The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-03-03
GOVERNOR in FIGHT
Director of Defunct Bank At
tackS States Head.
Investigation of Banks De-
mise Causes Row.
ROBERTSON ARRIVES EARLY
Says He Can Supersede Prose-
cutOr in Probe.
County Attorney Intimates Gov
ernOr Implicated.
ROBERTSON ARRIVES EARLY

Okmulgee. March S.-Gov. ]. B. A.
Robertson was ttacked by James G.
Lyons. an oil man, as the governor
emerged from the private office of
County Attorney Hepburn this morn
ing after a conference between the
county attorney and the governor.
Governor Robertson, as he 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.
IT Am a Man." He Says,
ct am a man." Governor Robertson
said, and struck back at Mr.. Lyons.
They exchanged probably half a dozen
blows before ti.ey were separated.
Pandemonium broke loose in the
crowded corridors of the court house,
many fleeing expecting more serious
occurrences. That Mr.. Lyons struck
Governor Robertson the first blow
was the statement of w. H. Crume,
and Assistant Attorney General Will
liam H. Zwick.
Offered Hi, Testimony. =
The governor had arrived here early
today to present to the county attor-
ney a letter offering to appear in per-
son before the grand jury investigat-
ing the affairs of the defunct Bank
Of Commerce and testify.
who caused this disturbance"
shouted the county attorney.
James Lyons" was the reply from
a bystander.
Governor Not Injured.
Mr.. Hepburn started toward Lyons,
and two or three men told the county
attorney that remark of the governor
started the affair.
II know who started this" Judge
Zwick intervened.
Mr.. Lyons is president of the Lyons
Petroleum company and a director OF
the Guaranty State bank.
Governor Robertson was not injured
in the encounter. The governor, ac-
companied by members of his party
later returned to his hotel.
In a dramatic scene at the court
house this morning, County Attorney
James Hepburn had refused to con
sut to the request of Gov. j. B. A
Robertson that he be permitted to ap-
par before the district court grand
jury which is investigating the failure
of the Bank of Commerce.
The county attorney declared that
Governor Robertson could not super
sede him in the conduct of the prone
Governor Robertson replied that he
had the power to supersede the county
attorney.
ssDon't Care Who He Is.''
mo witness is going before that
grand Jury without my consent, l
don't give a d if he is the governor"
shouted Hepburn, pounding desk
with his clinched fist: Il am gong
to tell you just as told George Short
(attorney generaD to tell you the
other morning that no man is going to
supersede the county attorney OF TINS
county" Hepburn added You nave
not the power to supersede me, gov
you know better than that, Jim.
7 have the power to supersede you,
Governor Robertson replied
Governor Robertson unexpectedly
arrived here early today and declared
that he intended to go before the
grand jury. present waiver or I'M
munity and demand that he be heard
/ in the jury's inquiry into the failure
of the Bank of Commerce here last
November
Governor Implicated?
Recent statements from County At
torney Hepburn, in charge of the in
vestigation, intimated that the gov
ernor 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 upon the state"
County Attorney Hepburn has said
nothing further than that Governor
Robertson would be called If his tes-
timony was desired by the grand jury.
The governor was accompanied by his
secretary, Joe O'Brien, William Thigh
man and J. D. Lydick-
Tells Intentions in Letter.
Governor Robertson. after break
l fasting at a local hotel. sent the fol-
! lowing communication to County At
I torney Hepburn and the foreman OF
/ the jury:
Hon. James Hepburn, county attorney
/ Okmulgee county, Okmulgee fore
man Okmulgee county grand jury.
| "Gentlem en-: In the investigation
J of the affairs of the closed banks of
/ Okmulgee and my relations thereto,
nothing should be concealed from the
/ grand jury 1 have personal knowl-
edge of many most important facts not
/ known by that body and without
which it can hardly arrive at just con-
clusions.
Agrees to Prosecution.
'T am here personally offering to
now go before the grand jury to tes-
/ tify fully as to all matters properly
! before it 1 expressly waive all privi-
| Ieges and immunities from prosecu-
| ton and claims thereto on account of
so testifying and I agree that I may
| be as fully proceeded against as If
did not appear and TESTIFY
l IF this waiver is not broad enough
/ YOU may prepare and 1 will sign a
/ waiver in such lawful form as you
may desire. as the grand jury is ap-
parently about to adjourn. I must ask
YOU for your reply al this time
/ y b. A ROBERTSON, Governor
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