The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1907-08-10
Caldwell, Idaho, August 6, 1897.
Editor Caldwell Tribune,

| Caldwell, Idaho. August 6, 1897
Editor Caldwell Tribune,
Dear Sir:
wish to say few words to the
people Of Canyon county through your
paper, and will do so with your per-
mission, and in as few words as
can and be understood. Ex-Govern-
or Steunenberg was murdered we'll
on to two years ago; the Western
Federation OF Miners was charged
with the deed; three of the members
were brought to Idaho to stand trial
for the murder. The "Pinkertons"
were employed to get the men and
gather evidence to convict them, and
I think 1t is but fair to say that the
most of us were ready to say, or
ready to believe the men guilty. The
Governor of our state told us in his
message that there was plenty of
evidence to show that it was the work
Of the federation of miners. We
could but take this as a fact.
Time has elapsed, one of the men
has been tried for murder; tried by
jury of twelve men selected with all
the gprecaution that attorneys could
bring to bear. These men listened
to the evidence and were convinced
that the state did not make "a case,
did not have evidence to convict. The
Governor must have been deceived
by some one for today Mr. Haywood
stands acquitted of the crime, Mr..
Meyer is out on bail, and Mr.. Petit
bones trial is set for the LIST of Octo-
Der, and we may accept this, that the
evidence must be the same in. each
case.
Now let us stop and think. What
have we done? What are we going
to do? We have kept the men in
jail all this time, have now freed one,
all together paid bill of nearly
$55, 100000 to get the men from Den
yer here, have conducted trial in
Ada county to convict "Bill Hay
wood" and failed, and am informed
by what call good authority, that
tho amount Canyon county will have
to pay on this will amount to over
$35, 100000. We will know the exact
later on, will find 1t on the
muster roll. and the end is not yet.
Here is one thing to keep in mind:
We must depend mostly on Orchard
to convict these men, and one thing
Is sure; Orchard is one of two things
he is either the greatest criminal.
or the greatest liar on the face of
the earth today. He is, to say the
best for him, an abnormal parsonage.
1t seems to me out of question to
prove beyond a reasonable doubt
that these men are guilty. Now, IL
this be the case; and I believe that
most people will agree with me, that
there are very, very great odds
against the state; why should we
keep this up? Canyon county seems
to be in now for not less than $780,
10000, and we can count on not less
than 100000 more. Why not
try Orchard while we are rest
Ing? Let us sift him out
by using his own trial. Let
as see what that will bring out. Re-
his plea Is Not Guilty"
Let us see whether he is or not. In
case he is tried his evidence will be
Just as good as it is now, that is the
least we can say for 1t, and Il may be
much better. He Is living now not
,nly at the expense of Canyon county,
but at the good graces of the officers
IF the county IL he stays by
lis confession. 1t will cost no more
% keep him after he is convicted
han 1t does now. Why not try him?
I might be well to ask ourselves why
his thing is kept up and run as 1t is. |
Orchard was first In the tolls, why |
lot try him first? / was instructed
~ my mother to serve first who came |
lrst. but this may be one Of the cases |
hat the people should not know, that |
is enough that the County Attorney |
NOW this. that he may employ what |
ttorneys he may wish: or 1t may be |
hat our County Commissioners have
lone this. I do not know who did it
nut feel sure that some did. that
he people must pay for 1t, and at
east four to eight of the attorneys in