The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1921-02-07
TRIAL
BEGUN TODAY
Little Expected to he Accomplish.
ed This Week = Many Wit
nesSeS Summoned.

Today at 10 o'clock marked the
beginning Of the trial Of Thomas
E. Pruett, 20-year-old Chicago
youth; Quentin Sherman, aged %
years, Aledo gambler, and Russell
Woods, aged "a. Chicago, gambler,
who are charged with the murder
Of Robert swearingen, Aledo's for
mer chief Of police, who was shot
to death on the night of Sept. Is,
1920.
The three men, who have all en-
tered pleas Of not guilty, are rep
resented by some OF the best legal
counsel in the state and q hard
fought case is anticipated. Pruett,
who has made q confession to the
fact that he was one Of the two
men who held up. the poker game
ON the night W the murder, and
that he fired two shots. one in the
room and one as he came down the
stairs, is defended by Attorney C.
B. Mccoy of Chicago and Attorney
James A. Allen of Aledo. Sherman.
who made confession that he
had planned the holdup, but said
he was not near the rooms at the
time the holdup and murder took
place, is defended by Attorneys
Watson and Duyall of Aledo. At
torney W. H: Hartzell of Carthage,
noted criminal lawyer, is defend
ing Wood.
Assisting States Attorney Paul
]. Graham in the prosecution is
former States Attorney D. A. He
bel of Aledo and Assistant States
Attorney Edward L. Eagle Of Rock
Island.
Nothing of the whereabouts Of
Abe Rubenstefn, only member Of
the holdup- gang who has not been
apprehended, can be learned. In
an effort to locate the man before
the trial ends, Sheriff Fleming has
offered q reward Of $3.50. A photo
Of Rubenstein taken but q few
weeks before the Kledo crime has
been secured by Sheriff Fleming
and is being used on posters which
will be sent throughout the coun-
try in an effort to locate the gun
man. 80
Judge Emery c. Graves Of Gen
eseo il on the bench. the recent ILL
ness Of Judge W. T. Church Of Ale
do preventing him from hearing the
ease. Judge Graves has issued word
that strict order will be enforced
in the court room ut all times dur
ing the trial; and that no 4one will
be allowed to leave the room dur
ing the progress of the days. ses-
sion. When the seats in. the court
room are full, no one will be ad-
mitted. and no one will be allowed
to stand in the corridors. Some
talk Of issuing passes for admit
lance to the court room has been
made, but as yet no definite action
has been, taken.
While as yet not all have arriv-
ed, friends and parents Of the three
men will be present at the trial.
Mrs. Mary English Of Chicago.
mother of Thomas Pruett, expects
70 here. Mr.. and Mrs. Wood Of
Augdl p, patents Of Russell Wood,
and Tom Jones Of Chicago. famous
prize fight promoter and uncle OF
Wood, will also be in attendance.
L The many witnesses summoned
for the trial were on hand today,
but it is not expected that they will
be needed for q week at least, as it
will probably take some time to
select the jury. However, as States
! Attorney Graham is urging speedy
trial, the work of selecting the jury
will be pushed rs rapidly rs pos
sible. Following are the members
Of the jury venire who were on
hand today:
North Henderson-James Flahar-
| ~, F. w. Anderson. George Higgins
Rivoli-W. H. Veeder.
Richland Grove-Cyrus Nimrick
Ha;don Parker, ]. L. Gustafs0n
william Bell.
Sues-F. W. Hartzell. W. G. Ram.
sey, Arthur Rodgers. H. H. Meeker
Greene = Lee johnson. Franz
Norris, ]. C. Ashenhurst, A. w
Smith, Alex McGaughey.
Ohio Groye-T. d. Speer. i.
Nercer-D. s. Derr, W. s. Butch.
Or, Simon Marble. Hugh McWhor.
ter, A. n. Macy, w. L. Morgan.
Perryt0n-Joseph Morrison.
Abingt0n-Guy Ditto.
Millersburg-Riley Duncan. C. c
Belt, C. W. Bridgford, Fred Egbert
William C. Armstrong.
Keithsburg = Walt Armstrong
Earl Brown. 6.......
ElixaNC. n. Mason, John Frei.
den, J. R Boru6. ....
WILL ENTERTAIN CIRlIE.
The Misses Helen and Lens
Vinger will he hostesseA to tn
members OF the Ann Watson circle
Of the United Presbyterian church
tonight It their home en- Nortl
Hemlock steest