Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-05-23

Red Oak, May 22.-Tomorrow morn
ing at 9 o'clock In this little
city Of 1000 souls, will com
mence one of the most notable
trials in the history of Iowa. The
trial of Tom Dennison, Omaha policy
king, gambler, political boss and prac-
tically in control Of the municipal gov
ernment of Omaha. In his trial it Is
expected that light will be thrown up
on the connection which Tom Denni-
son has had with crooks and knaves
OF generation in the middle west,
and finally upon the alleged connec-
tion which he had with the robbery of
w. L. Pollock, New York diamond
merchant.
Primarily the robbery Of Pollock Is
thesp spiYotable point of the prosecution.
Upon it hinges the question Of guilt
and all the other issues, however for
eign to the case itself.
The Diamond Robbery.
On November 4, 1892, w. L. Pollock,
representing a. diamond house of New
York, boarded Northwestern passen-
ger train at Sioux City bound east. In
his inner coat pocket he carried a
chamois skin bag containing $4,000
worth Of uncut stones. He carried
himself inconspicuously and after
boarding the train he went at once to
the smoker, where he disposed of his
grips and took a seat
The car was soon occupied by a
number of other passengers, some
farmers and others travelling statesmen,
at least a dozen of them A little be-
hind the rest came a beardless young
fellow. apparently a country youth,
dressed very roughly and wearing a
soft slouch hat. He seated himself in
the forward part Of the car, which was
a combination smoker and baggage
car, and soon after the train started
Nothing unusual occurred until the
train was within a short distance of
Missouri Valley. Here, while the
passengers were quietly reading or
chatting, the seemingly harmless coun-
try lad rose from his seat and walked
swiftly to where Pollock sat and draw.
ing a revolver from his pocket, he said
loud enought so all could hear:
"Give me those diamonds"
The Assault on Pollock.
Without reply Pollock Immediately
offered resistance and attempted tc
rise from his seat There were nc
further words spoken except the curses
Of the robber, With the butt of his
revolver he rained blow after blow on
the head and arms Of the hapless dia
mond merchant. Then he reversed the
weapon and fred two shots into the
body Of the now almost dead
Pollock. At the first suggestion of rob
berry the fellow passengers scrambled
under the seats and behind the stove
and rendered themselves generally in
conspicuous. Meanwhile Pollock hac
been rendered unconscious and
robber. Frank Shercliffe, alias ST
man w. Morris, alias "Kid" Mccoy
alias James Burke, leaped from the
moving train with the bag of diamond:
in his possession and made good his
escape, leaving his victim more deac
than alive on the floor of the smokins
car.
In September Of the following yea,
Shercliffe YVES captured in Colorado
through the efforts of the jewelers.
Protective association, and on Septem
her % of the same year he was placed
behind the bars at Ft. Madison tt
serve seventeen year term.
Dennison's Alleged Part.
It was Aere that Tom Dennison be
came prominent in the behalf of Sher
cliffe. This interest first became man
ifest through his evident efforts to sc
cure parole for the sentenced con
vict and in 1900, during the admins
tration Of Hon. Leslie NJ. Shaw, secre
tary Of the treasury, then governor o
Iowa. Shercliffe was released on pa
role.
At this time also number of tn,
prominent politicians of Iowa wer
mentioned with the matter. The mos
prominent particle of evidence was th
famous Statement Of expenses" mad
out by Dennison, ostensibly Is shoy