Omaha daily bee., 1919-02-25
iowa STIRRED
BY SCANDAL
AT IDA Grove
Governor Harding, Who Par
doned Ernest Rathbun, is
to Testify Before the
Grand Jury.

Ida Grove, la, Feb. 24-(Spe-
cial9-Word was received this
morning that Gov w. L. Harding
would arrive here soon to testify
before the grand jury in the Ernest
Raihbun case.
/ The message was sent from Car
troll, Ia, where the governor was
compelled to stop for medical treat
ment when he was seized with ar
attack Of illness last week ell route
from Des Moines to Ida Grove. 1t
was addressed to Attorney General
H. NJ. Havner and signed by
Charles Witt, the governors secrc-
tary. .. >
Governor Last Witness.
The attorney general declared
that the grand jury would submit a
report after hearing the statement
of the governor. who will be the last
WITNESS. F
Mr.. HSvner, assisted by Attor-
neys ]. w. Kindig and ]. L. Ken
needy of Sioux City, is said to be IT.
tempting to obtain an indictment
against young Rathbun for perjury.
1t is alleged the prisoner corr
fessed to having assaulted Elsie
Hargens year ago, and following
his trail for criminal assault las;
spring, which proved one of the
most sensational in the history OF
Ida county, his conviction and sub
sequent pardon by the governor, an
effort is being made to obtain an
indictment for false swearing in the
statement upon which Governor
Harding based his action in setting
aside the verdict of the court.
Town in Turmoil.
Excitement is at high pitch here.
Feeling against Rathbun, who was
not committed to jail until last
Thursday, is bitter. He was arrest
ed and confined to the Ida county
jail upon instructions of the attorney
general, who holds that the governor
his authority in granting
pardon to the accused, in as much
as he did not submit the application
first to the state board. Mr.. Havner
located in the clerks office the origi-
nal commitment to the state peni-
Tertiary issued after the trial, in
which Rathbun was found guilty,
and ordered Sheriff Dalquist i'm
mediately to take the accused to the
state prison.
Attorney George Clark, for the
prisoner, at once applied to Judge E.
G. Alberts for the release of his
client on a writ of habeas corpus.
Rathbun is being held without bond
pending a hearing, which has been |
set for Wednesday. Governor Hard
ing is expected to appear at the |
hearing.
Serious Charges Made.
A great deal of speculation is be-
ing INDUCED in as to the nature of |
the grand jury's report, which is
predicted not only will concern
Rathbun Charges of attempts to
bride jurors at the trial have been |
circulated freely. The grand jury |
also is said to be investigating ru-
mors to the effect that Rathbun's !
father gave an attorney $4,000 only |
recently. This money is said to have |
been in addition to a regular fee.
1t is said that the attorney gen
eral has remained in the grand jury |
room throughout the investigation. |
Mr.. Havner refused to say on what |
the governor would be |
questioned. People here are looking |
tor several indictments with the re-
port of the grand jury.
Ernest Rathbun and Ray O'Meara, !
10 years old, the sons OF wealthy and |
influential farmers living near Ida
Grove, are alleged to have been driv-
ing in Rathbun's automobile last
spring when they met Elsie Hair |
gems and another girl on the street. |
The boys were not acquainted with |
the girls, but they stopped and en-
gagged them in conversation. They |
were invited to get in the car and |
go for ride and accepted the invi-
tation. The automobile was stopped |
a short distance from the city limits |
and all four of the occupants alight- |
ed and took a walk through the
woods. The boys are said to have
handled the girls roughly and Miss
Hargens companion fed. Miss Har- (
gems is alleged to have been held a
prisoner and criminally assaulted by |
both boys.
Were in Omaha.
A report Of the affair was made 10
County Attorney Clark. who obtain
ed warrants for the arrests of Rath-
bun and 0'Meara. When the BOYS
learned that warrants, charging
criminal assault. were in the hands !
of the sheriff, they took RatIbun's |
car and left town. They spent about |
two weeks in Omaha while fugitives
from justice and returned to the
home of William Rathbun, brother
of Ernest Rathbun. living on a farm
about two miles from Ida Grove.
William Rathbun advised his broth
er and O'Meara to surrender them
selves to the sheriff. This was done
after arrangements had been made
for their release on bonds.
Attorney General Havner interest
ed himself in the case from the first
and sent o. o. Rock, chief state
agent, and three assistants to Ida
Grove to make an investigation and
obtain evidence against the two
boys. The state agents are alleged
10 have obtained a signed statement
from Rathbun admitting his guilt
upon the promise that ne would b.
exempted from prosecution and that
O'Meara would be made to suffer for
the crime.
o'Meara Found Guilty. 7