The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1934-05-02

withheld. was sentenced to q two
year term and released last February,
His acquaintance with GUNNER VA
little more than passing. Last June
he told GUNNER he was well &C.
quainted with Q man who had boast
ed Of the Wick murder.
Gunner Immediately communicate
ed the Information to swenson and IN
investigation was begun. Last Octo-
Der James was arrested In Denver,
and extradited to Wyoming In con-
nection with the murder OF l.. J,
Schiller. While he was being held on
this charge, Swenson investigated
witnesses said to have been present
when James told Of the Wick muir
der. In Oklahoma he found some Of
the witnesses. The others were To-
Gated In Texas and Colorado.
Failed TO Register
In linking James with the Staying,
Bergesen said, the state Is proceeding
on the theory that he came to Car
tiers room, and stayed there for the
night without registering.
In the GUNNER trial, the defense
stressed that Farrell had not been
accounted for and that another man
at the hotel the night Of the muir
der, A. r. Mckenzie, was released
after little questioning. The entry Of
James in the case brings in . man
hitherto not connected With the
crime.
Gummer's attorney had appeared
before the pardon board on several
occasions, but his pleas were rejected
on the ground no new evidence was
offered. Swenson had worked con-
tinuously to find new evidence which
he hoped would reopen the Gunner
case and prove Gummer's innocence.
At Devils Lake Swenson said he
had left the case in the hands Of
Cass county authorities. He plans
however. to be in Fargo Thursday ia
confer with authorities there.
Tuesday Gunner faced an inter-
viewer and In positive statements ex-
pressed hope and confidence that the
arrest OF James would open prison
doors for him.
The young man, who at the age OF
81 started serving q life term. said
Il have always been confident that
the break would come some day
Sometimes I've been discouraged. but
haven't lost hope. / was positive
I'd get break"
A James Farrell had registered at
the hotel where Miss Wick was killed
and where GUNNER was night clerk
The prosecution branded Farrell q
myth" contending he never ex-
listed.
GUNNER said he retained good
recollection Of the man and believes
he could identify him.
Irvine Plant Secretary
At 80, GUNNER is secretary to the
superintendent Of the Irvine plant,
position he achieved as reward fol
his good behavior and show Of indus
try. Warden G. Patterson said Gum
mer's record has been good and that
he now is in a position Of trust.
In an optimistic mood that led him
to say he was positive" that arrest
Of James will clear him Of guilt, Gum.
nler quietly and clearly discussed TIKI
case.
He cited several angles Of the evi.
dence presented to the jury. Had thu
full facts been presented to the jury
he said, he would have been . fre<
man now.
He spoke Of the death Of his father
few months after his conviction
ascribing his death to the shock. o.
seeing his son 60 to prison.
GUNNER looks forward, more thar
anything else, he said, to seeing hi
77-year-old mother, living on q farm
at Mayville. Old age and illness, h
said. has made 1t impossible for hel
to come to see him in the last three
years. He said he had discouraged
her from making the trip to Bis.
marck, believing that she could mo-