The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1923-07-12
faukegan Paper Alleges
Witness in Small Jury.
Probe Was Kept Here.
NTH SAYS LIE
Ike County States Attorney
Brands Entire Story as
a Myth.

zenosha has at last been dragged
the tangle which has arisen in
Se county, Illinois, subsequent to the
al there several months ago of Gov
Tor Len Small of that state and
Itch is now being featured by probe
to charges that members of the jury
IRE tempered with during the trial
In a most fantastic story published
Waukegan newspaper, Kenosha
IS been named as the city where Will
am Riley, star witness for the state
the present grand jury probe, was
'eted" at the order of officials in or
er to prevent him getting out Of their
,ach before the grand jury probe
arted. This account goes so far as
, say that Riley was furnished with
quor bought in Kenosha in order that
IS every within might be met.
The paper alleges that the story was
I'D by Ira Blackwell, who, it admits,
vulged the great secret at time
hen ne was hardly responsible, and
no. it is claimed, was named as guard
n to keep the star witness in tow
Branded as Lie.
Colonel Smith, the states attorney Of
axe county, when informed of the
ory. stated in no uncertain terms that
far as his alleged connection with
was concerned, it was an absolute
.lsehood. Col. Smith even used the
hort nasty word" as he vehemently
ated that he most certainly did not
untenanee any law violation in this
unity or any county in order to hold
witness. He maintained that the
ory was irresponsible and that evi-
nee brought before the grand jury
ould indicate as much.
It was also intimated that the alleged
xposep had been made merely to
.mper the work Of the state in the
esent grand jury probe into alleged
Irregularities at the time of the trial
the governor Of Illinois.
Treated Him Like a Prince
The story connecting Kenosha up
,th the case, as it appeared in "The
aukegan Daily Sum-" is reprinted
low:
"That William Riley, star witness
the state in the jury probe, was
Gated like a prince, that ne was
aided to and catered to like a child,
at his every whim was answered by
states attorneys office in Lake
unity, that he was petted and humor-
in every respect, is the admission
Ira Blackwell, former member of
dry squad in Lake county and now
cling an indictment on the charge of
urder in connection with the death
Joe Bielski some months ago in
orth Chicago.
BLACKWELL, while himself in some
nat irresponsible condition due to
oze, told a pair of Waukegan men
me inside dope relative to the exist
&c of Riley during the month the
ate's attorneys office had kept him
seclusion in order to have him ready
, act as q star witness in the Small
my probe case now under way in Lake
1unty.
Blackwell to Keep Riley.
"Riley lived part of the time at
lackwell's home and Blackwell was
larged with the responsibility of
eeping him within call and also pre-
ent anybody from talking to him.
"While there have been sensational
eaturesy of this whole litigation the
Jun today is able to disclose what is
,robahly the most sensational Of all
when it gives facts based upon the
tatements furnished by two local re-
liable men that States Attorney Smith
quart of booze from Waukegan over
INTO Wisconsin territory at Kenosha in
order to comply with request or de-
mand of this man Riley.
"And the question therefore arises:
Just what authority has the states at
torney's Office Of Lake county to send
Booze from Waukegan to Kenosha
Is it state privilege even though it
night be to comply with the request
Of a prospective witness for the state
Travels Around.
est so happened, according to the
SUNS informant, that during the course
of,his life Of seclusion Riley was taken
irst from one city to another in order
hat those interested in the defense
;ould not come in contact with him
and break up the story that he had
1een coached upon to tell before the
ury.
''In the course of his wanderings
,ver the state of Illinois he also took
rips into Wisconsin. 1t was while he
vas in Kenosha that the incident fur
ished to the Sun by the two Wauke
ran young men took place.
According to Blackwell, who told
he story to the Waukegan men when
hey got to Kenosha, Riley, the former
ialoonkeeper, insisted that he be given
| drink. Blackwell tried his best to
get some booze for him but could find
aone. He was able to get good beer in