The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-12-14
THE DISMISSAL OF STERNS.
The Ex-Postman's Statement of the Alleged
Investigation of His Conduct.

Henry Stems, the letter carrier, who, after
Ave years faithful service, was so hastily dis
charged by Postmaster Jones, and upon testimo-
ny which would not obtain credit in any other
than Democratic postmaster's court surround
ed by bowling applicants for position, met a
Journal reporter yesterday. 'All want" said
Mr.. Sterns sis to have my story properly placed
before the public. This has not yet been done.
I had seen the street car driver upon whose tes
timouy was discharged, every day for weeks,
and rode up with him nearly every evening.
never, previous to this occasion, had a dozen
words with him. On the evening of Mr.. Hen
dricks's death, 1 was on the car, riding home.
There were only two or three men on the car be-
sides the driver and myself. We passengers all
talked about the death. One of the passengers
was a gentleman, heavy-set and, perhaps, sixty
five years old. He said ne was well acquainted
with Mr. Hendricks, and told of meeting him
on various occasions. He got off the car half
way between Seventh and Eighth streets-it was
and Illinois-street car, You know. That left no
one in the car but myself, the others having got
off the car before. It occurred to me to tell the
driver of the death. AS l was in hurry to jump
off the car, had to speak to him hurredly. The
car was passing my getting off place. so pulled
the door open and hurriedly said, Tom Hen
bricks is dead, and Immediately jumped off.
said nothing more-had no time to say more.
ION Sunday morning I was told that Mr..
Jones wanted to see me. went into his room.
Postmaster Jones was there, and Captain Dodd
John Jones and Frank Ash, the street car
driver. spoke to all of them. Nobody said
word in reply. From the appearance of the four
l suspected something was wrong, but had no
idea what it was. | asked the postmaster
What is it, Mr.. JoneSY
"'You were laughing and talking in a very
joyful way in the car, on your way home, the
evening of Mr.. Hendricks DEATH protested
l had done nothing of the kind; that my conduct
was not unusual to what it customarilv was
HE went on: The car-driver says you were
laughing and talking with those men all the way
home, and you waited till every body got off the
car, and then got up as if very much pleased at
something, and said to him that Tom Hendricks
was dead, and got off the car as quick as You
could Mr.. Jones asked me why got off the
car so quickly. l told him because | had al
ready passed my place of getting off. He want
ed to know why waited till every body got off
before telling the driver, and gave him the
same reason have given you.
''The cardriver spoke up, and began to abuse
me before the postmaster Captain Dodd and
John Jones' He called me liar, and asked why
didn't own up to what l was charged with.
told him if the passengers on the car that even
ing, particularly the old gentleman, would come
forward. l could prove that nothing was wrong
in my conduct on that occasion.
Postmaster Jones said: You needn't talk any
further was in the Office only two or three
minutes. but felt that was in trap. I went
out of the Office, and had not been out more than
minute before this envelope, addressed as you
see to me- and containing my written discharge.
was placed upon my desk. 1t was sealed up, and
do not believe that rapid penman, which
placed it there in so short time. My opinion is
that it was all prepared beforehand l am the
victim of conspiracy. 1t was Marshall Wood
who talked with the streetcar driver, and got
him to appear against me. Wood did this to
curry favor with Postmaster Jones. This is a
simple statement of fact and you see how un-
fairly | have been dealt with. They had only
the street-car drivers word against me, and
would listen to nothing offered in Defense"