The Idaho recorder. [volume] (Salmon City, Idaho) 1886-1927, 1907-06-13
ORCHARDS HE|N0US GRIMES j
awts Opening Address to the Juy--Of(hdfd (nesseS 70
Many Murders, and Claims to Have Been PAID
Assassin Of Western Federation.


group OF lawyers, the state today
made the opening statement against
William -. Haywood whom 1t
charged with the murder OF former
Gov. Frank Steunenberg, and then
began the presentation OF the testi-
mony by which 1t hopes TO prove the
indictment laid against him.
The opening statement was a
broad, sweeping arraignment OF the
leaders OF the Western Federation Of
Miners, who were charged with plot
| ting Wholesale murder and hiring as
sassins all In giant conspiracy OF
vengeance upon those who INSTRUCTED
their sway, To destroy opposition by
terrorism, to control the political
districts Of the communities covered
by their organization, and to perpet-
uate their own power within the Or
ganization.
1t charged widespread conspiracy
dating In inception from the North
Idaho disturbances fifteen years ago
reaching down to the murder OF
Steunenberg, and whose murdered
victims, by bullet and bomb, num-
bered scores. Hawley declared that
wherever In the mining sections Of
the coast states the federation bad
been In control there had been left
trail OF blood to mark its operations.
or the hired assassins, he cried
.'They made murder become a trade
and assassination means of living"
As to the general conspiracy Mr..
Hawley said:
II have said. gentlemen, 1t has
been part OF their object and policy
to control the policies of the various
sections where they have lived, where
they have existed, where their Or
ganization, their subordinate lodges,
have adAcontrol.
This conspiracy, this collision,
these crimes, this understanding be-
tween the leaders OF this organiza.
ton, together with some that were
associated with them IN a subordin-
ate role, together at other times,
with Others that upon the outside
played Into their hands who were
necessarily brought into their conf
dence, has, as 1 have stated before,
caused the death and been the real |
cause Of the death OF Gov. Steunen-
berg.
1T Is we'll, then, for us to inquire |
as TO the Justice OF this collision and |
this conspiracy. 1t Is we'll to go into
the objects OF these leaders In accord
ance with the principles that actuat-
cd them In efrecting this organiza-
ton, so far at least ,rs Is necessary In
order to enlighten us as to this par.
ticular crime that Is charged.
ION this. gentlemen, will say
that We expect to prove, and have
been exact In this matter and will
call 1t to your attention with words
that have considered that this was
not the only object of this organiza.
ton; that although the persons COM
posing the executive committee, so
far as their personality was con
cerned, have changed at various
times their objects, the ideas OF the
leaders OF the body have never
changed.
by mutual agreement and under
standing of these leaders at the very
inception Of this organization certain
objects were aimed at, and II has al.
ways been the object OF the inner
circle Of this organization to accom-
plish them. In fact, we will prove
TO you, gentlemen OF the jury, that
ut the inception of this organization
a conspiracy was formed by the mem.
bers OF the inner circle, the object
OF which was TO perpetuate their
own power and control In the organi-
zation itself and in the governmental
matters OF the different sections of
the mining country, wherein they
had control, 10y employing, gentle
men, desperate criminals To commit
and other atrocious crimes
by unusual and alarming methods
against those who in official position
refused TO be influenced by their
wishes and those who In private lie
ran counter To their interests.
"we viii 20 further, gentlemen of
the jury, and prove as part OF our
case, and as showing who is respon-
sible for the murder OF Frank Steun.
enberg, as showing the circumstances ,
surrounding that murder and who
caused 10 to he committed. that the
leaders OF this federation. the men .
who compose the inner circle, have
for more than eight years past made
d record OF deeds OF violence and ,
that their chosen methods and course
aud custom has left trail OF blood .
la the mining sections OF this entire
coast wherein they have had control,
We will show that the leaders who 4
the inner circle have ,
traded In blood, employed hired as ,
sassins to take life and destroy prop ,
srty rs their Interests seemingly ~. ,
laired, and rs part Of their general 4
practice OF protection have raised by 4,
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