The searchlight. [volume] (Culbertson, Mont.) 1902-current, 1911-04-21
THE COWAN CASE
INT r Esr IS UNAeATEO-oE.
TENSE HAS STRONG WIT
NEssEs ON STAND.
WITNESSES ARE POSITIVE
Judge cowan Made Lengthy Statement
Reviewing Almost Every Incident
Brought Up by the Proseeu.
tion-Testinnony Varies.


Neutrality-suspicious. Day.
The prosecution closed its case this
afternoon. During the morning ses-
sion a judgment against Henry Van
derhoof of Devils Lake for selling in
toxicating liquors was introduced as
well as the liquor permits Of five drug
stores where it is alleged Judge Cowan
purchased liquor. There was consid-
cradle discussion of this move but IL
was allowed to stand.
Attorney LeSeur of Minot was a wit
ness in the afternoon In regard TO the
conduct of a certain case.
Owing to a number Of senators be-
ing present today who We're absent
yesterday another vote was taken on
the consideration of unspecified cases.
The result was the same as yesterday.
the vote standing 90 Tor to "a against.
Thursday-Fifteenth Day.
This was the opening day for the de-
Tense and Judge Cowan made the first
statement for himself to the senate.
The Judge reviewed the case and
stated he was willing to take any YER
dict that might be rendered on the evil
dence submitted to the senate.
He was sarcastic at times and offer
ed himself as exhibit No. 1. that he
was not mental and physical wreck
from alcohol as charged by the pros
ecution.
He explained the Rugby incident
where II Is charged he slept on the
bench by saying he could not sleep
the previous night and had spent a
portion Of the time sitting up with
sick friend.
He also called attention to errors in
Judge Burr's testimony and said court
had been called at p. m. and attor-
neys in that case requested a delay I'M
til the next morning.
Friday-sisteenth Day.
Judge Cowan concluded his address
soon after the afternoon session be-
gan, occupying over one and one-half
days in making his statements.
He took up the delayed case charges
and gave his version Of every one OF
them and at times contradicted the
statements of the witnesses for the
prosecution, using very strong Ian
guage In his remarks about Attorney
Greenleaf OF Minot.
In one delayed case he stated Gov.
Burke was the attorney and never
completed his work. This was the rea-
son of the delay.
He stated that IL he were returned
to the bench that he would not ris-
criminate against those pushing these
present proceedings.
saturday-Seventeenth Day.
The defense produced some strong
witnesses today. Judge Palda OF Minot
occupied much OF the time OF the fore
noon and his testimony was especially
strong. He failed to remember the
Rugby incident.
Before the senate adjourned Geo.
Bangs introduced the register at the
Hotel Cramond in Rugby during the
time Judge Cowan held court there
and was said TO be intoxicated. He
also introduced n motion to introduce
the charter and list of members Of the
Civic League OF Devils Lake, which
the senate. by a vote Of 90 TO IL, grant
ed.
A number of other witnesses were
also called to testify on this incident
and their testimony was directly oppo-
site that of the prosecution, most OF
them testifying that Judge Cowan was
not intoxicated as charged
Monday-Eishteenth Day.
A. ]. Minkler. vice president OF the
Merchants State bank at Knox was n
strong witness for the defense. He
fatty contradicted the stories of Camp
bell and Rex and stated he was sick at
Rugby and was cared for nearly all
night by Judge Cowan, completely cor
roborating the judges story.
A. Egeland. president OF the First
hnn MI
testify to the alleged charge OF the
judge going to sleep in court. He
could not recall any such incident and
said that the Judge was perfectly So
Der.
The charge that Judge Cowan was
drunk last election day was refuted by
]. McCauley and James ii. Ryan. W.
G. Bryant also testified TO the same ef-
feet on this incident.
Other witnesses followed In the Same
line and denied many OF the charges.
Observation-Disclosures Day.
The big feature of this day was the
motion by the prosecution for a two
weeks adjournment to give II time to
look up witnesses to refute the testi-
mony offered by the defense.
This motion resulted In a heated ar
gument between the attorneys. Presi-
dent Burdick of the senate announced
that II this continuance was granted
that he wanted a new presiding officer
appointed as he had not the time to at
tend to the case in that event.
Two witnesses, Arthur Dickson and
II. Z. Plyman. former states attorney
of Rolette county. testified as to the
shirt incident and completely verified
the judges statement regarding the
affair.
The senate in executive session re-
fused To grant the adjournment