The daily sentinel., 1907-03-07
THE EVENTS
IN COURT
Col. Lace, Alleged Swindler,
on Trial, and Interesting
Story is Unfolded - Dor
land Convicted--The Will
liams Case.


charged with stealing an overcoat
from the cloak room of the Auditor
ium. belonging to H. w. McElroy.
manuel training supervisor of the
J public schools. brought in a verdict
finding the defendant guilty of petty
larceny. This means jail sentence.
The man has been in jail several
months, and this time will probably
be allowed him as a credit when the
Judge passes sentence.
Saved From the Pen.
The prosecution made an effort to
prove the overcoat to be of suf-
ficient worth to make the offense
grand larceny but the defense sue
ceeded in proving that it was under
this value and Durland was convict
ed of petty larceny and thereby saw
ed from a penitentiary sentence. A
H. Davis was the attorney for the
defense. The jury was out only a
few minutes.
Morgan Williams Case.
District court opened this morning
at ten o'clock When motions were
called for Attorney S. n. Wheeler,
representing Morgan Williams and
Ed James, charged with making a.
murderous assault on Bert Younts,
addressed the court and moved that
the case against the two young men
be dismissed. Mr.. Wheeler contend
ed that the district Attorneys office
had not proceeded in the case accord
ing to the statutes. There are two
counts in the indictment, he explain
ed. one charging the defendants with
felonious assault with intent to kill,
the second count. Mr. Wheeler was att
loss to know just what it signifled.
He then stated to the court as far as
he could ascertain the only charge
on which Williams and James could
be tried under the condition of the
Indictment or complaint. would bel
assault and battery.
Mr.. Wheeler further contended
that the law demands that in case
where the defendants in such action
are not given a preliminary hearing
or have waived preliminary hearingl
that an affidavit made by some re-
sponsib1e person giving evidence I'M
support of the charges must be filed
with the complaint. He explained
that both men had waived the exam
nation yet the district attorney had
presented no affidavit in connection
with the complaint as compelled by
law
Several other reasons intended to
show why the indictment should be
ouashed were given by Attorney
Wheeler
District Attorney selig argued that
he was acting within the law and af-
ter spirited argument on each side
the Judge overruled Attorney Wheel
er's motion and Morgan Williams
and Ed James must stand trial.
Formally Supreme.
i If formality and court decorum
was ever being worked TO the limit it
Is ius now in the Honorable Dist
rict Court of Mesa County. The su-
nreme court of the United States is
not to be compared with it.
An Interesting Case.
The first cacse called this morn
ing was that of Col" Lace, the dis
tlnguished looking old gentleman
who is charged with swindling DR..
e. F.. Eldridge out of 1870. II what
the district attorney says about the
case is true Col. Lace is one of the
smoothest and cleverest confidence
men that ever worked game In TINS
section. In his opening statement
This morning District Attorney Seils
stated that in January one year ago
"Col." Lace engaged in conversa-
tion with DR.. Eldridge in front of the
Iatter's office over some mining speci-
mons from the properties of the Sin
had mining properties in which Dr.
Eldridge is largely Interested. Lace
WAS a stranger to DR.. Eldridge- lie
smoke in such a manner as II to I'M
, n1v that he was able to finance the
proposition.
A Mysterious Organization.
Next day he interviewed DR.. ED
ridge and in a suave. confidential
J manner informed him, so it is -alleg-
ed, that he was not only connected
; With a mysterious secret organlza-
J Hon hut that he had influence on the
New York Stock exchange and 1t Is
} claimed that he proceeded to explain
how this secret organization eouiu
handle the mining proposition ana
aet If on the New York exchange. II
= further claimed that Lace produc'
- n,arv signs. emblems, etc. to prove
~. av,s+ence of this remarkable sec
.nt It organization. He named Dr. Ed
! ridge men in New York ana po''o- a
a whom the doctor knew wheh ne -
; sided in the east, as being eohne'tss 81