The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1875-11-18
THE WRECK OF A FORTUNE.
Devious Distillation Did It.
BANKRUPTCY OF THE BINGHAM
BROTHERS.


BROTHERS.
WE'LL HEELED HOUSE GOES DOWN IN THE
WHIRLPOOL OF CROOKED wHIsKY-THE
HISTORY OF THE RIsR AND FALL OF THE
FIRM.
Gradually, but surely, as certainly as
death, has the anaconda of the government
been closing It's folds around the whisky
ring in Indiana, and yesterday saw the
unconditional surrender of the principal
firm. Gordon b. Bingham and John w.
Bingham but a few days ago were wealthy
and powerful men, that Is, welding all the
power that wealth can give; courted, fiat
tered and trusted; to-day they stand dis
hono-ed and penniless, with the certainty
OF telon's cell in the near future before
Them either the doom DC OF ieiohs f or tine ;ns. ter
In the United States Court yester-
day all of their worldly goods were
confscated to the government, and public
proclamation made OF the fact. The Bing-
hams few months ago owned an extensive
distillery and a rectifying house at Evans
vile valued at $4,000, two distilleries at
Patoka, a small town near Evansville, val
ued at $4,000, one distillery at Hazleton,
another at Maxwell and still another in
Evansville. Now all are gone from them,
and they are both under bonds to answer
criminal charges in the sums OF SIC, 900 each.
THEIR DARK AND DEVIOUS DoINes.
Ten years ago the BiDghams became iden-
titled with the interests of Evansville as
whisky men, and have since that time been
men of undoubted business tact and un-
tagging energy. Growing rich rapidly,
much faster than would seem possible TO do
so legitimately, they had for some time been
suspected of illicit distilling, but nothing
definite could be found out against them,
until last winter, when one night their
Evansville distiliery was discovered In
operation in tbs absence OF the storekeeper.
For this offsnse the Binghams were arrested
and fined 81 900, and the absent store
keeper discharged. This warning did not
seem to have any other effect,on them than to
Undue them with feeling OF contempt for
the power of the law, for they operated in
violation OF its provisions on greater
SCALE After their arrest and con-
tenor of their way and nothing extraordi-
nary transplred until the telegraph orders
came last summer to seize the distilleries at
Evansville, st. Louis and Milwaukee. The
seizures made, the distilleries OF the
Binghams were thoroughly examined and
Sliding gates and conduits to lead on the
illicitly distilled liquor were found;
81 cret panels in partitions to ad-
NIT the unlawful ingress and
egress from bonded rooms were discovered;
duplicate stamps and uncancelled stamps,
the cancellation OF which had been certified
to, stamps certifing to ten gallons raised
to represent forty gallons, erssiDg huid,
and peculiar paste for afixing stamps In
which there was an oleaginous substance
which rendered the paste useless for stick
ing purposes, by which the stamps when
affixed would readily peel of, and could be
used again, was discovered, and many other
evidences OF fraud. Upon this and other
evidence the officers of the government
commenced prosecution with the result
told above.
THE EXTENT OF THEIR TRANSACTIONS.
The Binghams paid annually over $500,
900 in tax on whisky. and had the closest busi-
ness relations with the banks, whose credit
they used. Such men as William Heilman,
T. II. Jonald, d. ]. Mackey, proprietor of
the st. George Hotel; ii. ID. Allis, J. 7.
Lamb, James M. Allis and Capt. Triplett
are on their bond, and the ramificstions of
their business interests effected a
large number OF other persons
in Evansville, and powerful infiu.
ence was brought to bear to defeat the
exactions of justice. A compromise of the
case was offered, but refused, and the law is
unrelentingly taking its course. Besides
the indictments in Indiana, the Binghams
were indicted in st. Louis and plead guilty
! to the criminal prosecution. but they have
not been sentenced yet, the delay being
practically caused by a desire to await the
issue of their case in this state. Forfeiture OF
tax, on separate indictments, will
result In persistence in refusing to give up
their books, and in each case deeper will be
their bondsmen involved, and ultimately,
on the criminal prosecution, they will be
compelled 10 bring their books into court.
and the mute but powerful evidences OF their
guilt will plead against them.
PERSONNEL OF THE BINGHAM BROTHERS.
Gordon B. Bingham is rabid republican,
and has been considered as first among the
business men OF the state. He married into
an excellent family, and has an interesting
family. Previous to his marriage and re-
moval to Evansville he led varied life, be-
ing at one time resident of the Sand wich
Islands. John w. Bingham was a naj OF in
the Confederate army, and has
taken some action in politics.
A short time ago he married
handsome and well-connected lady
of Madison, this state; is about forty years
OF age, snd has been considered an active
and thorough business man. It is, after all,
sad to contemplate the utter downfall OF
such men, but no romantic sympathy
should be allowed to gush for men who,
with such business tact and energy, see
proper to divert and prostitute their intelli-
gence to acquiring money by fraud, when
penniless wight, found guilty of a trifilng
crime, would 60 TO the penitentiary
without sigh of sympathy, except,
perhaps, from the broken heart OF some
wife or starving child. Let the law take its
stern and unyielding course and have no
golden gates to swing open free upon the
rich, and creaking dungeon doors to close
upon the poor.
ABDUCTING HER OWN CHILD.