The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1916-10-06
CALDWELL CITIZENS ARE
Up IN ARMS OVER
HUNTzbERRY AFFAIR

Nearly 50 citizens of Caldwell out
ragged by the farce of'sending a crimi-
nal to the insane asylum that he might
escape the penalty of the law, have
taken the extraordinary step of petit
tioning the board of county commits
sloners to- employ special counsel to
prosecute the case against F. ".
Huntzberry, charged with revolving
crime. These citizens, friends and
neighbors of the outraged families.
are justly indignant at the proceedings
which took place in the probate court
Friday of last week when said Huntz-
berry was adjudged insane. They are
up in arms. The petition asks the
board of county commissioners to en-
ploy special counsel to prosecute
Huntzberry owing to the fact that
Prosecuting Attorney Griffiths has
tailed to do so, and, in their Judgment
has no intention of so doing. The
petitioners also condemn the authori-
ties who participated in the action:
the manner in which it was done: and
the secrecy which prevailed.
Petition Numerously Signed.
The petition and signatures re-
ferred to above were numerousIv
signed. 1t appears elsewhere on this
page of The Tribune. The petition
was circulated by Mr.. Mat Wentz, the
complaining witness against Huntz-
berry. Mr. Wentz said that he could
get two hundred and fifty signers if he
deemed it necessary. The people of
the community feel outraged and in
dignant, says Mr. Wentz They con-
DENIM the manner and means Of pro
tectlng Huntzberry from the law. The
secrecy which prevailed; the fact that
outside doctors, who together with
the regularly employed county physi-
clan, were employed; are particularly
CALLING to the people of Caldwell.
Mr.. Wentz stated that inquiry at
the court house in the office of the
sheriff resulted in the statement by a
deputy sheriff that no such steps were
under consideration. The complain
ing witness in this case was not mott
tied of the proposed action and neither
were other persons interested.
We the petitions" continued Mr.,
Wentz, "have no hopes of securing
the prosecution of Huntzberry. We
are taking this means of showing our
Indignation and sense of shame at the
outrage that has been perpetrated.
AL OItlCldlS involved.
Naturally we feel the greatest in
dignation at the action of Attorney
Griffiths. However, the other county
officials are entitled to censure and
condemnation. 1t seems that a con-
spiracy of silence was organized and
participated in by all concerned. Some
very ug ly charges are being made in
connection with this case. | do not
care to repeat them as | cannot sub
stantiate them at the present time.
The action carries with it it's own CON-
demnation. The secrecy, the bringing
in of outside doctors. the denial of the
fact that the prisoner was to be ex-
amined on the charge of insanity, the
silence of county officials, each and
all condemn the action taken as un-
usual"
Letter to Griffiths.
Mrs. Wentz was in the east this
summer. She was interested in the
case and wrote Attorney Griffiths
asking when Huntzberry would be
brought to trail as she wanted to re-
turn home in ample time should her
testimony be needed Griffiths failed
to reply to the letter.
Friday, Mr.. Sanderson heard a ru-
NOR to the effect that Htmtzberry
was to be examined as to his sanity.
He went to the court house and was
informed by deputy sheriff that
there was nothing to the story No
such action is even thought of were
the words used by the deputy in re-
ply to Mr.. Sanderson's inquiry.