Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-05-28
GRAND JURY ON
AN ASSAULT CASE
Tribunes Investigation Is in
Allegiance Until Next
Thursday.
TO IMDIcT A CONTRACTOR
August Safe, Moline, Charged With
Intent to Commit Murder of
Boy.

boy.
Today's session of the Rock Is
land county grand jury was devoted
to hearing testimony against August
Safe, the Moline contractor who is
alleged to have thrown little Rich
| ard Heider out of second story win
dow in a new building and caused
the lad. to receive broken jaw and
several other severe injuries. A
number of the boys who were with
the injured lad at the time were be-
fore the jury this morning, as was
also the physician who attended him.
Several of the lads freely stated out
side of the jury room that they had
seen the man take the lad in his
grasp and throw him out of the win
dow, which testimony conflicts with
that given by Safe at his preliminary
hearing in Moline, at which time he
was held under bonds to await ac-
ton of the grand jury. 1t is under
stood that an Indictment on a charge
of intent to commit murder will be
returned against Safe.
Jury Adjourns Till Thursday.
81
today's investigation of the Safe
case and it will not reconvene again
until Thursday. No Fraternal Tri-
bune matters came before the jury
today and it is understood that there
will be no further developments I'M
til the reconvening of the jury. 1t
is rumored, however, that some in
dictments have been drawn and that
they may be reported to the court
Thursday.
Immunity Seekerss
In view of the testimony given by
M. J. Franckel, the Chicago insurance
broker, yesterday afternoon, it is ex-
pected by those IN close touch with the
grand jury inquiry that there will soon
be rush of persons seeking immuni-
ty from indictment and prosecution.
The testimony of Franckel in particu-
lar is said to have been of such ma
ture that States Attorney Magill re-
CARDS 1t as all but clinching his case
against a number of men involved in
the investigation. 1t is said that dur
ing his testimony before the grand
jury Franckel denied the truth of the
claim that $4,000 of the reserve fund
of the Fraternal Tribunes had been
paid to him on promissory notes or
other obligations of the American
Home Circle. Franckel is said to have.
testified that he never loaned any
money to the American Home Circle
before its merger with the rich Frater-
nal Tribunes, and it is said he denied
that any money was paid to him on
notes. that had been given him for
money loaned. The testimony of
Franckel was viewed by the prosecu-
tors as an attempt upon his part to
protect his own interests regardless of
what effect his testimony might have
on other persons.
Official Minutes Missing.
From P. o. Norling of Galva, ILL.,, a
former head officer of the Fraternal
Tribunes. the fact was brought to light
that the records of the merger between
the Tribunes and the American Home
Circle are not obtainable. The records
of the merger were contained in Off
ciai minutes Of the meetings of the
supreme board of directors dating from
January to July IA, 1907
These records were supposed to be
in possession of Secretary Michael
CARRIER of the combined orders. Mr..
Norling stated that in company with
several others he made a special trip
to Springfield to get the records from
the secretary, but that they could not
be located. CARRIER claimed to have the
records dating from July IA, but for
the six months prior to that he dis
claimed any knowledge in an official
way. The state draws from this that
in order to cover up their doings the
suspects destroyed the records show
ing the terms of the merger of the
two fraternal insurance companies.
Van CIeave in Denial.
Springfield, May Safeguarding the
statement at Rock Island that w. c.
Niblack of the Chicago Title & Trust
company said that Colonel James r.
B. Van Cleave of Springfield drew $751;
600 from the merged fraternal societies,
the American Home Circle and the
Fraternal Tribunes, and distributed it
among the officers of the societies, Co
lionel Van Cleave, who was president
of the Lincoln bank of this city, SAYS:
Mr.. Niblack could not have so tes-
titled, because it is contrary to the
facts. When the $4,000 collection
came into the Lincoln bank, of which
was president, called upon Mr. Nib
lack Of the Chicago Title & Trust COM
pany. He informed me that under the
contract the Fraternal Tribunes could
not withdraw the fund except on so
days notice.
II never saw Mr.. Niblack again, but
when the two months expired the col
lection was made through our CORE
spondent, the Central Trust company,
and placed to the credit of the Frater-
nal Tribunes. THE greater part of this
was soon after checked out, but for
what purpose it was used the Lincoln
bank or its officers do not know. Per
sonally, know nothing of the society's