The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-05-16
AN IMPORTANT ARREST.
Chesley Chambers Recognized by Weber as
the Train -RObber and Assassin.

Special to the indianapolis Journal.
BLOOMINGTON, May 15.-The express robbery
and murder of the night of April 20 took an un
expected change to-day, creating intense excite
ment Instead of Wright. the man arrested on
last Sunday, being recognized by Weber, the
wounded baggagemaster, as the robber and as
sassin, young man we'll known in the vicinity
of Smithville, and thought above suspicion, was
recognized by Weber, and pointed out in way
that leaves little doubt or question of his identi
ty. AS to personal appearance the man answers
the description to a nicely.
At 100 P. NJ the preliminary case of Wright
was called for hearing, the courtroom being
thronged with excited citizens. 1t was known to
but few that another and important clew had
been worked, and the surprise was great when
Colonel FrieGley, on behalf of the railroad and
express company, announced that the prosecu-
ton desired to dismiss the case against Wright,
and set him at liberty. In the meantime, Web
Der had identified Chesley Chambers as the man
who shot hSnA Chambers had been suspected for
several days. As pretext to bring him to a
meeting with Webber, and without Webber's
knowledge of any such arrangement, he had
been summoned as a witness. On arriving in
town he was told that Colonel Friedley desired
to see him in a room privately. Chambers
came, and Weber being there, they met face to
face. Chambers almost lost control Of his voice
when questioned by Colonel Friedley as to what
be knew about Wright thus giving Chambers no
opportunity to think he was suspicioned The
Colonel dismissed him, telling him to be sure to be
at the courtroom to testify against Wright. AS
soon as Chambers had left the room Weber was
unable to contain himself being violently
shaken by emotion He jerked Colonel Friedley's
sleeve, exclaiming: 'For Gods sake don't let
him 60; that's the man who shot me and Davis;
catch him, for Gods sake" warrant was
promptly made out for Chamberss arrest. He
had gone to the courthouse, and when the war
rant was served upon him, there he
was thunder-struck. He made no
reply, but was taken before the
mayor Immediately. In answer to the question,
"Are you guilty2' he answered in q voice hardly
audible II am innocent" He said he was not
ready for trial. The mayor then fixed his bail
at S. 000 much to the surprise of his friends and
neghbors. Suspicion first turned to Chambers
the morning after the robbery, when he went to
work for a neighbor. His hands were all bruised
inside and had been bleeding as if he had fallen
in getting of the train. There was q bad
cut on the left side of his face, and
the bruises are yet noticeable. In addition
to this he has taken deep interest in the case
from the first The man for whom he has been
working informed the officers of these circum
stances, which led to the subsequent arrest
Weber is very positive as to this being the
man.. After considerable trouble Chambers was
hailed by friends late this evening He has
been well regarded in the neighborhood He
was at one time stock dealer, but failed A
preliminary examination viii be held on Tues
day