The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-11-17
ORTIZ ON TRIAL
GERMAN EDITOR OF CHARLES
TON FACES JURY.
Charged With Aiding Escapcd Pris-
oncrs to Evadc Arrest - Former
German Consul Witness for Gov.
cfnmCnt.

III.
owner and editor of the Deutsche
Zeitung. published at Charleston.
was placed on trial in the federal
court yesterday afternoon. He en-
tered a plea of not guilty to the two
counts charging him with aiding
Robert Fay in efecting his escape
from the federal authorities, and
with wilfully harboring and conceal
ing him to prevent his discovery and
arrest. A jury was secured i'm Is
minutes. The government and the
defense exhausted their strikes when
the eighth juror took his seat, and
the remaining jurors were sworn as
their names were called.
Fred G.. Zerps, warden of the fed
eral prison at Atlanta, was the first
witness for the prosecution, and he
| testified that Robert Fay was under
an eight year sentence, being con-
victed of conspiracy to destroy YES.
sells and that he was tried in New
York State. Fay and another pris-
oner, William Knobloch, made their
escape on August 20. 1916, and circu-
lars were sent broadcast in an effort
to effect their capture Knobloch
had been imprisoned for using the
mails to defraud.
Emil JahnZ Of Charleston testified
hat he had lived in Charleston for
SO years and for some time previous
o the break with Germany was the
German consul at that point. He was
member Of the firm of c. d. FRANKIE
& Company. A man giving his name
lS Fay called at his office some time
IN September or October to ask him
or assistance so he could get back
TO Germany. He claimed to be n Ger
nan officer. Mr.. Jahnz told him to
get out Of his office and that P. d. @
and he did. Mr.. JahnZ did not know
Why the man had approached him
ance and thought that was the reason
he stranger called on him at that
lime. He knew Orth, as a friend. Mr..
'ahnz was very feeble and he told
how his physician had advised him
against coming to Columbia and that
lie did so at the risk of his life. With
he deepest sincerity he told how he
lad replied that he was determined
come to Columbia to show his love
or his country if he died in the at
tempt. ,e
Applause, which the court did not
lttempt to prevent, greeted this
statement ,4.
William KnObloch was presented to
)e sworn and the defense objected be-
'ause he had been convicted of a
ebony. The government exhibited a
'ardon issued by the president, restor-
ng his citizenship and he was allow
I'd to testify He is 33 years old and
vas sent to the prison at Atlanta in
Way, 1916. Fay and he occupied the
same room. Fay worked in the power
house and did electrical work. The
wo made their escape on August -
through the efforts of Fay who work .
"a a trusty by certain ruses He re-
ated their experience and said thcy
we're at Hillsboro, n. c.. on Labor
lay, where they parted company
Anoploch stated that he arrived IT.
charleston on September %. The next
morning he phoned Orth and was told
he could see him at II O'Clock. ,
Nr. hopper of Savannah, who was
said to be connected with. q German
| newspaper at that place, had told
nm to call on Orth as he was al
| 1ght. Called on Orth and introduc
"a himself. He asked the defendant
ray mad been there and Orth ask
! ed him why it was that he had Ief
MIN. Witness said he tried to explain.
hat Orth called him liar. Knobloch
''ated that Orth told him Fay had /:
| new bomb that was smaller than the
one he had been using and directed
MN where to go to get some money
lie went to a German Club and secur
ed $40. He also called on q son Of
Emil Jahnz. Called on Orth next da,
and asked for more money and Orth
told him he had a lot of nerve Wen
nom Charleston to Washington. H,
said he did not know he was to bo
pardoned. He only had a short tim,
to stay in prison.
ITALIAN STRONGHOLDS CAP |
TURED.