The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-12-01
coUNrERFEIrERs CONVICTED.
TIE Remaining Members of the Hoachins
Gang Found GuiIty-WiIliam Red
mond's Interesting Evidence.

The trial OF the southern Indiana counterfeiters
concluded yesterday. The examination of Jesse
Houchius, which was continued from Wednes-
day, was resumed with the opening of court
in the morning and Major Gordon, the counsel
for the defendant, made brief statement, ad-
mltting that Houchins had bought and sold
counterfeit money, bat claimed that Killian, the
detective, was the only person that he had
ever made any "deap with Upon this
statement the Districts attorney moved, that
inasmuch the prisoners guilt had been ad-
mtted, the court should instruct the jury to re-
turn verdict accordingly. To this however
Major Gordon objected, eontending that the
prisoner was not guilty OF the charges as made
In the Indictment. The testimony of Detectives
Hobbs and Killian was then given, and william
Redmond, one OF the prisoners, examined
The evidence was simply overwhelming, and
without making any further effort at
defense. plea of guilty was entered.
Kedmonds story on the witness stand
was very interesting. His home was
in this city, but he had been working in Pike
county farm-hand, and last August en-
ployed by Jesse Houchins The counterfeiting
operations of the brothers were made known to
him, and he was compelled through fear. to join
with them. but he claims that he never passed
any of the spurious coin. When Columbus
Huuehins returned home after he had been in
Jail here he brought back to his brothers, Joe
and Jesse, q story to the effect that Dwight E.
Wheaton, whose acquaintance he had made in
jail, had IS 900 in counterfeit COIN together with
some genuine money, buried near Logansport, and
that. in consideration of the Houchins boys
furnishing him tools or dynamite with which TO
make a way for his escape from jail, he would
tell them where the buried treasure could be
found This story WAS told TO Redmond at the
house of Jesse Houchins, and he compelled
to write a letter to Wheaton in the presence of
the brothers, promising to furnish him With
saws dy Mantle. 1t was arranged that Red
mond should visit the Jail to Wheaton,
representing his name to be Jack Robin
son Knowing the Houchins boys to be des-
perate men Redmond was afraid to refuse to
obey their directions and consented TO act
the agent Instead of coming to indianapolis,
however, he went d)wn into Spencer county,
or, and where he was arrested. Satisfied that
the story of Redmond was true, the district at
torney had the case against him nollied,
and he was discharged from custody.
Tom Conner, the manufacturer of the
counterfeit and the leader of the gang,
pleaded guilty. His wife, who his
assistant in making the com. also entered
plea of guilty. Bruey Smithers William Grass
man and Joseph Perkins each pleaded guilty,
after their counsel had consulted With Detectives
Hobbs and Killian, aud learned the nature of
the evidence against them the prisoners admit
ting in every case that the testimony was wholly
true The case against Philip Tavlor WAS notlied,
as there was sufficient evidence to convict
him. Two or three of the witnesses examined
in the trial of Jesse Houchins testified that they
had received counterfeit money from the
Houohirs boys, knowing it, to he such, be-
cause they were afraid to refuse il, and one
man, saloon-keeper, swnre that he had been
compelled, under cover of q revolver, to receive
counterfeit coin from them