The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1909-03-21
MORMON BISHOP
IS BROUGHT into
THE VANCE CASE
Lewis H. Cannon Accused of
Exerting Influence in Behalf
of the Condemned Man.
WIFE MURDERER is
DENIED A NEW TRIAL
BISHOP CANNON DENIES STATE
MENTs OF DEAD Wo-
MANS SISTER.

Thomas Vance was refused a new
trial by Judge George G. Armstrong Of
the district court Saturday, after argU-
ment had been made by Judge Magin-
mis- of Ogden for the defense. and by
+. c. LOofbourOw.. district attorney, for
the state. Notice was given of an .ap-
peal TO the supreme court in a last ef-
fort to save the convicted wife-mur-
derer
At the argument yesterday a sensa-
tional charge was made that Lewis H.
Cannon, bishop of Cannon ward in the
Mormon church, had used his ecclesi-
astical position to tamper with the wit
nesses for the state. This was in an
affidavit Of Mrs. Amanda Vance Ward,
2 presented by the district attorney, and
was answered in denial by an affidavit
from Bishop Cannon.
1t was freely stated in the court that
Bishop Cannon had taken a more than
neighborly interest in Vance's case, and
had gone about among the other resi-
dents of the neighboThood asking them
TO modify their testimony against the
man, making this appeal on religious
grounds.
Five affidavits were read of these
neighbors stating that they believed
Mrs. Amanda Vance Ward was a per-
son whose testimony should be in no
way considered Serious charges were
made against Mrs. Ward, who is the
sister of the murdered woman.
MRS. WARDS AFFIDAVIT.
In reply to these affidavits, read by
Nance's attorney, John F. Tobin, Mrs
Wards affidavit was presented making
the charges against Bishop Cannon.
Mrs. Ward said. aAong other things:
nave heard read the affidavit of Clara
L. Richards filed in support of a motion
1or new trial in the above entitled case
ana the statement made therein: In a
conversation had at my house shortly
after the jury in the Vance case returned
verdict the said Amanda Vance Ward
stated to me in substance as follows.
They have the wrong person in Jail il
was Mary Vance (meaning Mrs A B.
vance VI OGDEN who gave her the poi
son she used is totally false. 1 have
never at any time OF place made such a
statement to Mrs. Richards or to any per
SON / have never made statement in
substance such as that mentioned in Mrs
richards affidavit.
have heard read the affidavit of John
Aooott. The statement therein contained
to-wit: The said Amanda Vance Ward
according TO a statement made to me b.
my daughter Ethel, aged IA. sought to
induce my daughter TO testify to the eff
feet that the said Lena Vance had fold
my daughter that she, the said Lena
vance, had told the truth at the trial and
the said Amanda Vance Ward told nv
daughter that If she would so testify she
would receive enough money in witness
lees 10 purchase a new dress is totally
false never at any time or place made
such a statement to Ethel Abbott or to
any Other person. Mr.. Abbott is uisin-
formed upon that subject
The statement made by said John Alb
bott that Il have ON several occasions
heard the said Amanda Vance Ward
drilling and coaching the said Lena Vance
as to what the said Lena Vance should
n Sc H.
false. John Abbott was never at any
time present when I talked with the chill
dren OF Tom Vance. and l repeat the
testimony gave in the trial of this case
that have never drilled or coached the
Vance children as to the testimony they
should give in court
BISHOP CANNON'S ACTIVITY.
Lewis NJ. Cannon is the bishop of Can
non ward. I have known him ten years
and most of the time / have lived in his
ward and ne has been my bishop. Twice
before the trial in this case he came 10
my house and each time asked and i'm
that the defendant, Tom Vance would
not be convicted He has told me repeat
edly that he wanted TO see Tom Vance
cleared and wanted him Telea sed so that
he could take care of his children. Twice
since the trial of the case and before the
affidavitS in support of the motion for
new trial were filed Bishop Cannon came
10 my home and urged and Emporium d.
me to modify my statements and to be
more lenient toward the defendant. Tom
Vance, and to assist in getting Thomas
Vance out. Not less than six times since
the preliminary eXaminat ton in the Vance
case has Bishop Cannon met me in the
street car and on the street and asked
me to be lenient on the defendant Thomas
Vance. and said in substance that he
wanted Thomas Vance cleared. Each time
] have told Bishop Cannon that I could
only tell what I knew and that I would
not change my testimony for anybody.
Twice in the ten years I have known
Bishop Cannon he has given me a recon-
mendation from him as bishop TO be
used in entering other wards in the city.
showing that ! was in good membership
and good standing as a Latter-day Saint
i'm his ward. The last time Bishop Cannon
was at my house talking to me about
The Vance case, he asked where Mrs.