The Dickinson press., 1910-01-22
TESTIMONY IN WILL CASE
BY A BISMARCK MAN

Boston, January 18.-Frank E. Morton
of Bismarck. N. D. formerly of Melrose.
Mass, stated when he was sworn in
the great Russell will case that he had
been waiting to testify in the case for
four months. He has been under sub
poena by the respondents and has been
constant attendant at the court. The
respondents had intended to use
Morton as their last witness, but, as he
wishes to sail Saturday for South Amer
lea. they put him on out of the order
they planned.
when did you learn of the peti-
toner's steps to present himself as a
claimant to the Russell fortune?"
''By letter from H. G. Whittemore
last May.
Wasn't assisting the claimant one
of the motives that brought you back to
Melrose?'
mo. sir. came back to settle some
law suits.
The witness says he has been in Me-
dora and Dickinson, N. D., places fire.
quently mentioned in the Russell csse
Senator Simpson objected to the line
of questioning and Attorney Mason
said:
Il expect this witness to contradict
the testimony given by the claimant
himself. and am laying foundation.
l want to say. too, that this is an
averse witness and has been summoned
from the other side.
Mr.. Morton told of his BUSINESS, and
said that in 1909 he was financially
embarrassed. For cross-examination
Morton said he had heard Dan Russell 8
running away rehearsed, but he could
not remember seeing him until last
year.
Morton said the man who first spoke
to him about Russell was one, McKen-
ize, in Dickinson, who said one of the
ranchmen there, Dan Russell. had inher-
tied fortune in the east. Morton told
of his interview with the claimant in a
Western hotel. The claimant told Nor
ton he was Dan Russell. Dan told
him of old Melrose people. including
Hattie Keith.
At Bismarck it is stated that no such
man as Morton is known.
Boston, January 18.-Secretly, mys-
teriously detectives have been gathering
in several Boston hotels the past few
days score of men and women from
every section of the United States.
They are to be employed by the attorney
for the respondents in an attempt to
spring startling coup in the Russell
estate hearing. These men and women
are to be called to the wit ness stand to
give testimony, which they promise
will reveal plot to win fortune.
From life of seclusjon since boyhood
William C. Russell has emerged 10 take
an active part in the fight against the
Dickinson. N. D.. ranchman. who is
fighting sensational court battle 10
prove his claim to the name of Daniel
Blake Russell.
The witness will tell what is claimed
to be the story of an alleged plot. over
heard in its inception and accidentally
revealed in its execution.
William C. Russell has recently re. i.
turned from Washington, where he went
to have an interview with Senator
Henry Cabot Lodge. Mr.. Russell asked
Senator Lodge to aid him in defending
his wealth from the westerner. The
result of this interview. it was said, was
call on the postmaster general and
assignment of postal inspector to in
vestigate the circumstances in relation
to the letters introduced as exhibits in
the Russell hearing.
These letters were produced by the re-
sp0ndent's detectives. The claimant de-
nounced them as forgeries. and his
handwriting experts testified the forger
had poorly initiated the claimants CHR
oa,onb,, -@sS:..-S<. S. .........e..-.....
oerapny. r.,
1t was declared today that a secret
service officer had made discoveries of
a sensational nature which might in
uo1vo covyor.,1 stox,ov,,r =