The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1875-12-08
THE P.INGHAM BROTHERS.

n THE P.INGHAM BROTHERS. Fl
PHYSICIANS TESTIFY THAT BYRolS Is sUFFER-
mo FRoM MENTAL AND PHYSICAL PROsTRA-
IIoN-JoFfN DOES NOT APPEAR AND THEIR
BAH, Is pECLARED FoFE EITKD.
By 10 O'Clock yesterday morning q large
number OF spectators lad assembled in the
United States Circuit Court room, Judge
Gresham presiding, on account OF the ex-
pected disposition OF the CROOKED" whisky
cases. Judge Gresham inquired If the par
ties we're ready for trial, and Nelson 1rus-
Ter, Esq, district attorney, stated that the
government was ready to proceed. Col.
Denby and Cen. Shackleforc, representing
John w. Bingham and Gordon B. Bling
ham. announced that Gordon r. Bingham
was sick. that he had become insane, and
was utterly unable to be here, and stated
that they had the affidavit OF his physician
showing his condition and his ut
ter inability to be present. They also
stated that John w. bingham had been
delivered over to the authorities at st. Louis
by his bail and was now in custody of the
United Statos marshal for the eastern dis
trict OF Missouri, and produced the certifi-
cate of the clerk of the Circuit Court OF that
district to that effect. TbereuPon the dis
trict attorney insisted upon the forfeiture OF
the recOgnizance OF both the Binghams.
Hereupon a warm discussion arose between
Gen. Shacklef0fd and Col. DENLY, counsel
for the Ringhams, and District Attorney
Trusler and Gen. Thomas NJ. Brown, who
was assisting him in the prosecution OF the
cases. The counsel for the defense insisted
that no forfeiture ought to be taken, es-
pecialfy as to Gordon b. Bingham, and Gen.
Shscklsford indignantly inveighed
against a man who was lunatic
and not at all capable of making an aflida-
Wit in his own behalf for a continuance. In
support of his declaration the general read
the following from the physicians
CONCERNING Mr.. BYRON RINGEAM's' CoNDI.
TION=
The undersigned, a prscticlng physician
of Princeton. Gibson county, Ind. and in at
tendance in a professional capacity in oonnec-
ton with DR.. j. F. Howard, of Patoka, upon
Gordon b. Bingham, would state the follow
ing as his present condition: Mslarial fever
with continued nervous excitement has re-
suited in great, general and nervous pros
trstion. IL is my judgment that removal
from his home at this time would aggravate
his condition and endanger his life.
s. K. MUNFoRD, NJ. ID.
State OF Indiana, Gibson County, S.:
Personally appearing before me on this
ford, whom certify to be reputable ply
sician and surgeon OF Princeton, Indiana,
who, being by me duly sworn, says that the
foregoing statement is true AS he believes.
Witness my hand and official seal, No
vember 20, 1876.
w. p. WEzlBURNE, Clerk
Gibson County Circuit Court.
In consultation with Mr.. s. G.. Munford,
fclly concur in regard to the condition of G..
II. Bingham. JOHN f. HOWARD.
Personally appeared before me, Herman
Stermer, notary public in and for Gibson
county, Indiana, on the 18th day of Novem-
Der, 1876, DR.. John r. Howard, who m certify
diana, and who, being duly sworn, says that
the foregoing Is true as he verify believes.
HERMAN STKRMER,
Notary Public.
AN ARGUMENT ON TIE QUESTION.
The attorneys for the government con-
tended that the proper course was to take a
forfeiture, and that those considerations
pressed by the defendants counsel would
come up and their suficiency could be de-
termined In an action hereafter to be COM
menced on the forfeiture of the recogni-
rance. Among other things in the discus
sion, Col. DENLY stated that John w. Bing-
ham had been taken to st. Louis without
any connivanco upon the part of his coun-
sci, but against their advice. The
counsel for the state admitted that
Byron Bingham was without doubt
unfit to appear in court. One commended
that j. w. could have appeared had ne so
desired, but insisted that the bond of both
should be sacrificed. To the remark OF the
counsel for the defense that j. w. would
reach the CITY that evening the government
attorney remarked that he should come in
charge Of q government Official on q bench
warrant and not of his own volition. The
cocrt was then constrained to declare the
bonds Of the Brighams forfeited. They (the
bondsmen) were then formally adj
monished TO bring the bodies of the Ring
hams into court or forfeit their bonds.
The bodies were not produced in court up
to the hour OF adjournment, so 1t would
seem shat the bondsmen HAD been sailed
down In the amount of SIS, 000, which, how
ever, may be modified in measure. Then
the cases of Philip Everwine, Col. SinoDsoR,
John II. Philips, Harrison Miller, David M.
Lewis, George Hagsn, John f. Crisp,
christopher Coconours, VIM. Munfort and
f. Dennis Riley, were called on the charges of
completely in defrauding the government in
the collection of revenues, aud OF receiving
brides therefor. All OF them had previously
plead not guilty. and all withdrew their
pleas and
ENTERED PLEAS OF GUILTY,
throwing themselves on the mercy of the
court. This the most OF them did under the
advice of counsel Those who had no coun-
sci followed those who had and thus saved
their fees. The court took their pleas under
sdvisement and said he would give
counsel on either side an opportunity
of making q statement in behalf of their
respective interests. These statements will
probably be submitted to-day, and then,
after due elaboration, the court will pro-
nounee sentence. The penalty will not be
lburdenaome but rather inconvenient. From
three months to year will probably be the
extent of their punishment, hardly time
enough to learn a trade at which they
can earn livelihood without rob-
bing the administration of the necessaries
of life. The mon as they appeared before
the bar of the United States Court could
have been photographed and passed off on
cred slous public Grants third term
cabinet. They were all permitted to enjoy
their freedom on bail until sentence shall