The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1921-03-17
THE ALEXANDER TRIAL

W
summoned to the bank. He said the
latter was taken to the basement and
was requested by the sheriff to search
and that he looked in every place but
the aperture in the wall until so di-
rected by the sheriff He said Alex
ander claimed the officers had placed
the money in the hole for the purpose
of framing" him.
Owen Gleason, now serving time
for implication in the robbery, testi-
fled to the plans that were made for
the robbery of the bank at the house
of Goodwin and said they talked with
Alexander about the robbery of the
bank and how it was to be accom-
plished. His testimony was substan-
TALLY like that of Ryan which has
been given above. He admitted that
he received the bonds, which he ship
to Detroit, where he was arrested
trying to secure them from the ex-
press office.
Jack Ryan, being recalled, told of
the plans that were laid at the Good
win home for robbing the bank.
Asked if Alexander knew that the
bank was to be robbed, Ryan replied,
saying: "Sure he did. He wanted me
to go out to Clio and look the bank
over, / told him I'd do it" We start
ed for Clio the next day, but got lost
on the road going to Saginaw, so We
went up Wednesday and robbed the
bank. Il was the first one in the
bank" said Ryan. Alexander said
hello. have you got your friends?"
l called them in, and we went be-
the cage, took the money, and then
went to the safe and took the bonds"
Driscoil Backs Alexander
James Driscoll, who was taken in
to custody on suspicion at the time of
the robbery, created a stir in the
court room when he declared that
the meeting which was held at his
home previous to the robbery was to
arrange for a case of whiskey to be
taken to the Clio bank for Alexander.
On cross examination he admitted
having been arrested six different
times.
"Pete" Richardson, who has done
time in Ionia for forgery, also took
the stand in Alexander's behalf and
declared that he was also at the
meeting with Alexander and the men,
but that the robbery was not dis
cused. Richardson admitted being in
toxicated on the night in question.
Alexander on Stand
Mr.. Alexander was placed on the
stand Thursday morning and under
cross examination admitted numerous
| indiscretions. Asked if he was not
in Flint on the Monday night previous
to the robbery with girl named
Beatrice, he admitted that he was but
declared that he never saw the girl
after that date. He also admitted
being out riding with fellow by the
name of Chippy and two girls on
previous date and to the purchase of
some whiskey at the rate of $500
per quart. He said that he was at
cock fight near Bircn Run the Satur-
day night preceding the robbery and
denied giving himself the black eyes
he had after the crime was commit
ted.
On direct examination Alexander
said he attended a meeting at $50
Durand Street on Monday night be-
fore the robbery and claimed that the
meeting with Gleason and Ryan was
arranged by James Driscoll in order
that he might arrange with them to
supply him with some whiskey. He
said he bargained with them for a
case of whiskey and that they were
to deliver it at the bank the following
noon when he would be alone. He
| denied that any conversation about
robbing the bank took place at this
meeting. He also denied seeing Ryan
when he went to Flint on the day be-
fore the robbery, claiming he made
the trip to select a pocketbook for
Mrs. Alexander, as Christmas gift.
In giving his version of the details
of the robbery Alexander said: Ryan
appeared and asked if everything was
all right and | told him that it was.
| thought he had come up with the
whiskey; he pulled gun and told me
| to throw up my hands. He told me
not to see those fellows coming in or
he would shoot. He held me there
only a few minutes while the men
were gathering up the cash. Some
one placed something at my back and
ordered me to go into the next room
where he struck me with something
that felt like a hard instrument. /
was unconscious for few minutes.
When came too | was in a cloakroom
| off the directors room. | went out
| into the lobby and saw John Daily.
diately attire the bank had been
robbed.
The witness said that Ryan who
had him covered with the gun told
! him mot to squawk," or he or his
gang would get him. 1t was because
of this threat and the further fact
he did not want people to know of
his arrangement to purchase the
whiskey that he did not tell who it
was that committed the robbery.
Charles Stevens appeared as a wit
ness for the defense and told of see
| ing the basement door of the bank
open at about 1885 o'clock at
night four or five days after the rob-
berry. His testimony caused some
amusement.
Mrs. Alexander on Stand
Mrs. Alexander took the stand
in her husbands behalf and made a
favorable impression. She testified
to the character of his injuries and
on her return to her husbands side
greeted him with smile. His father,
also has faithfully been at his side