The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1919-11-14
Meints Was Questioned BY
Attorney Pierce Butler
PLAINTIFF WAS JOCULAR
Some Very Kind Remarks Pass
Between Lawyer and
Witness

'oIuSs EleICt bulltT LOT the ueleuSe
in federal court yesterday afternoon.
The cross examination will be con.
tinued again when court goes into
session Monday afternoon at two
o'clock. Yesterday morning Meints
made his dramatic accusations , in
court, claiming that Rev. w. III. Bed
ford, Leo Connell and Otto lillian of
Luverne were three men in the mask
ed gang that tarred and feathered
him, whom he recognized.
Shortly after noon Attorney Pierce
Butler took Meints over for cross ex-
animation. He carefully went over all
the ground covered by previous testi-
mony, requesting the witness to re-
peat again the events which occurred
on June 20, August 8 and August 19.
Under cross examination Meints story
vas substantially the same as related
to Attorney Tom Davis during the
forenoon.
Speaking of the June 20 episode,
when Meints left for Iowa, Attorney
Butler asked if his loyalty was ques-
toned then.
They didn't test me for my 10y
atty at ALL" responded the witness.
They Just tested me TO get me out
of the state"
And you were afraid of these
mem" asked Mr.. Butler.
y can't say if l was or | wasn't.
l simply obeyed," was the answer.
Attorney Butler: AT no time when
you went to the Iowa line was there
any compassion, ~buldozing or threats
used"
mo, sir" replied Meints.
The witness, under questioning fur
Their admitted that he could not name
anyone he feared in the mob gang"
as he described it.
Visit to Bedford Home. m
Meints related incidents concerning
a visit he made to the home of Rev.
Bedford on July 26, after his return
from the Iowa line, to see il the mimi
ster would not intercede in his be-
half that he might remain in Luverne
with bis wife.
you went to Bedford as a friend,
didn't yoBeg asked Mr.. Butler
We'll, yes." was the slow response.
O: why did you 90 to him.
A: Because he was head of the
mob gang"
Mr.. Butler: 81 see. Then you went
10 the foreman of the mob gang as a
friend, believing that he would be-
friend you?," =
Meints declared that Rev. Bedford
informed him hat sentiment was so
against him he had better get out OF
" -z.-4. ora ,ar,o;p aurou ..
Did Not Visit Officials.
Meints further admitted that he did
net visit the county attorney or the
sheriff or n other officials in La
verne and ask for protection at that
time.
In regard to the occurrences of Au-
gust 10, when the Luverne parties
called at the farm of Fred Meints for
John Meints, the plaintiff declared he
had a revolver and a fork handle up
stairs with MIN.
WAS the gun loaded?" asked Mr.
Butler. j..
Certainly it was. I had kept il
loaded" was the answer. "Mr. Camp
bell advised me to arm myself and
shoot anyone that came after me"
Meints said he stood at the head Of
the stairs near the door of his room
with the gun in hand.
lotto lillian opened the door and
looked up. Then he hollered: He's
got a gun. He's got a gum" testified
Meints.
Weints then consented to come
downstairs when his son told him the
men were there simply to take him IL
Luyerne for a hearing. He said he
changed his clothes before going
downstairs.
"Did you put on a tieT" asked Mr.
Butler. H..
mo, he was to busy with the rope
replied the plaintiff.
mo. sir, | never wear a tie. No one
"Was there wal bread on the
"Did Rev. Bedford have a gun?
yes replied Meints.
ever saw me wear one" Meints said
Attorney Butler asked.
WAS he table set when you came
downstairs" the attorney asked.
table ?' inquired the attorney.
aThat is objected to as immaterial.'
~interposed Attorney lie Sueur. The
court ruled out the question.
"Well, it was never .immateriai IN
nv home" mumbled Mr.. Butler.
That Trip to Luverne.
Meints then related the occur
Ian were the masked men he knew.
rrences of the trip to Luverne and the
scene in the Commercial club rooms
there. He said he expressed a de-
sire to go to the Dakota state line and
IT was. agreed to take him there
Meints was questioned to some ex-
tent regarding the holdup but he only
reiterated his statements of the
morning that Bedford, Connell and III
Testimony was then given regard
ing his walk to Brandon. s. D., bis
train trip to Sioux Falls. summonlne
Of his wife, his cleaning up at a bar
Der shop, and of the trip the family
took to an alley on the outskirts OF
the city where Meints claimed he
showed his wife and son the tar and
feathers.
.sut,o, vonr son drove his Ford Gar