The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1922-10-12
FEDERAE COURT OPENED HERE
TUESDAY; FOUR WEEKS SESSION

in this city at 10 o'clock Tuesday,
Judge Andrew Miller presiding. All
of the jurors, % in number, reported
except one and arrangements were
made to draw Is additional jurors.
The session promises to be long
one, perhaps three or four weeks, and
Judge Miller and Col. Hildreth, the
U. S. District attorney are determin-
ed to dispose of every civil and
criminal action, and there are hun
dreds of cases to come to trial.
The session started off in a very
efficient and businesslike manner.
The civil calendar was called and in
asmuch as Judge Englert of Valley
City opened term in district court
in this city the same day, federal
court was adjourned until 2 o'clock
that afternoon, in order to give the
attorneys an opportunity to be pres
ent when the district court calendar
was called at II.
The criminal cases were called
Tuesday afternoon. Col. Hildreth
stated that inasmuch as there is such
great amount of work ahead, it
would be impossible to set the GRIMM
al cases definitely, but it would be ex-
pected that the attorneys would be
ready when they are called. The fed
eral court is not in position to give
way to any actions that may be pend
ing in district court. Col. Hildreth
announced that the criminal cases
would be tried first and said that the
entire calendar would be cleaned.
Woman Pleads Guilty
Mrs. Minnie E. Thompson, former
ly postmistress at New Home, Stuts-
o0,1~fxy ov,tnMo1 v,1oo <E <p,,s1kv,
to embezzling postoffice funds, to the
amount Of $755.84. Indictment was
returned in 1916 and the woman is
now resident of Douglas, Ward
county. She admitted taking the
money to support herself, husband
and family Of seven little children.
Her husband knew nothing of it until
after she had taken the money she
said. At the time she took the mon
ey, the eldest child, was a son Is
years Of age. She said the office was
only fourth class, paying her $12 or
$l4 month, and she was in dire
straits at the time.
Judge Miller informed her that she
had committed serious offense, and
explained that unless the government
insisted on honesty among it's trusted
employees, the postoffice department
would soon cease to function. He
fined the woman the amount of money
she had taken and ordered judgment
rendered for the amount. Mrs.
Thompson stated that the only prop
erty owned by herself and husband
was a farm in Ward county mortgage
ed for $1,000, about all it is worth.
VIM. Stammeh Pleads Guilty
VIM. Stammen, a young farmer
from near Carpio, pleaded guilty to
having liquor in his possession. He
admitted that he had 81 quarts of
Pebbleford, quarts of Canadian
whiskey and gallon or two of moon
shine in his possession when officers
called at his place, but explained to
Judge Miller that it was for his
private use. He did not employ an
attorney and said he was willing to
plead guilty. ,,
Col. Hildreth, addressing the Judge,
asked for clemency for the young
man, stating that he had tried the
case in his own mind and rendered
a judgment Of guilty against himself,
saving the government the expense of
prosecuting the action. Stammen
was fined $500.
Col. Hildreth made it plain that
where those who violated the Vol
stead act, would get the limit, if it
is in his power, providing they go to
trial.
Judge Miller explained that having
liquor in one possession was perhaps
the least of the violations against the
Volstead act.
Mohall Bankers Arraigned
Jacob G. Peters, Frank w. Wiebe,
"o1tov w vi n Hr;A \
formerly connected with the Mohall
State Bank, now defunct, charged
with conspiracy with intentions 10
defraud, will be tried at the present
term of court. Their cases may 60 to
trial this week.. VIM. Furst, Min
neapolis attorney, is here represent
ing C. D. Griffeth of Minneapolis, for
merly president of the Mohall State
Bank, and E. r. Sinkler of Minot rep
resents the other three defendants,
who are also charged with using the
mails to defraud. .,
Atty. Furst at some length spoke
in behalf of his client Wednesday
morning, demurring to the indictment
on the grounds that the grand jury
had not been specific enough in its
indictment. The court overruled the
demurrer in the case of the four de-
PENDANTS, on the grounds that it is not
necessary in case of alleged overt
acts to set forth specific acts.
In the Indictment, it is alleged that
these men caused to be printed let
ters and circulars which were circu-
lated by use of the mails and as re-
suit Of which number of Minnesota
investors were influenced to part with
liberty bonds, notes, ETC., for certifi-
Gates on which they were never able
to realize anything. It is alleged that
accompanying the advertising matter
was statement Of the banks re-
sources, showing the bank to be in
good financial condition, whereas it
was practically ins0lvent.
Atty. Francis ]. Murphy of Minot
has been appointed by the federal
government in this case as Asst. U.
s. Attorney, to assist Col. Hildreth.