The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-11-05

went directly IN to the house, and, remem
bering the injunction to Killian and Houch
ins, upon reaching the door, instead OF rap
ping called out, Toni Oh. Tom' Gomez
came to the door and was greeted Familiarity
by Hobbs, well, Tom, old fellow, how
are you% Pretty we'll, but don t believe
l know YOU" answered Conner. "Oh, yes
you DO. Look little closer"
After closely scrutinizing the features OF
HOBBS Conner said, Il don't think | ever saw
you. What's your name"
"HouchinS. Don't you remember when I
came here with my brother last August OF
course you do"
"Ob, yes, said Conner, and he graspcd the
detective cordially by the hand, and, after
hearty shake, invited him to come in"
well how are the boys?" asked Conner
after they had been seated.
well, l have got bad news Tom' replied
Hobbs The boys were arrested yesterday.
! got away, but Pll give you my word, as
its not true that no one knows
even in what direction I have gone. | want
to stay here with you two or three days"
"All right - said Conner; you couldn't find
a safer place"
Hobbs related the circumstance of the ar
rest of "the boys" and expressed grave fears
that Joe was done for" When night came
they sat about the fireplace until a late hour
Conner relating to Hobbs the story of his life,
in which he told how he had often held men
up'' on the highways, of burglaries and rob-
berries he had committed, the amount of
counterfeiting he had done, together with
some of his experiences while he was in the
pententiary.
Hobbs observed that in the room where
they sat there was a double -barreled shot
gun hanging over the bed and a revolver
lying near the bed, and in questioning Conner
about his preparations for resisting capture
found that he had two other revovers, all
the weapons being IN good condition for use.
Hobbs took fancy to one of the largest re-
volvers and proposed to buy it, together with
$50 worth of gold coin, which Conner offered
to give him at an exceptionally good bargain.
When they came to retire for the night
Hobbs was placed in one of the rooms in the
second story. He slept well, but
during the night he imagined that he
heard the report of gun, and in an
his revolver in his hand. However, it seems
to have been fancicd noise.
When morning came, and after breakfast
was over, Conner began cOunterfeiting. His
work at the time consisted principally OF
putting the plating on the coin, and in his
labors he was assisted by his wife. While
Conner was aosent from the house for mo-
ment, and his wife busily engaged,
Hobbs took down the shotgun to examine it,
During the inspection he slyly took the caps
off, and after splitting in them, replaced
them. The next thing was to get
the morning passed the purchase proposed
the evening before was made. Shortly after
dinner Hobbs expressed an anxious desire to
see a paper, to know what it had to say
about the arrest OF the boys" Conner him.
self was anxious to learn much as possible
about the matter, and concluded to go to
Frenchtown to get paper. When Conner
started ont, Hobbs asked if there would be
any danger in his walking with him as TAR
as the woods, where he had concealed a
bottle of whisky before coming up to the
house the day before. Conner assented to
his proposal to accompany him to the
woods, but objected to his going further.
In addition to the bottle of whisky, Hobbs
had also left his officers badge and a pair of
handouts, and, as he drew the bottle from
cOncealment he slipped the hand-Oufs and
badge into his pocket
After Conner had gone as far as a mile,
Hobbs began following, and shadowed him
into the village, getting within distance of
a hundred yards from him. Just as Conner
entered the door OF the postoffice Hobbs
broke into run for the place. His hat was
blown from his head, but he did not
stop or slacken his speed until he
reached the postoifice. He rushed in and
covering Conner with a revolver, commanded,
Throw up your hands. You are under ar
rest" Conner obeyed.
Hobbs then handed him q pair of hand
cuffs, and, with the revolver still leveled as
himself. And this he did also.
After placing his prisoner under guard,
the detective returned to the counterfeiter's
house. Running up the road toward the
cabin he called out to Corners wife, For
Gods sake, bring me the gun, quick" and,
officers, the woman ran down
to the fence with the gun. As she handed
it to time, Hobbs leveled it at her and said,
Il am an officer. You are under arrest"
The house was then searched, and 81 300
in counterfeit gold and silver coin was found,
besides the mods and all the tools used for
the manufacture OF the spurious money.
-Four revolvers and a shotgun were also
captured. The woman was permitted to get
such clothing as she will probably need for Il
long absence from home, and leaving the
house under guard Hobbs then took his
prisoners to Milltown, where they were
placed on the L., +. IL st. L. train and
brought to this city.
AN INTERVIEW WITH CONFER.
Conner was interviewed by the Journal rep
resentative. He appeared to be taking his
arrest philosophically, and when asked about
the matter remarked, These government
fellows are too much for me-"
You do not deny that you are a counter
feiter?"
"Oh, TO; it would do no good to-"
"IIow long have you been counterfeiting?'
For some time. | never did any showing.
My business has always been manufacturing
and selling to the men who shove. l had q
big business"
What did you make?'
"Silver and gold, both. L made good
gold piece"
What will be your plea when placed on
trial?'
"Oh, l will plead guilty"
Conner is apparently about forty-five years
old and, in statue, is rather small man.
He has not the appearance of dangerous
man. but of cool, determined one. He is
criminal of the worst kind, and besides be-
ing skillful counterfeiter, has been burg
lar and a highwayman. He has manufac-
tured it is estimated between $4,000 and
SO 600 in counterfeit coin, which has been