The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1910-06-09
FINDS TREASURER
Of JACKPOT FUND
Collector of Money to Defeat Fish
Bill Cornered.
JURY GIVEN MORE DETAILS
Peoria Dealer Tells How Cash Was
Gotten Together and Where Hid
den Until Wanted--con-
firms Dixon's Story.

Beardstown, ILL.,, June 6.--Frank j..
Traut, ice and fish dealer of this
place, was the treasurer of the fsh
merchants Jackpot OF $4,000 con-
tributed for the defeat of the fish bill
in the last general assembly. He col
lected money himself, received, 81, $50
from John Dixon of Peoria and other
sums from other collectors.
This information was obtained by
States Attorney Burke of Springfield
after a flying trip here. He talked
with Traut for more than an hour and
seemed well pleased with the results
of his visit.
Admits Handling the Fund.
Mr., Traut not only admitted having
handled the fund, but also acknowl.
edged that he spent the night before
the adjournment of the legislature
with A. M Foster, chairman of the
house committee on game and fish.
This committee had charge of the
bill #
What became of the money Is the
mystery which Prosecutor Burke is
trying to solve.
Confirms Dixon's Story.
The gaining of the acknowIedg.
ment from Traut that he received the
money collected by Dixon of Peoria
confirms the latter's testimony. Dixon
asserted that he took the money to
Springfield inclosed in a piece of
brown paper, used ordinarily for
wrapping fish, and gave the $1,250 to
Mr. Traut.
The latter said to States Attorney
Burke that he collected considerable
more. The exact amount has not
been made public. Mr.. Traut gave
the names, addresses and business
connections of the contributors to the
Sangamon county prosecutor.
Probably number of these will be
subpoenaed to appear in Springfield
In addition to Mr.. Traut, Ralph O.
Lord, bookkeeper for Henry Lemm
fish dealer at Pekin, and Charles
Gridley, an attorney of Cass county
have been summoned 10 appear in
Springfield. Mr.. Gridley was attorney
for the fish merchants and was in
Springfield at the time the bid was
under consideration
Jury Is Given Details.
Springfield, H., June 6.-John
Dixon of Peoria and Henry Lemm oil
Pekin, two of the largest fish dealers
of the state, told the Sangamor
county grand jury about the demands
for graft by certain members of the
general assembly to kill the fish bill
B These men asserted that the amount
demanded and given was $500, but
neither of them gave it to the legisla
tors direct. Two others acted as mid
dlemen and Mr.. Burke will attempt
to search these out.
Part for Expenses.
The statement of Dixon proved tC
be far more important than was the
testimony of Lemm. Dixon said thai
the total amount collected was ap
proximately $1,000, but that all over
$4,000, which was to go to certain
members of the general assembly
was used for current expenses. Mr.
Dixon and several other fish men were
in Springfield at frequent intervals
while the. legislature was in session
Their expenses had to be paid.
Dixon said that of the total collec
tions he received $3.50, and this anC
amounts collected by others were put
together.
The total of $4,000 was placed in &
secret place, according to the agree
ment among the fishermen, to be ia
ken by man whose identity has no
been disclosed to a certain lawmaker
II appears that this agreement was
not strictly carried out. The mar
who found the money in its hiding
place gave it to another man, who ir
turn handed 1t to legislator.
Mr.. Burke has the names of botf
these men who are alleged to have
handled the cash after 1t was put II
hiding. l.#