Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1911-03-16
MABRAY MEN ADMIT GUILT.
Three More Plead and Will Be
Sentenced Next Tuesday.
SMITH TAKES MEDICINE TODAY
nation of Promises of Leniency
and says Court Has Made
None Mt All.

Confronted by a court room solidly
packed with witnesses, whose stern faces
indicated a grim determination to swear to
most damaging arrays OF facts three more
Mabray mike-makers yesterday quailed be-
for the ordeal and decided quickly TO throw
themselves upon the mercy of Judge Smith
Mcpherson at Council Bluffs and enter
pleas of guilty. Theyl We're Thomas Davies,
Fred Rtyan and john e. smith. THe only
other mixer arraigned. l., b. Hindman,
entered a plea OF not guilty, through his
attorney, Judge eBen s. Baker of Omaha.
The plea, however, was based upon the
hope Of getting a continuance. but when
this was made extremely doubtful by the
remarks of Judge Mcpherson relating to
the formulation of the proposed affidavit,
the expression on Hindmans face promised
an early reconsideration of his plea.
Before the pleas OF the prisoners were
taken Judge Mcpherson took occasion to
give them warning in his most vigorous
manner not to rely upon any understanding
that they may have acquired pointing to
any leniency from the court in considera-
ton of pleas of guilt.
No Promise of LenIency.
ut has been talked on the streets and
y
that pleas Of guilt in these cases will in
sure lighter sentences and it has even been
said that United States marshals and post
office inspectors have promised ieniency in
consideration of such pleas. l don't know
whether this is true or care to know /
only know that this court has made no
promises and will impose the sentences.
Defendants must not rely upon any assur-
ances that have been made"
The indicted men took time to look into
! the rugged face Of Judge Mcpherson and
then into the sterner faces of nearly 100
! witnesses banked up in the background,
nearly all Of whom were mikes with many
! painful memories. They saw nothing there
| TO light a ray of hope. With one accord
the pleas Of guilty were made. The wit
nesses came from all parts of the United
! States swenson, the silent swede, had
one bunch Of about forty and Postoffice
Inspector Ranger had nearly as many, and
they all seemed to be extremely anxious to
get into action.
Judge Mcpherson took advantage Of an
other opportunity to indicate that the court
was being run by the judge, not by out
siders. Judge Baker. Hindman's attorney
was busily engaged writing an affidavit
Il was preparing an affidavit for con.
tinuance, your honor. but in the absence OF
my stenographer it will take four men tc
read it after l write IT, but can give you
the substance Of it. understood that 9
continuance would be granted" said Judge
Baker.
''who told you it wouldr' inquired the
court.
Judge a. Aroused.
The source Of Judge Bakers information
was not easily found, and he leaned over
and whispered to Hindman and then said
the information came from his client
And where did you get it9" inquired the
court
why I got It in a letter from friend '
replied Hindman, with very flushed face
who is the friend? ] want to know
where IL came from and who Il came
from"
Hindman then declared he got 1t from
Ryan, the fellow mixer who had pleaded
guilty in a letter written from the jail
where Ryan was held.
II simply want to know for the purpose
Of showing whether 1 am running this
court or the fellows on the street" said
Judge Mcpherson. The government is
ready to try the case and il will be tried
unless for the best OF reasons. Witnesses
have come here travelling thousands OF
miles and no avoidable delays will be per
mitted. The case will be called tomorrow
morning and you can then make your
/ showing"
sick When Court Meets.
When the case OF Ben Marks was called
his attorney, George S. Wright said MI
Marks was a very sick man and was
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