The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1907-03-02
kWH|RTERS REPEAT
THEIR BUNK0 TALE
Preliminary Examination of
Chief of Police Sheets
Began Friday.
OFFICER is CHARGED
WITH CONSPIRACY
Few Spectators Present and
Little Interest Manifested
in the Proceedings.

Alec and Willie McWhirter, the two
Scotsmen who have created such stir
IN local police circles since they ar
rived from "Caledonia, stern and
wild' last September, repeated TO
Judge J. J. Whitaker in the city court
Friday the old, old story of how they
in the neighborhood of $4,000 in a
card game AT the Antler rooming house
September last. The necessity for the
: repetition of the story was the prehm-
mary examination OF Chief of Police
George Sheets who, together with De-
tective J. A. Raleigh and Attorney
William Newton. is charged with enter
ing into a conspiracy to rob tourists
who passed through Salt Lake City, the
McWhirters being alleged to he VIC
Tins.
Little or no interest was manifested
bv the public in the proceedings, this
being evidenced by the fact that but
four spectators were in the court room
when the case opened, and one of them
fell asleep. The story of the McWhir
ters had none of that vim and snap TO
it that il had when first told from the
witness stand. ii still sounds as in
credible as ever; ii is still as startling
on evidence Of the most remarkable
Sc of unsophisticatiou on record; but
~ has become stale and unipteresting,
hot because it still challenges truth,
= hut because it is oft repeated and with
out result.
Chief Sheets was represented in
court by Soren y. Christensen and
Judge S. r. Thurman. County Attor-
ney Hansen conducted the prosecution
Besides Chief Sheets, Detective Raleigh
and Attorney Newton were present
within the bar. Attorney Christensen
moved that the defendants be given
separate hearings and the motion was
granted County Attorney Hansen de-
cided that they proceed with the charge
against Chief Sheets
At the close OF the cross examination
of Alec McWhirter, who was first on
the stand. Judge Thurman moved to
strike out all of the testimony Of the
witness. for the reason that it did not
appear to show in any manner or form
any unlawful act or agreement or com
bination on the part of the defendant
Sheets
In reply Judge Whitaker said he
would reserve his ruling.
Sandy McWhirter on Stand
Upon being sworn Alec (Saudy) Me
Whirter took the stand. H. told about
bis arrival in Salt Lake on September
is, 1906. and registering at the Cullen
HVt'i- ilt IfldItu UltPIInU WIIn the
stranger Morris, who took them TO the
AnHer rooming house and who claimed
acquaintance iwth the famous but
M 4tcal ''colone,f who he was desir-
ousthe laddics should meet and the ap-
pointmcnt made for the previous day.
Alec told of the brothers deciding not
10 meet the unknown man Morris. but
Of his accosting them outside the ROYAL
Iafe the following afternoon and of
their with -,
He told of the DOCTOR and the "min7
ing expert Donaldson and John
oBnen) Tesumiug a game of cards
winch had been interrupted as they
explained they thought the doctor 3
wife was coming.
Judge Thurman asked if Chief
sheetg was present at the card game
and the witness answered that he was
not, whereupon Mr.. Thurman objected
10 The question
County Attorney Hansen argued in
1avor Of Its admission
Inc court WAS of the opinion that
prilna facia case Of conspiracy should
nrst be shown
MT. Thurman contendcd that if
inc state was able TO prove an agree
lneht between the defendant and any
.i ,ituel OF the alleged co-conspirators
they would Just as well prove il in its
natural order as in an abnormal order,
she certainly 1t was more fair to the
asetendant and not al all unfair TO the
STATE. They did not propose to CON
trovert anything the witness said hap
pened IN that lodging house, because
.hey did not know what happened there,
oui tne question was that most pre-
judicial matter came in there TO take
up tine time of the court and after all,
perhaps. be utterly and totally Imma
terlal 20 far as the defendant ii wing ron.
scrned. Before they could prove the
9Seciaratlon of a co-conspirator as af-
tectlng the defendant, they have GOT
10 prove the conspiracy.
county Attorney Hansen, replying.
sald ne was relying largely on circum.
slantlal evidence and he would consent
10 1t being stricken out if ne did not
connect II with the defendant,
,ypdge Thurman reserved the right 20
strike out
:. Witness then detailed the card game
ms being induced TO go into it. putting
eP hrst- a $50 bill, then putting up 4
eiVUo bill and meeting another raise
WIN second $1,000 bill, and then, he
snia, Donaldson "grabbed the money
Claiming he had Won,
Enter Policeman Parent,
- AT this stage of the game witness
thought he was being mondlcd and
called for Willie TO 90 and get police
man. Willie did not respond and Nor
rs volunteered to get an officer. Nor
NS went out and returned with the man
VINO Ghe witness now knows to be Par
Ineh' Are you a pollceman7' asked
alex Sad Parent displayed star OF
ms chest and this was satisfactory
99iorrls began 10 create racket anG
Iarrent said he would shoot him If hc