|
|
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
Vernal Express 05.04.1904
FIGHTING FOR "BUB" MEEKS
Attorneys and Cashier Think He Was Not in the Montpelier Bank Robbery
The case of Henry Meeks who was sent to the penitentiary for thirty-five years on the charge of having aided in robbing the bank at Montpelier on August 13, 1896 occupied the attention of the state board of pardons Monday for several hours. J.H. Wallis (?) of Paris appeared on behalf of Meeks. Congressman T.L. Glenn, who assisted in defending Meeks, was also present and made some statement on behalf of the convict. Mr. Wallis in a written statement presented to the board which he supplemented by oral statements and that the cashier of the bank, G.C. Gray, who was closest to the robber supposed to have been Meeks had testified that the man was not over five feet high and would not weigh to exceed 155 pounds, while Meeks is six feet, two inches in height and weighs over 200. Gray would not on the trial make positive identification. (unintelligible)
Another fact to be given great weight in connection with McIntosh's testimony is this. The trial of the case did not take place until nearly 14 months after the crime was committed. Meeks not long arrested until a year afterward, although Meeks was in Wyoming and Utah all the time. The testimony for the defense showed that Meeks was in Vernal Uintah county, Utah on the 12th of August 1896, the day before the robbery took place. Vernal is in the neighborhood of 250 miles from Montpelier and it was impossible for Meeks to have been in Montpelier less than 24 hours afterwards. On this 12th day of August, 1896 Meeks at Vernal traded a (unintelligible) horse to a man named George H. Wilson--a man of standing in the community there--for a (unintelligible) mare, and bills of sale passed between Meeks and Wilson for those animals witnessed by Del Colton and Charles Shannon, both of whom, Wilson and Colton, testified to these facts at the trial.
At the time the bank was robbed the whole community was thrown into great excitement. Heavy rewards were offered both by Bear Lake county in which the crime was committed and also by the guarantee companies in which the bank was insured. The officers worked hard for the reward, and Meeks was arrested in the July following. At his preliminary, the sheriff's brother, Sam J. Rich, engaged with Meeks to defend him. The treatment he received from this man was not honorable to say the least. He neglected his clients interests, after first getting from the man all he had, and paid no attention to the details connected with the trial of his cause. At the time he (unintelligible) he client by writing out subpoenas for "Butch" Cassidy, Matt Warner and others when it was known that such outlaws could not be (unintelligible). Letters that Meeks wanted registered and sent to parties whom he wanted as witnesses were held back until just as the case opened. Meeks had wanted these people subpoenaed but his attorney told him he couldn't have time and he (unintelligible) write to them as the judge would go ahead with the trial without them. So incensed was Meeks over this treatment that he would not allow Rich to further conduct the case, and the court appointed L. Glenn and R.S. Spence as his attorneys. The case was then in progress and the prisoner's plea of not guilty had been taken. Glenn and Spence asked for time to consult their client and arrange the evidence. But the court would not allow consent saying, "Gentlemen, if you don't wish to try this case, I'll remove you and appoint someone else." The attorney's knew none of these circumstances herein related concerning Meeks' treatment from his attorney until after the trial, sentence and conviction, or the whole matter would have been expressed before court.
This statement is fortified by others. Mr. Gray says there is a doubt as to Meeks guilt and that he would be glad to see him pardoned. Detective Jones of the Short Line says positively he is satisfied he is innocent. Basing his ascertain on a full investigation of the case. Alfred Bridge, prosecuting attorney of Bear Lake county, favors a commutation at least, saying ten to twelve years would have been ample punishment in any event. None of the jurors who tried Meeks ask clemency for him.
The board to the case under advisement--Statement
Mr. Rich will probably take steps to disprove the allegation above set forth, as many though he attended to the case as long as Meeks desired him to.
|
