The Fargo forum and daily republican., 1912-12-14

Jamestown, n, D., Dec. 14.-After
the trial of the case of the state
against William Johnson of Fargo,
and arguments before the jury by
States Attorney Kneeland, prOsecut-
ing officer, and Atty. G. w. Thorp
for the defendant, the case was Civ
en- TO the jury, which retired for
consideration of the same about 4
p. m. Thursday. The jury was out all
night and reported yesterday that
they were unable to reach an agree
ment. 1t is rumored that the jury stood
nearly equally divided. However,
they were unable to return verdict
after an all nights consideration.
srs The aCfidavits of the girls taken
in the case, and the confession of
johnson, to the attorney general,
were placed in the custody of the clerk
of the district court.
Johnson was taken in custody by
the sheriff and it is not announced
what proceedings will next be held.
A second trial could be had at the
present term. 1t is reported that Of
ficers Of other counties in which the
alleged crimes were committed, are
waiting for the result of the present
case in Stutsman county, and it is
possible if no other action is taken
in Stutsman county, proceedings
will be begun, elsewhere. The crimes
alleged occurred in four different
counties. Barnes, Stutsman, Foster
and Wells, and the case against
Johnson and Jackson can be tried in
any one of the four, and 1T is said
that i'm the other counties the evil
dence is stronger against the de-
PENDANTS than in Stutsman county.
jackson to Be Tried in Foster Co.
1t is understood that the sheriff of
Foster county has warrant for the
arrest of Andrew c. jackson, the
other man charged with receiving
money from the Reitan and Jack
son women, and it Is probable that
the prisoner who is now in the GUS
tody OF Sheriff Romer will be turned
over to the Foster. county sheriff and
kept for trial in that county.
Johnson himself was not placed
on the stand in the trial Of his case.
The prosecution offered in evidence
note, not signed. but claimed to
have been written to Helen. by john
son while at Harvey. The note was
not admitted before the jury. It
was written on sheet of note
book, and it is stated was given by
Johnson to the police at Harvey. to
give Ito the girls. The contents of
the note was in substance that II
Helen did not want to see Johnson
go to Jail for five or ten years, she
should tell them (the officials) that
she never gave johnson a cent Of
money, and "stick to it,
"Tell them," the note said "that
we met you folks in Fargo and we
We're coming this way, so we just
came this way for company, and
show this to her (Violet JacksoR)
il you can, and be sure and tell
gave us nothing. Tell them she
(yiolet) was coming on to Drake TO
get married and you was coming along
for witness" a
1t is rumored that johnson may
be tried for the offense alleged
against him as committed in Barnes
county at the January term of court.
The affidavit of william Johnson,
the defendant in the case, agreed
substantially with the story of Helen
Reitan that they occupied room
according to Johnson's sworn con-
fession, at the Exchange hotel in
Moorhead on the night of Aug. 90,
having registered as Smith and wife;
that he brought a bottle of beer to the
room and gave the girl drink from
the same. They returned to Fargo
the next day about a. M, and the
girl left him in front of his fathers
restaurant and returned in about two
hours with one Violet Jackson. She
and Violet went UP to rooms over the
restaurant and men were sent there.
Johnson states he received what mon
ey the Reitan girl made, and they
went to Moorhead again on Sunday
morning and registered at the same
place as man and wife. The next day
they went to the Johnson place on
Front street and met Violet Jack
son. The Monday following, John
son declares that Helen. the Jack
son woman, a man named Al. G. Jack
on and himself all agreed to go out
on the road "and make piece of
money" They first went to Valley
city, then TO Courtenay. Kensal and
Darlington. and at Harvey they got
into trouble and the girls left and
went on to Drake. N. D.. where they
were found by Humane officer Blake.
AT all these places money was given
Johnson by Helen.
The same statements in substance
were made In the affidavit signed by
Violet jackson. who went more into
details ais to the number OF young
girls who resorted to rooms at
Johnson's place In Z Fargo, and at 81