The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-03-29
ARMOUR Man IN
BEEF JURY'S net
General Superintendent for Pack
ers Arrested for Tampering
with Witness.
Now York Sun Special Service.

.,,.
Chicago, March 29:-Thomas J. Con-
4, Co., was arrested last night at his
residence, 1924 Michigan avenue, on q
bench warrant issued by Judge San
born, after the federal grand jury had
voted an indictment charging him with
continuing corruptly to influence and
intim idate witnesses who are expected
to give testimony before the federal
tion.
+. The penalty for the offense charged
is a fine of not more than $500 or i'm
prisonment for not more than three
months,; or both.
When confronted by Deputy United
States. Marshal Thomas Currier, who
read him the warrant, Mr.. Connors was
everything to avoid publicity be done.
Mr.. Connors immed iately telephoned to
the general counsel for Armour & Co.,
Alfred R. Urion, and to Edward Tilden
of Swift & Co. All three accompanied
the deputy marshal to the Monadnock
building, where Judge Sanborn fixed the
bond at $4,000. The bond was signed
. Charges Against Connors.
The indictment charges MI. Connors
with trying to influence and intimidate
John E. Shields of Brooklyn, former
employee of, Armour & Co., who is in
Chicago as a witness before the grand
jury. It is >recited that Mr.. Connors
gave Mr.. Shields carte blanche to use
the private Offices of Armour & Co.,
private business, and that he and other
witnesses were entertained by Mr.. Con-
nors and instructed as to what they
should and should not tell the jury
about the private affairs Of Armour
& Co. There are two specific counts
in the indictment, which are, in brief:
March rs, l9o5' Thomas as Conn fr con
Shields in the discharge of his duties
as witness, by inducing him to testi-
fly before the grand jury for Armour
g. Go. and not to testify fully on be-
half of the United States. That he
unlawfully discussed with Shields mat
ters pertaining to the inquiry, and sug-
gested that Shields should refuse and
matters and violations of law.
That Thomas j. Connors, March rs,
1905, unlawfully and corruptly did en-
deavor to influence witnesses in attend
ance on the grand jury, but whose
names are to the grand jurors as yet
unknown.
Confession by Shields.
It is said the Indictment is based on
a confession made by Shields, who has
been in Chicago since the investiga-
tiona was started. He appeared before
the New York grand jury and gave
some testimony which the federal au-
thorities considered of so much impor-
lance that Shields was summoned to
Chicago.
Shields is said to have informed the
grand jury that he was approached by
Mr.. Connors on his arrival here and
by other persons and instructed con-
corning what he should testify when
he went on the witness stand.
It is stated in the Indictment that
HJohn E. Shields had knowledge of
matters pertaining to the said viola
tion 50 charged to have been commit.
ted.'
According to Shields testimony, as
borne out by the text of the .indict-
ment, he was treated like prince by
Mr.. Connors and other officials and
employees Of Armour & Co. Besides
having the use Of the private Offices
of the company in the Home Insurance
building, at EOS La Sale street, Mr..
Shields was accorded the privilege Of
using the private telegraph wires Of
the COMPANY.