Omaha daily bee., 1919-12-20
BIG FUND RAISED
TO FREE CUNMAN
KIRK FROM PRISON
D. ]. Campbell, Lincoln
Attorney, Tells Of
Offer Made for His
Services.

have an investigation made The
report was to be for the private
information of the governor and
not made public.
Later he said that the matter was
taken up with Acting Governor
Bushee by Mr.. Peterson, who had
lust returned from his vacation, and
that he did not participate in the
discussion. He said as he recollect-
ed it he was later called in and
typed the furlough order himself.
1t was agreed, he said, that the mat
ter was to be taken up with the gov
ernor before it became effective and
that after many attempts they dis
cussed it with him and he said he
was satisfied that it was legal with
Mr.. Bushels signature and that, as
Mr.. Bushee was taking the response
bility, he was satisfied.
Governor Advised Delay.
Questioned why it was held so
long before presentation, he said
that he first wanted to find out
where it was best for Kirk to go,
and that Mrs. Kirk was called into
conference. although she did rot
know the furlough was signed, and
told him aud Warden Fenton that
Kirk could get work in a garage
where he was formerly employed in
Omaha or at Kansas City, Sioux
City. OF Des Moines. He said the
warden advised against Kansas City,
Sioux City or Omaha, as his asso-
ciates would be bad and he could
obtain a more moral atmosphere in
Des Moines, where it was decided to
send him.
He said he talked the release over
with the governor shortly after the
Omaha riots and the governor ad-
vised against releasing Kirk at that
time on account Of the unsettled
condition in Omaha. and advised
waiting six weeks. He said it was
December ] before he was able to
again get in touch with the COVER
nor. who was very busy.
He said he was of the opinion he
was working for poor people when
he secured the release. and never
heard of $4,000 or $4,000 offer
Tor his release. He said Senator
Peterson made the financial arrange
,nent with Mrs. Kirk, who paid them
$50 as retainer. and on July s
paid them an additional 500.
Since his release Mr.. Dcvoe said
tllst he had received two letters
from Kirk and that he would submit
them to the commission tomorrow.
E, M. Johnson of the State Board
Of Pardons and Paroles. was the
FIRST witness called to the stand at
1890 a. m.
He testified that Oh August 3 he
landed the report of his investiga-
ton into the character of Kirk and
His trial in Douglas. county ordered
l.v the governor. to Phil Bross, then
private secretary to the governor.
Gave Report to Bross.
He said he remembered giving the
report to .Bross because after re-
turning to his own Office he recalled
an ambiguous statement which he
wished to correct and went back to
the governors Office. where he Sc.
cured the report from Bross and
later returned it to him.
This report is the one which was
reported missing from the files Of
the governors Office last week.
Mr.. Johnson stated that he had
discussed the general features Of
the Kirk case with Warden w. T.
Fenton of the state prison. But he
denied having ever spoken of the
matter to either Attorneys Peterson
or Devoe after making his investiga-
ton.
Following Mr.. Johnson, ]. Harry
Moore, representing The Bee at the