White Pine News

Never in the history of Ely has there been such an exodus in a single day as that which left yesterday for Carson City to attend the trial of Judge C. J. McFadden, which begins tomorrow before both houses of the state legislature.

Twenty-seven witnesses composed only the major part of those who left and the scene at the Ely depot when the train departed was never duplicated during the evacuation that followed the shutting down of the mines and smelter more than two years ago.

The platform was crowded and a lively scene it was. Quite a few people got up early in the morning to witness the sight, which was certain of being interesting, and to have a hand in the fun that such occasions are sure of bringing forth in impromptu fashion.

Those going under subpoenas as state witnesses were H. W. Edwards, C. A. Eddy, C. E. Handwright, D. C. McDonald, W. E. Meyers, Phil Al. Sets, Dave McLean, Thomas A. Bath, George N. Doyle, R. L. Tucker, George P. Annand, P. E. Woodward, H. C. Nicholson, W. S. Enslow, Fred D. Oldfield, John O. McKernan, O. G. Pates and Andrew Hexem. G. F. Boreman had gone on the Thursday train and Miss Pearl Baker reached Carson City Friday.

Defense witnesses were: E. C. Hair, James McDonough, Thomas E. Haley, Jack Blake, Carlisle Bradley, H. H. Stevenson and J. H. Gallagher.

The Nevada Northern railway had provided a special coach and at Cobre a special Pullman had been arranged by Assistant General Manager J. M. Fulton of the Southern Pacific, who was here during the week.

As the train was leaving a man came running and not knowing but he might be a belated witness the conductor pulled the cord and stopped. He proved to be a certain Mr. Brown, not a witness, but by his appearance at the instant he saved R. L. Tucker from getting left. The former county commissioner could hardly run, for gossip has it that he is pigeon-toed, but by the halting to wait for Mr. Brown, "Old Dan" Tucker was not too late to go to the trial.

James McDonough, who has become a local celebrity as a McFadden adherent and who had been subpoenaed as a witness for the Judge, made the train just in time by hiring a taxi. But that does not end the story, for a few hours after this telegram came tumbling into the sheriff's office:

"Go up to Jim McDonough's cabin and look for pocketbook. Wire me Reno. H. C. NICHOLSON."

This did not mean to wire the pocketbook to Reno, but merely a telegraphic transfer of the amount represented by the contents, for it came to light through this message that Mr. McDonough had forgotten to take any money with him in his haste, though he may have purchased his ticket previously, and is approaching the state capital penniless.

Deputy Sheriff Billy Fuller did as bidden, but when he reached the McDonough domicile he found everything there and in place except the purse and the alleged contents. The door was not locked but latched, a key and padlock were inside, and there was no sign of any burglary or porch climbing, but no money was to be found high or low. The tearful news had to be wired to the sheriff and the witness.

Another startling result of this remarkable exodus is the fact that it leaves Ely with but one attorney out of eight, and if it had not been for the fear of bad roads Charles A. Walker would have started in his new car for the southern country, which trip has been denied him all winter, and had that happened there would have been no protection in this regard whatsoever. B. L. Quayle went along to assist his partner, Charles S. Chandler, in the defense, and V. H. Vargas would have gone as a McFadden witness had he been here, but he is over in the Tippett country on a legal errand and was not served with a subpoena.

The courthouse yesterday was not like a graveyard exactly, but as far as the masculine gender could count it was, to say the least, short handed. The only male officials there were Assessor Miles and Deputy Treasurer George Baird. Deputy Sheriff Fuller and School Superintendent Smith.

Judge McFadden's chambers were closed, the county clerk's office was run by Mrs. Oldfield, Miss Louise Lewis in the auditor's office, Miss Muriel Herron in the district attorney's office and Mrs. Reilley had charge of the sheriff's office.

Speculation is in the air over many phases of the testimony and what allegations this and that one is supposed to prove. There is much discussion over what effect W. S. Elliott's absence may have and whether...