The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-08-30
Theophi|e Reuther Testities
In Illinois Central Trial
INTEREST IN REPAIR FIRM
Gave Rawn 1000 Shares of Stock
To Get an Order For 10000
Car Doors

Chicago, August 29.-Resumption of the
hearing today of charges against Frank
B. Hartman, Charles l.. Ewing and John
M. Taylor, former Illinois Central rail-
road officials, accused of car repair
frauds, developed sensational evidence in
Judge Bruggemeyer's division of the
municipal court. Theophile Reuther,
former director of the Ostermann Manu-
featuring company, one of the repair
firms charged with grating from the
railroad declared on the witness stand
that he had been told that the late Ira
G. Rawn held 1000 shares of the Oster-
mann company stock. Reuther testified
that Ostermann said he gave Rawn the
shares in consideration of an order for
10000 car doors.
Rawn, at the time he was found shot
to death at his summer home in Winnet-
ka, ILL.,, several weeks ago, was presi-
dent of the Monon railroad and had held
high official position with the Illinois
Central railroad. 1t had been expected
that he would be one of the important
witnesses in the present case. Previous
to his death, when being questioned be-
fore a master in chancery by attorneys
for the Illinois Central railroad, Rawn
declared he held no interest in the re-
pair firm.
Reuther's evidence regarding Rawn was
given while the witness was being cross
examined regarding a conversation with
Henry Ostermann of the Osterman Re-
pair company. During this conversation
Reuther said Ostermann expressed inten.
ton of giving Rawn, Joseph E. Buker,
John M. Taylor and Frank B. Hartman
2C0o shares each of Ostermann stock.
Reutber's Testimony
"Rawn, according to Ostermann, prom
ised to give the Ostermann company the
work of making 10000 grain doors If he
got the STOCK" testified Reuther
"Did he get the shares?' asked Att3r-
ney Hoover.
IT asked Ostermann that question ana
he said he had given the shares of STOCK
replied Reuther.
previously to giving this evidence re-
earding the alleged stock transaction
Reuther related story of an encounter
with Ostermann, in which he declared
that Ostermann threatened to XIII MIN
II he told of the transactions between tne
Illinois Central railroad and the Oster-
mann company.
Reuther said he went to Osterman
offices to protest because ne nao not
received QlVlueHuS uPoh mo "
the repair company
"Osterman said no dividends had been
paid" testified Retuher, land 1 told
him I had seen a check sent to man
named Tomski. He said 1t was lle
"'You have done more harm than
good with this company Osterman
shouted, and I replied that I had done
a whole lot toward organizing the con-
cern and said
"It will come out how the ILLINOIS
Central was robbed
Struck On the Head
HE grew angry, seized paper
weight and struck me on the head. |
fell to the floor and some men carried
me out and placed me on my back.
Osterman said he would kill me If l
told about the Illinois Central busi-
ness.
II got home and had to go to bed.
August Deidrich, for eman in the Burn
side ships, called at my home and told
me 1 should not say anything about
what happened.
Don't mix up John Taylor Deid
rich told me. Mr. Milligan also called
and told me not to sny anything about
the Ostermann affair, but I told them
l was going to tell the Illinois Cen
trail just as soon as I got out of bed. |
II went to see Mr.. Burton, master
mechanic of the Burnside shops-he
was my boss-and told him about what
l knew of the stealing in the Illinois
Central, and l was going to squeal.
He told me TO keep quiet and said that
the men who were stealing would get
caught anyway.
II then went to SEQ John M. Tay-
lor and William Renshr superintendent
of machinery, and tolt them how the
road was being robbed They said
there was no stealing and told me 10
keep my mouth shut"
Reuther was the only witness ex-
amined today. He will probably be
again placed on the stand tomorrow
afternoon when the hearing of the case
is resumed.