The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1910-06-30
IND|CT FIVE men
IN BRIBERY CASE
Sangamon Grand Jury Brings in
/ True Bills.
BURKE MAKES CLEAN SWEEP
Procures Evidence In Fish 6HI Lesis-
Iation and Contracts for Senate
Furnlture--capiases Are
Issued.

Springfield, H., June 27.-The San
canon county grand jury's probe into
the legislative bribery scandal result
ed in the following indictments:
Representative Lee O'Neil Browne,
Ottawa, conspiracy to bride.
Representative Robert E Wilson.
Chicago, conspiracy to bride.
Frank ]. Traut, Beardstown, con-
spiracy to bride.
Louis ID. Hirsheimer, Pittsfeld, con-
spiracy to bride.
A. B. Johnston, Springfield. bribery
and perjury.
The return of the indictments ere
ated a sensation that rivaled the con-
: fession Of State Senator d. w. Hoist
law of Iuka to the effect that he had
received $500 from State Senator
Broderick for his vote for Mr.. Lori
mer and had been promised $500 for
his vote on the furniture contract.
Effect Is Sensational.
The developments are especially
sensational because Minority Leader
Browne of Ottawa, who is awaiting
the verdict Of the Chicago jury on the
Z charge of bribery in connection with
the Lorimer election, was included in
the indictments.
The true bills win have far-reach-
B ing and important effect in many
angles Of the legislative bribery scan
dial. States Attorney Burke is of the
opinion there can be no successful
contention against the trial of Browne
in this county because of lack of jur-
isdiction. His indictment grows out
of the evidence submitted by Repre-
sentatives Beskemeyer and Link.
The indictments charging bribery
and perjury voted against Johnston
are in connection with the letting of
contracts for refurnishing the senate
and house chambers at the statehouse.
Bonds Fixed at $4,000.
Judge Creighton in the circuit
court fixed the bail of Browne, Wilson,
Hirsheimer and Traut at $4,000 each,
and of Johnston at $1,000 on each OF
the two indictments returned against
him.
Browne and Wilson were represent
ed by former State Senator Thomas J.
Dawson, who has represented all the
legislators who have got in trouble
with the Sangamon grand jury in the
Jackpot" and Lorimer investigations.
Also capiases have been issued by
Judge Creighton and turned over to
Sheriff Charles Werner for service on
Browne, Wilson, Hirsheimer, Traut
and Johnston. Attorney Dawson said
that Browne and Wilson would be
down Tuesday morning by arrange.
ment with the sheriffs Office.
Indictment Is Broad.
The indictment against Browne,
Wilson, Hirsheimer and Traut is broad
and charges that the four men con-
spired to promise. pay, give and pre-
sent Representatives II. ]. c. Becke-
meyer, Michael S. Link and Charles A.
White with certain sums OF money
TO cast or withhold their votes on GER
tain measures under consideration by
the Forty-sixth general assembly.
Browne and Wilson were indicted
on the conspiracy charge as members
of the general assembly who distrib-
uted portions of the Jackpot" to
Beckemeyer. Link and White Traut
and Hirsheimer were included as per-
sons who directed the disposal OF the
fund collected for the fish bill lack
pot"
Three Counts Against Eeach.
Three counts are contained in the
Indictment for conspiracy against the
four defendants, but the true bill does
not state what particular piece Of leg
islation was used to secure the money
for the Jackpot" from which, II is al
legged, 1t was distributed by Minority
Leader Browne and Representative
Wilson. The grand jury had been
hearing evidence on the fish Jackpot"
for three weeks.