The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-04-18

department, came to trial to-day, it
early TRANSFERRED that he would seek
to throw all blame for any official
irregularities upon G. H. Brown, his
former clerk.
Brown was not to be found when
Deputy Sheriffs sought him with a
warrant five months ago. He has
been missing ever since.
But Brown is back. And he will be
a witness for the state against john
son,
| That the defense has relied upon
Browns absence is evident from the
actions of johnson and his attorneys
and. in fact, was admitted by Robert
Kollinet this morning, when he said:
Brown is a fugitive from justice and
that in itself tends to prove his
guilt" Prospective Jurors were asked
by Johnsons attorneys if their
friendship for Brown would influence
them should it be shown that he was
the guilty man. SIS
| Fraudulent Bill Case.
Assistant County Attorneys c. S.. Jel.
Hey and William G.. Leary represent
/ the state and A. II. Hall and Robert
i Kolliner appear. as attorneys for the
defend ant. sThere+ywere no prelim-
| mary motions and the attorneys pro-
I'ceeded without delay to the selection
/ of a jury. which will probably require
| to-day at least.
3 The indictment moved by the state
is one of the two returned last week.
and charges Mr.. Johnson with pre-.
senting a fraudulent bill to public Of
icers for payment. The bill alleged
to be fraudulent is one purporting to
be made out by Scofield & Allen, gro
GERS, and consists largely of items OF
goods which it is claimed were never
delivered by the grocers.
Frederick Guenther and George
Rr1,nn xuara accente6 a il1rOrs ar fhA
| morning session.
i Browns return at this time is UNI
doubtedly a surprise to the defense.
and will be taken full advantage Of by
the state.
| The ex-clerk arrived in the city on
Saturday afternoon and went imme-
diately to the office Of his son in the
Masonic Temple. The county attor-
i ney's office was at once communicated
with and a meeting was arranged be-
tween Brown and Assistant County
Attorney Jelly for that evening. AS
result Of the conference it is under
stood that Brown was subpoenaed as
witness against Johnson. He then
went to the home of his son at Ex-
celsior and has remained there since.
1. His Flight Was Advised.
When seen this morning by The
, Journal. Mr.. Brown absolutely re-
fused to make any statements relative
to the evidence he would give in the
Johnson case If he was called, but was
, willing to talk freely about his fight
from the city and his unexpected re-
i turn.
when went away from my home
, last November, it was at the earnest
!; solicitation Of persons outside of my
family said Mr.. Brown. Il had been
, told that the grand jury was investi-
eating the poor department, and my
!. informant told me that things We're
, SO arranged that everything was to fall
, Fupon me. Realizing my innocence, 1
announced that would not, leave, but
> would make an effort at once to get
! before the grand jury and clear the
! matter. I was told that there was no
> use Of making such an attempt, as
: any such effort on my part had been
blocked This man came to me sew
eral times and continued to urge me
to get away. At that time I did not
see his interest. I now do.
IT was out of work and was short
of funds, so that if an indictment
was returned could not see my way
J clear to securing an attorney; further,
realized the difficulty Of securing
bondsmen. Taking these things into
consideration, i decided to leave the
lefty and remain away until could
raise funds to return and fight any
charge against me. l went to Du-
buque, where my daughter lives; re-
NAMED there a few days and then
made direct for southern California
and have remained there until start
ed home. have been employed most
Of the time in orange groves and have
done some Of the hardest work that
I ever did in my life.
"Since my return have not in any
!, way been promised or offered any
I consideration in return for my testi-
> > mony in the Johnson case. nor have
I I asked for any. With me it Is sim
8 ply a duty I owe myself and family.
!. do not intend to be made a scape-
? goat for any one"
One OF the peculiar things connected
! with Mr.. Browns return was his abil-
: I ity to appear undisguised in the BUSH
: est streets in the middle of Saturday
: afternoon without being accosted by
any one whom he knew. He arrived
: at the Milwaukee depot shortly after
: 4 o'clock, walked up Third avenue s
: past the new city hall, over Sixth
5 street, crossing Nicollet and Henne-
: pin, to the Masonic Temple. The same
night he went to Excelsior on one OF
: the crowded lake trains. His per-
: sonal appearance is the same as when
= he left the city last November.
+ It is rumored that an indictment
3 was returned against him last No
s vember, and IL the rumor is correct