Omaha daily bee., 1905-08-16
DISPOSITIONS IN GRAIN SUIT
Testimony for State Being Taken Befor,
Notary Public,
ATTORNEY GENERAL CONDUCTS CASE
Personal Attention f. Given ExRmi-
nation OF witnesses By Norris
Brown, who is Push
ing Prosecution

Court Reporter Thomas Wilson OF Judge
Estelles court this afternoon began the
taking OF dispositions on behalf OF the state
in the suit to dissolve the alleged grain
trust. Attorney General Brown is con-
ducting the examination on behalf OF the
state, assisted by former Chief Justice
Sullivan. Messrs JeIeris & Howell. the
legal firm representing Thomas d. Wor,
rail-. who instigated the original suit OF
which this proceeding is an outgrowth,
were also in attendance.
Attorneys Myron l. Learned. Ed p.
Smith and F. A. Brogan Of Omaha are
representing various defendants. They are
backed up by Attorneys Roscoe Pound Of
Lincoln, w. J. Courtright OF Fremont and
w. c. Walton Of Blair.
Miss OvertOn Testihea.
Miss Olive Overton was the first person
whose deposition was taken. She was
| employed in the office OF the westbrook-
| Gibbons Grain company for about year
ending in December. 1904, and had charge
OF the station books. There was one Of
| these for each station where the COM
pany had an agent and in them was kept
| the record OF all grain purchased. Miss
| OVerton gave the names Of the stations
| where the company had agents in Nebraska
| and Iowa. She said IL was the rule to
| make out monthly reports Of purchases of
| wheat, corn, oats, rye and barley which
i were sent to competing firms. Like re-
| ports were received from these firms in
| the Office of the Westbrook- Gibbons COM
pany. There was sometimes complaint
made that the firm she was employed by
got more than its share OF the grain from
| competing firms, but such trouble was
| always adjusted.
| oil % -
cards, containing the prices which were
to be paid next morning. These cards
were made up in consultation by various
people representing the grain companies
after the close of the days markets. They
were sent to the company's agents and
| sometimes also to the agents of other
firms in the same districts. The prices
were not the same on all the cards, but
were identical for stations in the same
district Witness testified she was familiar
with the work in offices of other COM
panies in the alleged combine and the plan
was practically the same so far as she
| could judge.
AIR Coats Come on.
| Following Miss Overton, who was not
cross examined, Thomas d. Worrall was
called. 1t was at this point that At
torney General Brown peeled his coat
|
Mr.. Learned and others to do the same
This led Ed p. Smith to remark;
Il didn't suppose the calling of Tom
Worrall would cause so much nervousness
| He doesn't look dangerous"
Whereat, just as an evidence OF amity
and good faith, the witness dug out OF
his jeans a stout plug of tobacco and
| extended 1t toward Mr.. Learned, who ac-
cepted the plug and took a chew This lit
tie by-play created good feeling all around
with laughter and chatting; but a few
moments later the shadow OF sudden death
fell over the gathering.
While Mr.. Worrall was telling of the
: different grain companies and their or.
ganization, officers and number of ele-
vators, Mr.. Learned was called out. He
came back in a moment and informed the
attorney general that c. II. Won Mansfelde
a young lawyer in his Office had been
drowned at Ashland, where he had gone
on a vacation. At once the attorney gen.
eral moved an adjournment until Wednes.
day morning, which was agreed to in ST.
lence. Afterward the attorneys. most OF
whom knew the young man, gave ex.
preston TO their surprise and sorrow al
the news
After the testimony OF Mr. Worrall, the
following persons will give their deposi
tions: Clara McArdle, stenographer; Edwin
8. Westbrook Augustus II, Bewsher, Hor'
ace G.. Miller, John T. Buchanan, c. T
Pavey, N. b. Updike.
In addition to these many Of the parties
who are interested in the suits begun by
! Worrall and the state are present anC
| taking note of the testimony.