Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-03-03
HARDIN COUNTY GRAFT TRIAL
sEovM IN WRIGHT couN.
~ COURT.
aLEvEN OF TwtLvE.
jurors AoRtcuLTuRisTs
engineer cardnsT,s cass Called First
Taking Of Testimony Begun and
,sopsniss Statements Mads-Plaintisf
Will Attempt 70 Show Gardner Held
Out Part Of Pay Of Employees.
Special to Times : Republican.

special to TimeS-RepuDl1can.
Clarion, March $.-Yesterday in the
district court Of this county. Judge J..
NJ. Wright presiding. begun the trial
% the ::.sroz ttzsne Indictment cases 81
Hardin county against its county en-
gineer and board Of supervisors. which
were brought to this court upon a
change Of venue. The charges preferred
created wide interest because of the
character Of the charge. that Of alleged
Illegal manipulation Of county funds.
The results of the trials in the verdicts
rendered will affect matters pertaining
to the future conduct OF county officials
in general relative to the handling Of
and disposition Of funds in their charge.
These cases are the first of the char
acter to be tried In this locality and
doubtless in the state.
The first case called and now on trial
is titled State Of Iowa VS.. S. B. Card
ner, on indictment by the grand jury
Of Hardin county for alleged cheating
by false pretense.
Jury Speedily Secured.
Never before In this county has a
case been represented by a stronger
array of legal talent. The plaintiff is
represented by County Attorney c. A.
Bryson, of Iowa Falls; County At
torney A. R. Ladd, of Clarion, and
Judge C. G. Lee, Of Boone: the defend
ant by Judge B. P. Birdsall. Of Clarion;
C. E. Wheeler, of Cedar Rapids; Stiger
& Stigef, Of Toledo. and G. w. Ward, of
5Eldora. Attorney Bryson conducted
the qualification examination of the
Jury for the plaintiff and Judge Birdsall
performed the same duty for the de-
tense. both exercising the full limit of
pre- emptories. The following named
jurors were accepted: George Gar
brich. Belmond. farmer; NJ. G. Luck,
Belmond, farmer; W. L. Sturk. Gait,
farmer: John Mckinney. Gait, former;
G. s. Thomas, Clarion. farmer; c. J..
Johnson. Kanawha, farmer; E. r.
sThorson. Kanawha, farmers Charles
tschupeel, Renwick farmer: E. b.
Harding, Goldneld. farmer; John Sheu-
hair, Eagle 0ssve, farmer: Lew Wat
kins. Eagle Grove. farmer: G. c. Will
( liams, Clarion, veterinarian.
The main questions put to the jurors
by the plaintiffs attorney touching
their Qualifications to serve, were: Are
you related to persons holding the po-
sition Of county supervisor or that OF
y county surveyor or engineer" DO
( you own real estate and II so. Is It
located In a drainage DISTRICT" The
main questions for the defense were:
Have you ever had unsatisfactory
business relations with county super
visors or county engineers" would
the fact that a person has been accused
of a crime and indicted by grand
jury create in your mind prejudice
against the accused and influence you
in your decision Of the case 2"
Evidence Presented.
The Jury panel was completed at
noon and the introduction Of evidence
began at the afternoon session at 1880.
Ex-County Auditor Haines. Of Hardin
county, was the first witness called for
the purpose Of identifying certain
documents offered In evidence. He was
followed by Ex-C County Auditor Mar
rage, of Hardin county, who was still
on the stand at the closing Of court
Tuesday. The plaintiff has introduced
IN to this time about sixty document
AIRY exhibits in evidence. with more to
follow. Witness Marriages testimony
relates TO the Identification Of certain
bills filed and warrants issued during
his term Of Office. and about half Of the