The Mankato free press., 1906-02-09
Grand Jury on a Record Break
ing Spirit.
RETURNS -FOUR INDICTMENTS
Arrangements Made Today; One Wit
ness Offered Money to Remain
Away from Manka'o.
From Wednesdays Daily.

The grand jury did its work in rec
ord breaking time, and after finding
five indictments was discharged at 1885
o'clock yesterday afternoon. The jury
was not called until ii a. IN. After
work and examined fourteen witnesses
with the result that the five indct
ments were found. Having no other
business it presented its final report
and was discharged with the thanks and
compliments of the court.
The celerity with which the work was
performed is largely due to the rapid
and efficient work of County Attorney
Wilson, who had his witnesses on the
ground and the cases well in hand The
record Is one to be proud of.
Frank Herrick of Sac City, Iowa, Is
the main witness against Charles Pierce
the man who beat him out of 50 on the
short change trick. He states that
friends of Pierce offered him money if
he would remain away from Mankato
upon the assembling of the grand jury
He would not listen to them, and did
not even inquire how much they were
willing to put up. The officers believe
that they would have given him consid-
erable to remain away.
Detective Bresnan of the Omaha road
states that influence was also brought
to bear upon him by Mrs. Pierce and
others to have the case dropped. Mrs.
Pierce claimed to be i'll and shed tears,
but this did not have the desired eff
feet.
Mrs Pierce has been in the city sew
eral times of late. and has done cOnsid-
cradle travelling about in the effort to
raise money for her husband. 1t will
be remembered that when arrested,
Pierce claimed that she was very sick
and probably on her death bed. She
appeared III excellent health TO those
who have seen her in this city.
Mr.. Bresnan states that Pierce is the
mans real name, and that his use of
the name of Martin Rose in Chicago is
merely for the purpose of covering some
thing up. He may have several aliases
The parties who were indicted were
arraioned this forenoon. The first call
ed up was Edward Pierce, indicted as
Charles Pierce, charged with swindling
by means of the short change trick. c.
L. Benedict appeared as his attorney
and he took until tomorrow at Il. III
to plead.
,Jot Williams was indicated jointly
with John Doe OH the charge of grand
larceny in the second regree, and ". n
Plymat was appointed as his attorney
He took until a. III. tomorrow to plead
John Dotson was arraigned OH an in
dictment charging grand larceny in the
second degree, and entered plea of not
guilty. w. r. Geddes appeared as his
attorney. He had been out on bail, but
was remanded to the county jail.
Edward Wilson was charged in an in
dictment with grand larceny i'll the Sec
ond degree, and took until tomorrow at
9 a. m. to plead. w. y. Plymat was
appointed his attorney.
The divorce case of Alice L. Phelps
VS.. Jay H. Phelps was tried yesterday
afternoon. Cruel and inhuman treat
ment was alleged. The court made an
sought for be granted.
The suit of the Fairmont Nursery
company VS.. Robert Peterson went tt
trial this afternoon. This is tire second
trial of the case, the jury having dis
agreed the first time. Allen g. Ward OF
Fairmont are the plaintiffs attorneys
and B. G. Reynolds of Winnebago and c
n Andrews of this city appear for th'
defendant.
The motion for continuance in th'
cases of Oscar and Sarah Larson vs.
Henry Giesecke was denied.
The suit of j. NJ. Harris VS.. Rober
Burgess and others was continued by
consent.
In the case of Jay j. Chittenden vs.
the Great Western road, the motion
for leave to amend the complaint wa'
allowed.
A motion for continuance was mad,
in the case of Harry Stroesser VS.. Ott'
Neitge.
The Jury cases were set for trial in th'
following order as they appear on thu
calendar. l. 9. ). 6, Z. 8. l3. lS. 81. 20