Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-04-16
REMAINING CASES
AGAINST SHERIFF
BRUNER DROPPED
States Attorney F. E. Thomp-
son Nolle Presses Four
Indictments Pending.
TRIED STRONGEST CASE
Declares Verdict Puts Stamp of APP
prevail on Official Corruption
Graves in Statement.

The remaining indictments against
Sherin o. L. Bruner. individually, were
nolle pressed yesterday afternoon by
States Attorney F. E. Thompson in
circuit court. There were still pend
ing against the official four true bills.
charging embezzlement, bribery and
two larcenies
There still remain the indictments
brought by the grand jury, after the
appointment of George W. Wood. Mo
line, as special prosecutor. They are
as follows:
Lawrence NJ. Magill. Oscar /. Bruner
and Ben Schriver. conspiracy: Law
renee VI. MagiIl. Oscar l.. Bruner, con-
spiracy and bribery: Lawrence VI. Ma
gill, o. l.. Bruner and Ben Schriver.
bribery; while the two other cases are
against Magill, Schriver and W. IL.
Brough. conspiracy, and Magin,
bribery.
His Strongest Case.
States Attorney Thompson declared
to the court that the case on which
Bruner had been tried was the
strongest he had and he felt that it
would be futile 10 attempt further pros
ecution. He declared it his opinion
the verdict of acquittal in the recent
trial was clearly contrary to the law
and the evidence. although he admit /!
ted the jury was equal in standing TO 4
any ever selected TO try a case in Rock I
Island county. He said he felt the /
finding of the jury practically put the !
stamp of approval on political corrup- !
ion He denied the cost of the prose /
cutiOn had been anything like the fig
Ires. which have been recently quoted !
N connection with the case.
Thompson's Statement.
States Attorney Thompson's state
nent follows:
With full consciousness of the grave
attending my decision,
nave after mature deliberation decided
% dismiss the remaining indictments
against the sheriff. This action ras
AIKEN after seriously considering the
possibility of securing a conviction on
he charges. At the time the indict-
nents now pending were returned by
he grand jury. I have serious doubts
II their being supported by the evil
Iclcc in the trial court, and ! am now
onvinced that they cannot. Cases
we're presented 20 the grand jury which
we're strong in every respect, but they
you'd not vote true bills on them.
Why they would not. cannot say. bat !
he fact remains that they did not.
THE case en- which the sheriff was
ried was the most serious charge
gaiast him. The evidence was clear
nd convincing Why the jurors acquit-
cd him is a matter better known to
themselves. Suffice it to say that in l
~ opinion the jury was equal to any |
lry ever selected TO try a case in this {
curt 1t was selected with eN-
-eme care. all but two of the chal- {
.nges allowed me by law being eN- I
aus:ed The men on the jury were {
men of this county and
zen who have been held by the people
their community as good citizens. j
Y their verdict they placed the stamp 1
approval upon official corruption. In J
SIS than an hour they decided that a Y
ears unceasing effort on my part was h
orth naught. The verdict was clear y
contrary to the law and the evil d
snce.
Expose of Value. "
"While feel that the exposure made Il
Isl been or untold value TO the people c
this county. yet the results are not V
holly satisfactory The investigation il
lder my charge has cost the county q
" the enormous amount mentioned !
people who know nothing OF the facts, II
&c approximately two thousand dol e
rs The investigation was not con- s.
led to the sheriff. but extended to y