New-York tribune., 1918-05-18
Prayer Case Juror
"Wouldn't Like. to
Convict" Lynchers
Talesman Accepted After
He Announces Sympathy
for Men on Trial
Especial Dispatch to The Tribune)

'opec1t Dtspdtch to The Tribune)
EDWARDSV1LLE, Ill.,, May 17.-A
talesman who in open court announced
his sympathy for the men who hanged
Robert Paul Prayer, enemy alien, will
sit in the jury box when the eleven
defendants. indicted for the lynchine,
are tried for their lives.
Tie juryman is Walter Saltermaa.
of Warden, ILL.,, coal miner and former
solder. Seven of the men charged with
frager's murder are union miners; one
served for period in the United
States army.
Salterman was accepted by the prose-
cutlon to-day after five-day session
OF the Madison County Circuit Court,
winch has netted but four jurors out
OF nearly 400 citizens examined. He
was questioned in the usual way by
States Attorney Streuber, and exhibit
cd no sign of prejudice. But when he
was turned over to the defence he grew
suddenly and unexpectedly frank,
ut will take lot Of evidence to
make me change my mind about these
men on trial here" he stated loudly.
turning to look at the eleven defend,
ants. II wouldn't like to convict them. :"
I'VE accept this man." interrupted ].
M. Bandy, one of the defending at
torneys.
Salterman was one of panel of
four definitely accepted to-day and
rendered to the defense by the prose-
cution. The statute of illinois pro-
for duty in three panels Of four
men each, and when quota is
formally rendered to the opposing side
there is no legal way Of revoking the
decision.
Warden, Salterman's home village,
has large German population, and
before his examination it was rumored
that he would be disqualified by the
defence. His statement concerning his
feeling In the case caused great COM
motion in the court
ut looks as though we had an ace
iH the hole" said Thomas Williams
associate counsel for the defense. at
the end Of the session.
The other three jurymen accepted in
the panel with Salterman were Keith
Eby, Edwardsville, clerk; l. T. Ben
nett, Edwardsville, a car accountant,
and George Neary, ST., Edwardsville, q
janitor.
E. M. Olive, top man at the Warden
mines, was tentatively held as the first
prospective 0sp juror of the second panel.
AAS NOAAAAASCAA6 OP1H1Qu VI GOWdIUS-
vile citizens as to the guilt of the ac-
cused and as to the merits of lynching
as a means of home defence continued
to break through the quiet of the court
proceedings. Charles Brase, an Ed
wardsville clerk, was asked if he had
formed an opinion in the case.
II think the men are all guilty" he
said, and was severely reprimanded by
Judge Bernreuter for his indiscretion
An opposite view was held by Sol
Wiseman. 81 have an opinion" he OBJ
served, before any one could stop him
II wouldn't ever convict"
Further evidence that the defence
may try to establish lynching as an oc-
casional necessity in neighborhoods in
tested with enemy aliens was adduced
from the examination of Thomas Rus
sell, an Edwardsville barber. Russell
said that as far as the men on trial
were concerned his mind was open and
impartial. "Only, don't believe in
lynching," he added
"And you still think you could be
fair to these defendants ?" he was
asked.
"sure. I'd just let the evidence de-
eide whether they did the hanging OF
didn't do it,"
The defence used a peremptory chal.
lonpe in riddinU itco1f of p,,s,.iJ