The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1907-07-11
(scripps News Associk:ion.D


BOISE, July 1.-THE defense
was jubilant when court recon
vened this morning over the show
ing Meyer made on the witness
stand yesterday. That he made a
strong impression is conceded, but
the states attorneys hope to get
some admissions from him.
Cross examination was begun
soon after court convened, being
preceded by an attempt on the
part Of the defense to get before the
jury letter written by John Muir
ply, senior counsel for the fedora
ton, directing that John Nugent be
engaged to defend the interests Of
the organization following the
Steunenberg murder.
Extracts from the constitution
and ritual of the miners union were
also read by barrow to show that
the organizations purposes are in
no way criminal.
On cross examination Meyer said
he became president of the fedora.
ton in 1902 and lived in Deadwood
In 1899 during the Occur dAlene
troubles The only information he
had was obtained through news
papers. He knew Steunenberg was
governor, but nothing more about
him. Later he became familiar with
the attitude of Occur d'Alene
miners toward Steunenberg,
He first became acquainted with
Simpkins in 1903. but had no talk
with him about the troubles in
Idaho to any extent. He explained
at length the method whereby the
federation engaged attorneys to de.
fend members who got arrested.
The federation today is defending
Steve Adams. he explained. because
his arrest grew out of the Stuenen-
berg affair. He met Adams first
during the Cripple Creek troubles,
but was never intimate with him.
Meyer first met Pettibone in
Denver in 1900, and Easterly in
1901. ct Cripple Creek, and neither
ever talked with him about Orch
ard. Orchard was first introduced
to him by delegates to the conven-
tion in Denver in January. 1904. In
March Of that year he went to Grip
pie Creek on the train wrecking
cases and met Orchard daily. He
became we'll acquainted with him
and on March 20 arranged to take
Orchard with him to Ouray, as he
needed him for a guard. During
the trip he discussed Orchards life
history. He was sure Orchard
didn't make a threat against
Steunenberg but told him of leav-
ing the Idaho country, which cost
him a fortune.
After being arrested he didn't see
Orchard again until June. 1908. He
knew Orchard was suspected Of the
independence depot explosion, but
Orchard told Meyer ne had left be-
fore the explosion and Meyer be-
lieved him innocent.
Meyer then translated a cipher
telegram received from Simpkins
Jan. 1, after the Steunenberg
tragedy, which read: Cannot get
lawyer to defend"
He never saw nor heard from
Simpkins afterwards, so far as he
knew.
Borah tried to get damaging ad-
missions from the witness to show
arrangements made for securing
lawyers to protect federation inter-
ests before the fact that Orchard
was federation man was known
after the Steunenberg murder, but
he stuck absolutely to his original
story. Meyers cross examination
closed at noon.
In telling Of his experience with
the militia as president OF the fed
Grafton. Meyer said he was arrested
at Victor June 6. 1904. for the MUIR
der OF Roxy MCGEE. He was in the
bullpen, 800 miles away, when that
crime was committed. An arrest
for the indicator explosion follow
ed, but the authorities dropped both
cases for lack OF evidence to con-
meet him with the crimos. Meyer