The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-09-09
THE L., N. A.. 8 G. EXPRESS ROBBERY.
Both Sides Ready for Trial in the Case of
Chesley Chambers.
Louisville Commercial.


Louisville Commercial.
A hard fight will be made on both sides in the
case of Chesley Chambers accused of assaulting
and robbng the express messenger and the bag
gageman on the L., n A. 81 G. railway on the
18th of last April at Harrodsburg. a small sta
ton short distance this side of Bloomington,
Ind Court begins in Monroe county. in which
Bloomington is situated, to-day. and the first act
of the grand jury will be to return an Indictment
against Chambers. Two weeks from to-day the
trial will commence, and will certainly last q
week. Eminent counsel have been employed in
both the prosecution and the defense
The Hon. Joseph E. Henley, prosecuting
attorney of the county of Monroe, who repre-
sents the State; Col. George W. Friedley, attor-
ney for the road; Judge E. K. Millen, of
Bloomington. and General Easley, of Chicago,
attorney for the American Express Company,
will prosecute, and the Hon. Jason Brown of
Seymour, and East & East, and Buskirk g.
Duncan, of Bloomington, will defend The case
will be heard before Judge r. w. Miers
Colonel Friedley and Mr.. Henley, who were in
Louisville last Week to inquire into the condition
of young George K. Davis the wounded express
messenger, and to look after testimony, returned
present condition of Mr.. Davis will not allow his
taking part in a. trial of Chambers
in the of the assault on him.
His physicians are fearful that the
ordeal of giving testimony, together with the
usual severe cross examination, may result
dlsastrousy to him in his condition. They
further refuse to permit any to talk TO him
on the subject and he himself evinces no dis
position to open the matter. For this reason
the attorneys who came here to hear his state
ment OF the occurrence went away without it, to
avoid the danger that the experience as a witness
might bring on Davis. Chambers will be first
tried on the charge of shooting Webber, the
oaggageman, who was only slightly hurt Three
indictments will be found against Cham bers-
one for shooting Davis another for shooting
Weber, and the third for robbery.
The attorneys for the prosecution say that
they are certainly after the right man, and that
all the rumors that Chambers acouittal and
complete exoneration will be brought about by
testimony which will throw the crime on another
are wild decisions The insinuations that the
roober had confederate in the person of an
attache of the road are vigorously denounced by
those best acquainted with the case.
Chamberss defense will be to prove an alihi.
he also has man who was on the train on the
night that the robbery was committed and who
Will say that he had good look at the man who
carried the club, and that it was not Chambers
This man is Pink" Moore, at that time a resi-
dent of Monroe county, but since removed to
Marshall, I'LL This witness was some time ago
talking to gentleman whom he thought was
stranger to the case but who was, in fact, en-
ployed in it, and to him he gave it out that he
really believed that the robber was none other
than the notorious Frank James.
Since his arrest the defendant has been in
Bloomington more than his habit in other
hands with everybody. after the manner of
candidate seeking official preferment. His
church Is standing by him. and its pastor, Elder
Treat will assist the lawyers in the defense
However, the prosecution say that proof
will be on hand to show that Chambers has
been guilty of forgery that short time before
the commission of the express robbery he forged
his uncle's name to note for 5000 One thing
charged against Chambers cannot be sustained,
and that is that he was seen in the neighborhood
OF Harrodsburg on the night of the robbery with
club in bis hand. There is no one found who
saw him there that evening.
Chambers is about twenty years of age and
has very fair compexion-in fact, his mus
tache looks much like that of an albino. 1t is
said he has always been regarded as a schemer.
Bud" Wright who was first arrested and taken
from Terre Haute to Bloomington, charged with
the crime, and there acquitted as soon as Web
Der saw him, has announced that he will, at the
coming term of court of Monroe county, enter
suit against the American Express Company for
$4,000 for false imprisonment.
The Hon. Jason Brown, senior counsel for the
defense, is pronounced by Senator Voorhees, to
be about the best criminal lawyer in the State,
and he is certain to make hard fight for his
client, as the friends of Chambers have raised
large purse for his defense. All parties an
Eounce that they are ready for trial, and post
ponement will not therefore occur