The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1919-11-07
WITNESSES IN MElNTS
CASE ON STAND
TRIAL IN FEDERAL COURT
Lawyers Badger" Each Other;
Audience Is Consequently
Interested

John Meints, plaintiff in the $1O0,
600 damage suit now in progress in
the federal court was called to the
stand for an examination before
Judge Wilbur Booth late this after
noon. The attorneys for the plain
uft, Tom Davis and Arthur LIE Sueur,
this noon completed their cross-ex-
animation of defendants in the ac-
ton. The information brought out
this morning was nothing more than
a repetition Of the testimony of for
mer witnesses.
AT noon the members OF the jury
were excused until Monday At the
opening OF court this afternoon John
Meints was called to the stand for
an examination before the court. At
torney Pierce Butler for the defense
was cross examining Meints late
this afternoon
The salient points brought out were
that Meints on August 81, after the
night on which he claims he was
tarred and feathered near the Dakota
line went Immediately to st. Paul. He
back" as he expressed it. Here he
interviewed Department of Justice
Agent Campbell and the following day
went to Dakota again with two agents
of the department of justice.
While in ST. Paul at that time
Meints also admitted that he signed
the certification of the complaint on
which the present action was started.
The examination of Meints is done
10 establish his residence. If ii is
determined that he lives in Rock
county, it is understood that the de.
PENDANTS will move for a dismissal of
the case on the ground that the fed
Eal judge has no jurisdiction.
All Told Same Story.
Witnesses called in the case yes
terday afternoon told practically the
same story that the first witnesses
had related regarding the events
which transpired on June 10 and 90
and on August 10, with regard to
Luverne parties visiting the Meints
home and advising John Meints to
leave the county and the state.
Irwin Turnhull related in detail of
the trip with Meints to the Iowa line
when he first left Luverne. He was
also with him the ime Meints was
taken 10 the Dakota line ana reIated
the holdup by masked-aen, as told
d by witnesses on the stand yesterday.
Speaking of looking into the gun
barrel of weapon held by one OF
the masked men, Turnhull stated the
gun looked about ordinary size.
Attorney Looked Into Gun.
n1 f,to
barrel and ii looked as big as a dish
pan to me" said Attorney LeSueur,
conducting the cross examination
You're sure that wasn't a Calling
gun" cut in Attorney Pierce Butler
of the defense
"Were you afraid?" the attorney
asked. ....
Il certainly was" was the answer.
Turnhull declared he did not rec
ognize any of the men who held I'D
the party.
You left him in the hands of four
outlaws and when you returned to
Luverne you never notified any of
the authorities there did you?" asked
Mr.. LeSueur.
Il didn't know but what he was
in the hands of his friends" replied
the witness
Harry Kimerling, a farmer near
Luverne was the next witness call
ed. Attorney Tom Davis took charge
CT the cross examination here. Kim
efling also related the events leading
up TO the time Meints was, taken to
the Commercial club rooms in Lu-
verne. Here court adjourned and he
was the first witness called to the
stand this morning.