Rensselaer Journal, Volume 12, Number 1, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 June 1902 — ARRAIGN JUDGES IN PIKE COUNTY [ARTICLE]

ARRAIGN JUDGES IN PIKE COUNTY

Citizens Resent Acquittal of Men Indicted on Murder Charges. JURIST DEFENDS THE BENCH Upholds His Colleague Who Presided at the Trials—Lawyer Accused of Spiriting Away Witnesses, Causing. Miscarriage of Justice. In the courtroom at Pittsfield, 111., where four recent murder trials have resulted unsatisfactorily to thepeople the farmers of Pike county and the residents of its small townsbrought their Judges up for an accounting. From all sections of thecounty, from the bottom lands of the* Illinois to those of the Mississippi, angry men gathered in Pittsfield and rebelled against the judiciary. At one time the peculiar scene was--presented of a circuit court judgepleading his own case and defending the actions of a colleague on thebench before the people who elected him. The men, who sat shirtsleeved throughout the afternoon in the hot courtroom threw caution aside on numerous occasions. Judges were accused of receiving money. To such influence was ascribed the acquittal of men accused of murder. Attorneys: were charged with spiriting away witnesses whose testimony it was alleged would have condemned their clients. Then to guarantee a satisfactory administration of justice in the future the Pike County Law and Order league was organized, with C. G. Winn of Griggsville president. A member is to be appointed from every township in the county. Neighbors Apply Boycott. While the people are taking thesesteps because of their belief that justice has not been done in their courts, the man whose acquittal so stirred public sentiment is living a free man, but an outcast, in Griggsville. He is Frank Newman, son of the wealthiest farmer in his township, a man reputed to be worth a quarter of a million dollars, owning some of the best land in the state. He is shunned by all his neighbors. He has no associates. The people avoid him, and the only recognition he receives is to receive repeated warnings and requests to leave the county. What will be the result of the matter is problematical. It is a miracle If there has not been enough litigation in the way of libel suits started by the proceedings to keep the Pike county courts busy for two years. Several stenographers kept a record of the statements made during the indignation meeting, and as the accused are all lawyers or judges it is the prediction of many that there will be “something doing.” Then in Griggsville the temper of the people is uncertain and their leaders are trying to suppress a tendency toward whitecapping. Appeal to lynch law was mentioned frequently during the session, but always in deprecation.