Sioux County pioneer. (Fort Yates, Sioux County, N.D.) 1914-1929, 1919-08-07
PROVE PERljURYIN
T0WNLEY TRIAL
Letters Show That Nicholas and
Teigen Swore To untruths
To Get Conviction.

Denial of the right to be heard in
court was not the only injustice per-
petrated against A. c. Townley, presl-
dent of the National NOnpartsan
League to secure his conviction for dis
loyalty. Evidence of perjury on the
part of Prosecuting Attorney Il. H.
Nicholas and the states star witness,
f. A. Teigen, has been furnished in
published letters given out from the
headquarters of the National Nonpar-
tisan league in st. Paul.
During the trial at Jackson county,
MIMI, the defense sought to prove
that Nicholas and Teigen had had
former dealings regarding the sale of
Teigen's anti-League book. Both Tel
gen and Nicholas denied this. The
court refused to permit the introduce
ton by the defense of evidence i'm
peaching the veraclty Of the two wit
nesses on this very material point. A
letter photographed and published by
the League shows that Nicholas was
pushing the sale of Teigen's book
among Jackson county citizens.
The defense also sought to prove
that Teigen was paid money from
Charles Patterson, head of the anti
League headquarters in st. Paul.
Teigen denied this charge, and again
the defense was forbidden to Introduce
evidence. A Photographic cut of an
other letter given out by the League
tells of Teigen begging for money on
completion of his contract with Pat
terson, and maintains that he has
permanent job with the anti-League
forces.
The first of these letters was written
by Nicholas to Teigen. 1t Is as fol-
lows:
Jackson, Minn., April II, 1919.
Mr. r. A. Teigen,
st. Paul, MINI.
Dear Mr.. Teigen:
I sent you letter on March
9th, but mistake was made and
1T was addressed to Minneapolis
instead of st. Paul. and has just
been returned to me.
I have had several meetings
down here In different towns, and
talked over this matter with the
business men, and 1t seems, to me
that the time Is right for immedi-
ate and vigorous action.
: ~ Yours very truly,
Il. H. NICHOLAS,
This letter shows that Nicholas per-
jured himself when he stated in court
that he had not had former dealings
with Teigen.s Ets5
Another photograph of a letter
issued from League Headquarters is
from Teigen to Patterson. 1t says:
Dear Mr.. Patterson:
l have Mr.. ShOemaker's library
here. Mr.. Ingalls, has practically
finished his expose of the League
- and 1 have, believe, the matter
of Il permanent arrangement fixed.
I was supposed to have paid these
people today for services that they
have rendered in good faith, and
that l promised to pay, believing
that l should find myself in a DO
sitiOn to do SO, therefore beg Of
you that If you can possibly avoid
it do not disappoint me tomorrow
when call. Yours,
f. A. TE1GEN.
On the witness stand, this star wit
ness Of the prosecution, whose testi-
mony was used to secure the convic-
ton of Townley and Gilbert, stated
under oath he had had no dealings
with Patterson.
The attorneys for Townley and Gill
bert had gathered data showing the
past record of Teigen. They tried to
introduce it to show that Teigen was
not reliable witness, but were ruled
out. This information showed the
following high points in Teigen's life {:
Accused Of stealing jewelry from a
woman of bad repute.
Accused of converting League money
to his own uses.
Accused of accepting money for
making out draft exemption papers
after giving draft subjects the inn
preston that he could obtain their
exemption from service.
Indicted by federal grand jury for
violating the federal espionage law
and now awaiting trial.
Discharged from the employ Of the
( NOnpartisan League.
Employed by Charles Patterson to
y write book exposing" the League.
Arrested in Wisconsin on a charge of
obtaining money under false pretenses.
OHered to testify for the state In
T6wnley-G Gilbert trial. M
Received order for county money
from Nicholas and got order cashed
through the offices of League or.
ganizer
Made League speech at meet
ing in Wisconsin,.
Testified on the following day
against Mr.. Townley.
Aside from this, Mr.. Teigen is known
as q wife deserter, having left his wife
and child in destitute circumstances
An enlargement of the work Of the
state highway commission In building
and repairing roads In order to Civ,
$s work to farmers of western North Da
kQta and eastern Montana. who hay,