Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1917-09-30
BY EDWARD BLACK.
(staff Correspondent for The Bee.)

tstaff Correspondent for The Bee.)
Red Oak, Ia, Sept. 29.-(Special
Telegram.)-The Kelly defense COM
mittee of Montgomery county today
adopted the name of the Iowa. Pro-
tective association; declared it would
extend its activities to statewide
scope, listened to a characteristic ad-
dress from Detective ]. N. Wiikerson,
and demanded the resignation of At
torney General H. M. Havner.
Standing room was not to be had
in the Beardsley theater and the
crowd was estimated at 1000. Wilk-
erson, chief public spokesman Of the
association, lambasted Havner, Coun-
ty Attorney Wenstrand and the state
agents and announced his intention
Of invading Harrison county with his
meetings. -,
Joe Stillinger Presides.
Logan, county seat of Harrison,
will be the scene of Havner's forth
coming trial on indictment by the
Montgomery grand jury for in
timidating witness, change OF venue
having been granted this. week by
Judge Boies on the last day of the
Kelly trial. -,
Joseph Stillinger, president of the
association, presided at the meeting
L. B. Penton of Villisca read "ar-
tcles of impeachment" OF Attorney
General Havner, the articles being in
substance as follows:
That he falsely obtained passage
through the last general assembly
appropriation of $25,000, promising
that a large portion would be ex-
pended for investigation of the Viii
lisca ak murders.
"Violation of the promise alleged
and so evident as to bring shame up
OH a free people. .,,,.,
"Denunciation of the anti-Wilker-
son law as ratified, the law being
mentioned as contrary to the constl-
tuition and framed by Havner as an
nstrumentality to prevent exposure
of corruption in politics and admins
tration of law"
Scoring for Havner.
Havner was condemned for alleged
interference of law in Montgomery
county affairs. by peremptorily taking
charge of the grand jury investiga-
ton Of the Villisca tragedy, and ac-
cused of sending state agents to this
county to "Annov and intimitade and
influence citizens who had been or
will be witnesses in state cases."
Havner is accused of constant
association with a man whom PUBLIC
has reason to believe was implicated
in the Villisca murders" denounced
for insulting questions to Mr.. and
Mrs. Stillinger." accused of import
ing a Judge from another district to
try the Kelly case" reckless expen-
diture of county and state funds by
bringing useless witnesses from great
ditances," denounced for "inhuman
and cruel grilling of Kelly at Logan"
Using his influence to defeat ends
of justice by inducing County Attor-
ney Westrand to consent to change
of venue Of the trial to be held on
recent indictment against Havner.
Protest Against Removal.
"We. protest against the removal
of Kelly to another county and urge
repeal of the anti-Wilkerson law,
which is a disgrace to Iowa. We
pledge hearty cooperation in further
ing the investigation which shall end
only when the real criminal has been
apprehended."
Attorney General Havner did not
attend the meeting.
Depicting with dramatic effect the
Logan jail scene. Detective Wilker-
son gave this finishing touch.
Kelly cried out in his agony, oh.
Cod and Havner replied, Here |
am"
when Havner's name appears on
the ballot next time, let the slogan be
'Slav Utterly" was Wilkerson's con-
clusion.
Wilkerson entered this plea of per-
sonaI modesty. 81 wish that in these
talks I would not have to refer to
mvseff. because that is distasteful to
a man who is naturally modest |
am only the side show. ! seek only
the very truth"