The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1906-01-26
IS WATCHING
THE JURORS
State Has Detective With Eye on Muir.
ply Case Jurors-Examfnation is
Trying on Witness Today.
Especial to The Evening Times.

Especial to The Evening Timest
Fargo, N. D. Jan. 26.-The redirect
examination of Major Murphy was
concluded this forenoon and the re-
cross examination taken up. Several
old; scores were brought up by the
prosecuting attorney and the examine
ton was pretty severe on the witness.
1t has been freely circulated today
that the state has detective closely
watching the jury, fearing that an
effort may be made to influence them.
Court will adjourn over until Monday.
Yesterdays Session.
Immediately after court convened
yesterday afternoon the manuscript
of lecture which Major Murphy had
written was offered in evidence. The
state objected but the court allowed
the document to be introduced. The
purpose of the document was to show
that Major Murphy was in the habit
of making upright" rs. On the cross
examination the state attempted to
show that Major Murphy had disguis-
ed his handwriting in signing the
name of Harry Hardy to road tax
receipt, and attention was called espe-
cially to the RS and US. The manu-
script Of Major Murphy's lecture
shows that the RS and VS. are very
similar to those in the Harry Hardy
signature.
Owing to the time the trial of the
case is taking, it is probable that
night sessions will be held. At the
present rate the trial will last week
longer at least, which in this case
and account OF the presence on the
jury of Seventh Day Adventist,
means five days.
Late yesterday afternoon Major
Murphy handed States Attorney
McGee few. The opportunity was
offered during the cross-examination
concerning the defendants transac-
tons with c. E. F. Gordon 1t appears
that the road taxes due the district
in which Mr.. Gordon was overseer
had been paid by draft which had been
sent to the states attorneys office.
The draft was Slightly irregular IN
that 1t was made endorsed by ficti-
tiOus name. y
"As matter of fact were YOU not
aware that Mr.. Gordon had refused TO
accept this draft and do you not know
that 1t has been in the hands of the
states attorney ever since?" asked
Attorney Townsend.
Inc witness replied in the negative.
You knew that the draft had been
sent to the states attorneys Officer"
persisted the attorney.
Il knew Mr.. Gordon was there and
l sent the draft to him." was the re-
ply.
you had that draft made in that
way and sent it to the states attor-
ney's office knowing that that official
would examine it. You had sufficient
confidence in the states attorney to
send the draft to his Officer"
Il knew Mr.. Gordon was in the Of
flee. had no confidence in the states
attorney"
You have never had confidence IN
the states attorney, have you?"
Not in the, present states attor-
ney. Not in MCGEE. have no con
fidence in his ability OF his honesty.
l have had in some states ATTORNEYS
but not in him" M,
States Attorney MCGEE smiled grim
ly at the retort of the witness.
Just before the adjournment, the
prosecution attempted to introduce
road tax receipts for the years 1902
and 1903. The defense objected. The
prosecutions was not inclined at the
time to state for what purpose the doc
uments were desired in evidence and
the matter was left for argument this
morning.
The fact that Judge Pollock has al
ready permitted SO much evidence to
be introduced which has no close con-
nection with the particular offense
with which Major Murphy is charged
in the Crowder indictment on which
ne is now being tried. has been the
subject of considerable comment in
legal circles.
1t is admitted that. in case of a
conviction. the fact will be made the
basis of an appeal.
This morning the prosecution was
permitted to interrogate the defendant
concerning road receipts issued in
1903. but the receipts were not intro
duced in evidence.
All during the cross-examination
the prosecution has attempted to show
that ex-County Treasurer Williams
and Major Murphy were in "cahoots"
on road tax matters and just before
suspending his cross-examination az
the defendant Attorney Townsend
again touched on the subject.
Did you ever have any trouble
about road overseers' receipts before
Mr.. Williams term of office expired :"
asked the attorney. Il d
An objection BY Judge Lauder was
overruled and the witness replied IN
the affirmative. t,;s q
Was the genuineness OF any recent
which had passed through your hands
questioned before Mr.. Williams term
OF ONCE expired !" persisted the at
torney. H3 8 5.' 2
No. was the reply and the attor-