The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-03-15
THUGS HIRED TO MURDER
Rev. DR.. Parkhurst's Life in Danger
Il from Plot.

Rev LIZ. -CnaTleS, II. sTafKnurSL mas w
peared outside Of his own home for
armed guard, because. of a report made
to the pastor Of the Madison Square
Presbyterian church that he was to be
murdered by thugs In the employ of
at least two members of the police de-
partment.
: AS a result Of this report, the dis
trict attorney has been making for
weeks careful investigation, which
has reached such stage that Assist
fore Magistrate Wahle yesterday and
arranged for a John Doe proceeding in
the case. But because news of the fact
leaked out, the John Doe proceedings
may be abandoned, and Mr.. Jerome may
take the entire case directly before
the grand jury.
It is known that subpenas are out
for Police Sergeant John Shields and
Patrolman John Phelan.
Hired to Kill Him.
The district attorney has the aft.
davits of two men who swear they were
hired to kill DR.. Parkhurst and that
they were to be paid for the job. One
Of the men denied knowledge Of the
plot until Tuesday night, when he broke
down under the operation of the third
degree and corroborated the man who
alleges that he was first approached by
the police. s.. -, .. -.
This man is Lawrence Rogers, about
so years old, once prison guard or
| Blackwell s island and sometimes used
| by the police as a stool pigeon. 1t is
| said that they had absolute confidence
| in him. ~
During the last city campaign Rogers
was employed by Rogert A. Kelly, sec
| o@o,s
Ign, and manager of District Attorney
Jerome's speaking campaign, to carry
pamphlets around, He attended many
of the meetings at which Jerome spoke
and became a sort of bodyguard fol
Mr.. Kelly. Mr.. Kelly treated Rogers
so well that, feeling grateful and wish
ing to do something in return, Rogers
says, he told Mr.. Kelly of the alleged
plot against Parkhurst directly before
OF Immediately after the closing of the
campaign: $50, ~ &. .sessa.
Story Of Hired Thug.
Rogers story is about as follows
cial in this Ie city s who ASKED him Pa W6ethe
he had the nerve to do anything tina
he was asked to do. Rogers reptile
that he had, and the police official toll
him that his superior would gladly pa.
$500 to have HDr. Parkhust IS ligh
put out just how DR.. Parkhurst wa
} to be killed the police official did no
say, but Mr.. Rogers says he told hir
that he (Rogers) would get $500 of tn
$500, and that the official would kee
!, 5000 for himself. -. - ~
This was perfectly satisfactory t
Rogers and he was taken to the supe
rior officer, whom he had known for:
long time. The latter told Rogers, tn
| latter says, that he was not quit
ready to have the Job done, but tha
he would let him know when the tim
came. ,...... .....,- 81. -.
The reason for this delay was,
was said, the fact that DR.. Parkhurs
was then in Europe.
-" Got Another Man In.
When Rogers told Mr.. Kelly hi
story, the latter advised him to &c
another man introduced to the polio
official that there might be corrol
grafton Of his story. Rogers, it /!
said, selected Richard Wilson, an att
letic young man Of 20 or 81, out Of en-
ployment at the time. Rogers, withor
revealing the fact that he had tol
Kelly of the plot. informed Wilson {
it is said that Wilson agreed to Estur
the trick Then Rogers took Wilso
to the first police official and told hi
that Wilson had agreed to kill D
Parkhurst. After that, Wilson says
his affidavit, he saw the police of6ci
who was to deliver the money, and w'
for Rogers, Wilson and the first pole
official. Wilson agreed to this.
All this was told to Mr.. Kelly, wi
told DR.. Parkhurst of the alleged pl
\ | and warned him to be on his guard.
! Sleuths on the Trail.
Frank Moss and Superintendent M
Clintock Of the Parkhurst society we
. called into conference. It was agree
that both Rogers and Wilson should
Swallowed. Wilson was Swallowed OF
day to the police station to which tt
man higher up' was attached, b,
the official was not in when wilse
called.
l Then followed a series Of conference
and little over month ago Mr.. Mo
4 Laid the matter before District ATTIC
ney jerome. Mr.. Jerome placed h
detective, force at Mr.. Moss dispos;
The detectives finally succeeded
overhearing conversations betwe
Rogers and Wilson.
It is understood that Jerome and [
Parkhurst gained knowledge Of the co
spiracy soon after it was brewed T
prosecutor apparently has not be
I proceedings being started until with
4 the last few days.
EXCHANGES TALK MERGER.
ID New York March 15.-A movement is on Fl
Il q members