The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1907-09-26

y tached by the prosecution 10 the ap-
= pearance of Senator Foster
<<<<%%&N %~&@$~~%%$%&%
Boise. Ida. Sept. 25.-The first sensa-
ton in the trial of United States Senator
William f. Borah came late today when
Albert KlanOp Nugent the second wit
ness produced by the government, admit
ted on cross-examination that he commit
ted perjury in taking out a timber-land
claim, admitted that he had been prom
ised absolute immunity by an officer of
the federal government for testifying. ad-
mitted that at the request OF the federal
officer he had sworn TO a complaint
against a man whom he did not know,
and lastly, proclaimed that he believed
IL to be a part of his bargain for immun-
fly that he should swear to any complaint
against any person regardless OF any
knowledge that he might have as 10 the
persons guilt When the name of the
federal officer who induced him to sign
the complaint was asked by Senator BO-
rah's counsel the witness swOre positive
ly that he could not remember it.
Land Office Papers.
The day was given over to the introduce
land office here at Boise and to the evil
dence of two men who said they received
money from John l. Wells with which
is one of the men indicted with Senator
Borah- Counsel for the latter did not
object to this testimony on the under
standing that the transaction in question
would ultimately be connected up in some
way with the senator on trial.
The defense scored its first point of the
trial early in the examination of the first
witness, a man named Anderson. He was
asked by Special Prosecutor Rush what
his intent was when he took out timber
claim.
Judge Whitson. who is presiding. sus-
tanned an objection based on the ground
that man confessing perjury as Ander-
son did could not properly testify as to
any secret intent he may have had locked
up in his breast. Anderson and Nugent
both testified that they received from
John R Wells $4l2 with which to prove
their claims, and each received $3.50 ad- !
ditiOnal for transferring the claims TO the |
Barber Lumber company's interests. Two !
bills given to the men by Wells, and a |
letter from Wells to Nugent We're admit |
ted In evidence.
Could Not Remember.
Anderson an elderly Swede, was not
crOss-eXamined, but Nugent admitted that /
he had made no agreement to transfer his 4
lands at the time he filed upon them. He /
said that there never was anything but /
Der where OF in whose presence such a 1
contract was made. Nugent said he wit
messed the papers filed by Anderson, and |
was then confronted by a complaint sign 1
ed by him. charging Louis n. Pritchard 4
with having COnspired with Anderson 10 |
get title to the land. Nugent said he /
didn't know any such person. or anything
about his connection with the alleged land /
frauds. He declared that all he knew /
was what he had read in some newspaper,
3 story to the effect that Pritchard was
involved.
Was Told to Tell the Truth.
Prosecutor Rush demanded TO know of
the witness If any officer of the govern
ment had ever asked him to swear false
ly. Nugent replied that he had always
been told to tell nothing but the truth.
Mr. Rush said be had never heard of MI
gents connection with the Pritchard COM
plant and desired time to look into the
matter before completing his examlna-
ton.