Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1921-08-10

I await trial on the charge Of defraudina
the people of the state of some So.
100000 while state treasurer through
alleged failure to turn over to the state
the proper interest on state funds.
A Dramatic Day.
1t was dramatic day in the capital
OF Illinois and the whole city was at
white heat for hours as the climax
OF the long contest between the COVER
nor and county officers drew near.
After the governor had refused Monday
to yield to service of the three war
rants held by the sheriff, the latter
had told him he would serve the pap
ers Tuesday or as soon thereafter as
possible, either quietly or with any
necessary effort.
When the sheriff went to the capitol
to perform his duty as directed BY
Judge Smith of the county court, Gov
ernor Small, attended by several advis-
ors, was in his office and refused to
come out at the sheriff's request. The
sheriff then placed deputies around the
building to block any undeterred egress
of the governor and sat down in the
lobby to smoke until the chief officer
Of the commonwealth should decide to
emerge.
0ucf1tt 01I01 OUT + IGms
He announced that he had the ad-
vantage of the besieged man, because
he had taken precautions to eat his
luncheon before investing the capitol
and laughingly remarked that he had
little else except the arrest Of the gov
ernor to occupy his time.
The governor finally sent out word,
several hours after the luncheon hour.
that the sheriff might come into his
office and serve the warrants, but the
sheriff declined. saying he was in no
hurry and would prefer to make the
arrest outside to avoid any technical
tiles or charges Of interrupting execu-
tive business.
This tact of the sheriff was in pur-
suance of the attitude adopted from
the time the indictments were returned
on July 20.
Crowds gathered around the state
house as the afternoon wore on and
there was a holiday appearance within
the structure as flashlights doomed
and the high rotunda filled with smoke.
Bet the governor kept at work in hs
office, sending out two lists Of ap-
pointments during the siege.
Surrsnder at Home
As the shadow of Lincoln's monu-
ment in the capitol yard grew long
under the declining sun, the chic. ex-
ecutive finally sent out word that he
would surrender to the county officer
at the executive mansion at 5 o'clock
if it could be arranged to give bond
ed by Sheriff Mester, who Withdrew
80
uties.
At S O'Clock, the sheriff With his
warrants, somewhat thumbworn from
long handling, drove to the governors
house.
Governor, an here with the war
rants" said Sheriff Mester when he
met the governor in the mansion The
sheriff then read the warrants and
said:
Governor. you are under arrest"
Every well, what shall / do7" tho
governor asked
G. B. Gillespie, Of the governors
then produced q bond which
had been prepared and asked tho aher-
If to take the securities in the man
sion, but the latter declined vt
Takes SmaH to Court Hose.
'You must 60 with mo to the court
house," the sheriff declared.
When Gillespie was inistent, the
sheriff said:
"Mr. Gillespie. you are not working
or me; you are working for Governor
Small. We must SO TO the court
,ouse."
The governor entered NesterB auto
mobile and went to the court house,
where bonds were signed by Roy and
Harry Ide and g. 81. Jenkins. The
governor then returned home.
Governor Small was indicted BY the
sangamon county grand jury ON July
%. on charges Of embezzlement Of
500 900 of state funds and conspiracy
o embezzle 5000, COO The acts OF
which he was accused took place while
le was state treasurer and before his
lection as governor.
Indictments Also were returned at
he same time against Lieutenant Gov
rnor Sterling and Vernon Curtis.
Srant Park Banker. Both Of the latter
ubmitted Do arrest and gave bonds,
nut Governor Small, through his at
orneys, contended that he was immune
rom arrest because Of his position ~
he states chief executive and tAAt his
would involve tho su9run-
er Of his sexocut3ve l3gh44 aneunt1ng
) an interference with tho eDoeut1v0
ranch Of the govez1m1me hU tAA ~
ial branch.
The court. hovsve1I 6eu1sd IN \
lea, dec1ariut fhat tho 4uvogno9 Nna
ot aoovo the INV ard fAa3 H. -.
Lsnk ADqtziRo that sthe Ane 60 6
1nE1@ G&sNnA nn2sN - hanI