Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1905-05-23
The Notorious Omaha Gambler, After Long
Fight, Compelled to Face
the Jury
Sensational Trial Growing Out of the Famous Pollock Diamond
Robbery and the Parole of the Man Who Did the Stealing
Begun TodayJury Secured This Afternoon and the Open
ing Statement For the State NadeHstory of the Case
Special to Times epublican.

Special to Times Republican.
| Red Oak, May ga jury was Sc
cured in the Tom Dennison trial this
| afternoon and Congressman Smith is
now making the opening statement
| for the prosecution.
Special to Times Republican,.
Red Oak, May 23.-The Dennison
trial was begun promptly this morning
and the work of securing a Jury was
wei under way at noon today. Twen-
ty-five jurors had been examined and
twelve passed temporarily 1t looks as
if the jury would be completed today
and the opening statements will be
made tomorrow. OF those passed six
are farmers. One juror was challeng-
ed by the prosecution on account of
moral character and the challenge was
sustained by Judge Green. An unusual
thing in this case is the fact that Den
n'son fears farmer jury Attorney
Thomas says the prospects for a con-
viction are good.
One of the most notable trials in the
annals of Iowa crime began this morn
ing, when Tom Dennison was arraigned
before Judge w. r. Green, for compile
ity in the notorious diamond robbery
near Missouri Valley, Harrison county.
Iowa, Nov. 4, 1892, when a diamond
salesman named Pollock was attacked
in broad daylight on moving train
and shot into helplessness by Sherman
Morris, alias Frank Shercliffe, and $780,
600 worth of diamonds secured by the
thief who escaped only to be captured
later. The crime of itself was SO bold
ly conceived and so desperately carried
to it's conclusion as to render it not
able in the history of crime. Suisse
quent Developments hidden circum-
stances, brought to light years after
the crime itself was committed, cor
respondence unearthed and a very
prominently itenlized account of ex-
penses kept by Tom Dennison have
connected the names and the fame OF
men pre- eminent in politics.
Thru discovery, confession and the
various channels by which concealment
finds an outlet, the names of l.. NJ.
Shaw, secretary of the national treas
ury, and former governor of Iowa; G..
g. Hipwell, eX-state senator; II. g.
Mcmillan, United States district attor-
ney for the northern district OF Iowa;
John N Baldwin. solicitor for the c.,
r. 1 & P. railroad; Joseph Blythe, gen
eral solicitor of the Burlington; Judge
N. NJ Hubbard during his life time
the leading attorney for the c. d n. W.
railroad, and others of minor import
ance, have been linked with the Dennl-
son, case in one way or another
Tom Dennison is not on trial alone,
at Red Oak How he reached UP from
the perlieus of the underworld. of crime
to knock successfully at the door OF
executive clemency in behalf of an
unrepentant criminal like Sherclltfe, is
part of the case against Tom Dennison
which the public is waiting to have eX-
planned. or exploited. All this may new
err come. out in the trial. 1t is not
part of the indictment drawn by the
attorneys, but 1t is part of the 1ndlct-
ment drawn by the public ir the case
of the State VS.. Tom Dennison.
The Robbery in 'e2.
In 1892 Tom Dennison had head
quarters in Omaha. He was gambler
and consorted with the disorderly ele-
ment. His acquaintance and influence
were wide among the men and women
who live against the law and not under
it, Among his hangers ON was Frank
shercliffe a boy not yet in hits majority
but a criminal with a reputation for
taking desperate chances and carry
ing them off on his nerve with success.
It was late in the fall Of that year
that w. G. Pollock the diamond sales
man struck Omaha. He carried an as
sortment Of gems mounted, cut and
uncut worth. about $4,000. He solicited
trade among the deni monde OF the
town and exposed his stock freely.
Among other places visited he called
by invitation at pawn shoI. conduct
ed by a jew, to show diamonds to some
men posing as western ca'ttlemen of
great wealtl It Is said that one other
a worthless young fellow sat in the
corner and marked the features of the
salesman and the value Of the gems.
Pollock went from Omaha to Sioux
CITY. From there he took "a train on
Sioux City and Pacific for Omaha
The coach had the usual number of
passengers lounging in the seats. AS
the train neared California Junction
black haired young man arose and
faced Pollock "Give me them dia-
tried to leap to his feet, but the rob-
der beat him back half stunned with
a savage blow. Pollock still struggled
Then Shercliffe drew a heavy revolver
and put a bullet thru each shoulder
Of the salesman and when in his dis
abled condition the wounded man still
attempted to save his valuable sam
pies. Shercliffe beat him into uncon
seriousness, reached deliberately into
the inside coat pocket of the mer-
chant and secured the wallet contain
ing the diamonds. The other pas
sengers were rigid with fright. Sher-
cliffe pulled the bell cord and as the
train slowed imp leaped unhlrt down a
steep embankment and Ned unmolest
ed with diamonds worth princes
ransom From the time THAT he left
the train at California Junction the
re,bber and the diamonds disappeared.
The diamonds We're never recovered.
Finkerton. after long chase. ran
down Shercliffe at Eagle, Colorado,
where he had been arrested with kit
of burglar tools on his person. Pol
lock, who had long before recovered,
identified him. He was brought back
ON requisition and tried at Logan
in Harrison county, Iowa.
Dennison Aids Shercliffe.
Then Dennison and the underworld
got busy. Judge Van Wagenen of
Sioux City was on the bench. He says
the crooks and criminals ilocked into