Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-01-31
FILES CHARGES
AGAINST FIVE OF
The EX-DEPUTIES
Sheriff Bruner Cites Sehnert,
Miller, Kittilsen, Brooks and
Carnes Into Court.
CONSPIRACY IS ALLEGED
Svyears That Former Assistants in His
Office Are Attempting to obstruet
Justice in Grand Jury.

Attorneys for Sheriff o. l.. Bruner
this afternoon filed with the circuit
clerk a petition Tor the citation Of
Grand Juror Fred 5ennert. and for
mer Deputy Sherifs John G.. Miller.
". W. Kittils"n, J. r. Brooks and
Richard Carnes, 10 force them TO show
cause why they should not be found
I'm contempt OF court for Obstructing
justice In connection with the investi-
cation Of the sherifs Office which is
now in progress. Supporting the petit
ton We're three afidavits signed by
Sheriff Bruner himself and by two of
his deputies, Phil Miller and J.. l..
Hauce. s. r. Kenworthy and c. e.
Dietz are representing the sheriff in
his fight against the former deputies.
RECOUNTs WHOLE STORY.
il his affidavit, which is OF con
siderable length, the sheriff goes into
details regarding the cause of the in
terest taken in the investigation OF
his Office by the former deputies. He
charges that his refusal 10 appoint
Edward Kitilscn Fred Sehnert and
Richard Carnes and his discharge of
John G.. Miller and the enforced resig-
nation Of Walter Kittilsen is what
prCCupts them 10 seek his indictment
lie alleges ecorts made by them 10
disCrcdit his administration Of the Of
lice OF sheriff and TO bring about his
Indictment on information furnished
ana Influenced by them. The affidavit
further recOunts that Fred Sehnert
who is a member Of the grand jury Is
seen every day. presumably reporting
20 tire others as 10 what is being done
iu the grand jury room, the nature OF
the evidence that is being heard and
the stand that is being taken by vari
Gus OF the jurors
SEEN WITH WITNESSES.
The afHdavits OF Deputies Ph'l Mil
Ter and l.. l.. Hance set forth that they
daily see Carnes. Brooks, Miller and
Ktt.lsen in close proximity TO the
Cr nd jury room. walking about the
halls with Schnert. comforting Will
Witnesses before and after they have
testified and giving the impression
that they are seeking 10 influence the
nature Of the testimony that is 10 b'
given and to keep In touch with vha
u.s. actually placed before the inyesti
eating body.
TENT or THE PETITION.
Following is the text of the petition
filed in behalf Of Sheriff Bruner by hi
attorneys:
state Of Illinois. Rock Island Coun
ty-ss.
In the circuit court of said county
To jnc January, A. d. 1913, tern
thereof
In the matter OF the petition of o
/. Bruner. sheriff, for citation agains
Fred Sehucrt. John G. Miller Waite
W. Kiuusen. j. r. Brooks and Richar,
Carues Petition for citation:
Your petitioner. q. l. Bruner, re
specially represents unto your honor
that he is the sheriff of Rock Islam
county. I'm the state aforesaid and
now. boy reason Of illness. tcmporaril
unable TO personally attend to the az
tive duties OF his Ghce as such sheriff
as aforesaid, as win more fully and a
large appear by the affidavit of YOU
petitioner hereto attached. and mari
{ ed Exhibit A." and made a part q
this petition.
~ LEACIE AGAINST HIN.
Your petitioner further represent
tha, John G. Miller. Walter W. Kitu
sen aud j. r Brooks and RiChar
Carues were former deputies of you
4 petitioner as such sheriff. but are nov
and for some time past have been, dil
charged or forced TO resign ter caus
in connection with irregularities rel;
tive 10 performance OF their severe
duties as such deputies. as aforesaid
that said Miller, Eitulseu and Brook
by reason of their discharge and for