blanton and Vernon
will be John A. Stewart, chairman of the
Boone County Democratic Committee, and
James C. Schwabe. chairman Of the Re-
publican County Committee.
Schwabe brought Vernon to Stewart and
paid the 5000 to Doctor and Mrs. Vernon,
while he himself received $3.50 from Stew
art for his services. Both Stewart and
Schwabe were before the Grand Jury last
December. but did not tell everything they
knew. This time they kept back nothing.
They took a lawyers advice at their pre-
vious appearance. but decided to change
their minds at the first opportunity.
DOCTOR vERNON'S BROTHER
AN IMPORTANT WITNESS.
T. @. Vernon Of Kansas saved himself
much trouble by telling ali he knew this
Last evening It appeared that
he was trihing with the Grand Jury in
an effort to shield his brother. Now he
will be one of the Governments chief wit
nesse:
He left this noon for st. Louis with Mrs
J. B. Vernon, whom Colonel Dyer de-
cided not to call before the Grand Jury.
Colonel Dyers vigorous investigation Of
the Post-ofice site graft is characteristic
When friend remarked to him to-day
that he must not be too hard on .'us coun-
try fellows" he laughed and replied:
GA, you ActioW1 Waut u De CdEeIui.
After you once get into trouble It Is hard
for me to help you out in my present po-
sition.'
ELKINS SHOWS
FEELING IN THE CASE.
Postmaster Elkins Of Columbia 10 an
figure in the invessittaion. He
was a witness in December along with e.
W. Stephens. This time he came alone
and voluntarily to add any information
he could to that already secured by the |
Government. Yesterday he talked to |
Stewart and schwabe in q cross-f,re that
showed the feelings the men have for
each other.
W. T. Baird. cashier Of the Baird Ma
donal Bank. will be the chief witness |
against Vernon and Blanton in the Kirks-
rflie case. II IL said that Baird paid |
Vernon 500 for his influence.
H p. Jennings. cashier Of Merchants