The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1922-03-03
STATE HEAD
ATTACKED IN
JURY PROBE
Oklahoma Governor Ex
changes Blows With Oil
Man at Okmulgee.

| .Okmuigee, Okla, March Gov
! ernor j. B. A. Robertson was at
tackled by James G. Lyons, an oil
man, as the governor emerged from
the private office of County Al
torney James Hepburn this morn
/ ing, after a conference between the
/ county attorney and the governor.
! Governor Robertson, as he was
walking out of the outer office of
the county attorney, was introduced
/ to Mr.. Lyons, bystanders SAID. The
governor extended his hand and
! Mr.. Lyons was said to have struck
him in the face.
Il am a man." Governor Robert
son said, "and struck back at Mr..
Lyons" They exchanged probably
! half a dozen blows before they were
separated.
! Great disorder followed in the
! crowded corridors of the court
house Many fed, expecting more
serious occurrences.
That Mr.. Lyons struck Governor
Robertson the first blow was the
statement of w. H Crume and AS
sistant Attorney General William II.
Zwick.
The governor had arrived here
early today to present to the coun-
ty attorney letter offering to ap-
pear in person and testify before
the grand jury investigating the af-
fairs of the defunct Bank of Com
merce
Recent statements from the coun-
ty attorney, in charge of the investi-
cation, intimated that the governor
was under investigation in the case.
This was followed by a demand by
the executive that he be permitted
to testify before the grand jury to
prevent any action which might
throw a stain on the state"
County Attorney Hepburn said
nothing further than Governor Rob-
ertson would be called if his testi-
mony was desired by the grand jury
and this resulted in the appearance
here this morning of Governor Rob
ertson. In a communication TO
County Attorney Hepburn and the
foreman of the grand jury, the gov
ernor said:
IN the investigation of the af-
fairs of the closed bank of Okmul
gee and my relations thereto, moth
ing should be concealed from the
grand jury. l have personal know
edge of many most important facts
not now known by that body, and
without which it can hardly arrive
at just conclusions.
81 am here personally offering to
go before the grand jury to testify
fully as to the matters properly
before it. 1 expressly waive all priv
iIeges and immunities from prose-
cution and claims thereto on ac-
count of SO testifying and l agree
against as if l did not appear and
testify.
"If this waiver is not broad
enough, you may prepare and l
will sign a waiver in such lawful
form as you may desire. AS the
grand jury is apparently to ad-
journ, 1 must ask you for your re-
ply at this time"
"Who caused this disturbance?
shouted the county attorney.
james Lyons" was the reply
from a by-stander.
Governor Starts 1t?
Mr.. Hepburn started towards
Lyons and two or three men told
the county attorney that a remark
of the governor started the affair
Il know who started this" Judge
Zwick interviewed.
Mr.. Lyons is president of the
Lyons Petroleum company and a
director of the Guaranty State
bank
Il have no statement to make
only that l am county attorney of
Okmulgee county and Governor j.
B. A Robertson is governor of Ok
lahoma," Mr.. Hepburn said to a
reported when he emerged from a
conference with, the governor and
a moment before the encounter be-
tween the governor and Mr.. Lyo Is.
Governor Robertson was not in
jured in the encounter.
The governor, accompanied by
members of his party, later return
ed to his hotel.