The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-07-11

independence after the explosion. with
a team, and being taken back by the
authorities.
He had to employ counsel, and want
! ed to know if the federation could not
| reimburse him. He said he had no idea
| as to who blew up the depot, and did
not believe that Orchard knew any
| thing about it either. Neville wanted
| to be reimbursed in the sum of 5000.
Meyer said he investigated the matter,
found that Neville had never been
member of the union. and told him he
| could be granted no relief.
At Dinner With Orchard.
Harry Orchard came to see him in his
| office June %. 1904, and asked him out
| to have a drink, Meyer said. He was
| busy at the time, but told Orchard if
J he cared to wait he would go out with
him later. Orchard waited in the outer
| office. and when Meyer was through,
the two men went out to dinner to-
gether and had a few glasses of beer.
Meyer said that after this occasion he
never saw Orchard again.
Did you ever have any arrangement
of any sort with Harry Orchard as to
the killing of any one?"
II never had any arrangement of any
sort with him and never even discussed
the killing of any one with him."
do you know of any money having
been paid him for killing or attempting
to kill any one?" Darrow asked, once
more.
There never was any money paid to
him so far as 1 know.
Meyer denied that Orchard was ever at
his house in the Aberdeen flats and also
fatty denied Orchards statement that
the witness and Haywood and Pettibone
and Orchard met in Petitioners back
yard in August 1905. and discussed the
killing of Governor Steunenberg.
Il was never in Pettibone's backyard
with orchard in August, 1905, or any
other time
Did you know orchard in any other
way than as you have testif1ed?"
Il knew him just as l knew other
members of the organization and the
only money transaction between us was
when 1 paid for his meals and hotel
in the trip to Ouray."
did you ask Orchard to kill Johnny
Neville or Gid Neville ever demand any
money of you for what he knew about
the Independence depot explosion
Denies Suggesting Murder.
Il had no object in asking orchard
to take the life of Mr. Neville, rep1ed
Meyer in the same calm voice which
has characterized his examination
throughout. Mr.. Neville had never
edge he might have had about the In
dependence depot could not possibly
have had any connection with me- Mr.
Neville did not and could not have
made any threats to mel had nothing
to fear.
Did you ever tell Harry orchard
that your health was too delicate to |
have any more crimes committed in |
Colorado and that he had better go TO
Idaho?"
L never discussed crimes with Orch |
ard and could not have made such a
statement"
Adams after the Cripple Creek strike.
Meyer told of having come to Silver |
City, Idaho, in October, 1905. to visit |
the local unions of the Western FEEDER |
Of nf Miners @
Caldwell; he did not know there was |
such a place at that time. He knew |
nothing of the whereabouts OF Orcnaro
or Simpkins at this time.
Did you ever receive a letter from |
Harry Orchard at Butte asking you for
s1OO?'
mo sir; 1 never received any letters
from Orchard from any place or any |
kilograms either"
Did you write him any letters?"
No. sir; 1 never had any communl-
cation with him of any kind.
Meyer declared that he had never
heard any therats against Governor
Steunenberg. He knew absolutely moth
ing about 1T in advance and had never
three days after the death the papers
contained a notice of the arrest OF
Thomas Hogan, who had registered
from Denver, Meyer knew Orchard had
gone by this name when he left Grip
pie Creek. The papers which contain
ed the story of Orchards arrest also be-
gan to charge the Western Federation
of Miners with being responsible for
the crime
Getting Orchard a Lawyer.
January 4, 1905. Meyer said cipher
telegIa am was received from Spokane.
The federation had had cipher mes
sage code ever since its organization
and used it in the general transaction
of business. 1t was part of the ritual
and was used for sending out pass
words, etc. The cipher was here intro
duced as evidence. 1t was merely
letters. The telegram was also offered
in evidence.
The message was from Jack Simp-
kins and, translated, read as tollows
Get a lawyer to defend Hogan. An
swer. L. ]. Simpkins.''
Meyer said Simpkins was the member
Of the executive board who had charge
of the Idaho district, and it was his
duty to take care of any trouble which
occurred in the district. Simpkins was
implicated by Orchard in his early at
tempt on Governor Steunenberg, and
has never been apprehended.
Upon receiving the telegram, Meyer
said he consulted Mr.. Murphy, the fed
sration's attorney in Denver, and was
advised by him not to act hastily in
It over. The witness declared that he
lid not actually know whether the tel
sgram was from Simpkins or not.
Asked if he knew of any unfriendly
person having possession of a code or
ritual, Meyer said the desks of several
Dotted during the trouble there.
Meyer said he was called to Chicago
after consulting Murphy and the mat
ter of employing counsel for Orchard
was left IN the hands of Secretary Hay
wood.
The dafapse bara introduced a sarieS