The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-01-19
THE LAST OF THE GANG.
Theodore Banta, kentucky
COuDterfeiter, Captured
Near Lebanon.
The Remnant OF a Gang that Operated
With Indiana Counterfeiters-
Story Of the Capture.

The arrest of Theodore Banta at Lebanon
on Saturday, and his return to Louisville,
Kyr by his oaptor. Deputy Marshall 7. A.
Johnson, will no doubt be followed By
speedy conviction and sentence, thus closing
drama which possesses some features of
more than passing interest. Banta is under
indictment in the Federal Court at Louis
vile for passing counterfeit gold and silver
coin, and is the last OF gang OF twelve who
infested Central Kentucky for several years,
being connected in their operations with the
Conner gang. of Southern Indiana, several of
whom have been sent to the penitentiary b.
the Federal Court in this city.
Theodore Banta is thirty-fve years of age
and the son of David Banta, an industrious
and well-to-do farmer residing near the little
town OF Nevada, Mercer County, Kentucky.
Notwithstanding he is so young in years he
Is said to be an adept in the art of showing
the queer" as also in Guiding arrest for,
though the Federal officers have been con-
stantly after him since May last, his capture
was not effected until Saturday, and then it
was contaminated only by strategy.
When seen by representative OF the SEN
tinel Banta made no denial of his guilt, but
expressed the intention OF placing himself
upon the mercy of the Court. He claimed
that he had been led by the arts of others
into the business OF passing counterfeit
money, and was really more sinned against
than SHINING. His csptor, however, tells a
very different story. He says that Bsnta
possessed all the advantages which wealth
and position could give; that he married
into one of the best families of Boyle
County, Kentucky, and by the coventure re-
cieved large sumo money in addition to
large farm. He sought the CON-
contracted HABITS OF like kind. He spent
his time in drinking and carousing, and
finally became member OF gang of coun-
terieiters who we're operating in Central
Kentucky, mostly engaged, however, in
passing the coin manufactured by the Conner
gang in this State. Another member OF the
gang. who is now serving four year ssn-
tence in the penitentiary, was Steve Cop
page, an ex postmaster OF Shelby City and
praying member of the church of that place.
When Coppage was arrested the little village
came near rising In arms, and every man,
woman and child therein was willing 10
stake their existence on his innocence. The
trial, however, developed the fact that Cap
rage was one of the chief offenders and his
conviction followed
During the time that Banta was eluding
arrest he travelled in several Western States,
but finally came home and took service as a
hired hand with Mrs. James Kersey five
miles UOm i1eDduOus Inc nusOdQQ u MIS-.
Kersey is nov confined in the Insane Asy-
lum. and Bania under the name OF William
Thompson, was running the farm. The Dap
uty Marshal, by some means, located his
man, and en- Friday went to Lebanon to Sc
cure his arrest. man by the name OF Cox
and another named Herod a ccom panied the
officer within quarter OF mile OF the ksr,
sey residence, when the Marsha got out and
instructed bis companions to 90 to the ho1se
ard make the pretense that Mr.. Kersey vas
quite i'll at the Asylum, and they had
been sent for her to attend him.
Upon. approaching the house Ranta
ran out the hack way, one of the men pur-
suing and calling upon him 10 stop. He
recognized the voice and returned to the
house, saying when asked Why he ran, that
he was trying to drive hog from the field.
The two men detained him in conversation
for q few moments, when the Marshal ar
rived and suddenly entered the room, COW
ering the counterfsiter with his pistol.
Banta Immediately surrendered, was hand
Cuffed, and was CD route for Louisville when
seen by the reporter.
Like a large number of criminals Bauta
regarded his present condition as giving
much more easiness of mind than that
which be had sustained to the law for the
past nine months He is undoubtedly Q
desperate character, and the officer con-
graduated himself that his arrest had been
effected without bl0odshed. Banta is also
the hero of q desperate shooting affair with
his cousin, Winter Brewer, and tive weeks
after the occurrence Brewers barn, with all
its contents was destroyed by an incen diary
fire. Brewer made no secret of his belief
that the loss was the result OF Banta's en-
nifty.
In the trial of Conner, in this city, it will
be remembered that he claimed his wife,
who was in Jail at the time, had nc part in
violating the law, except q knowledge of
the operations of the gang. Banta states,
however, that Mrs. Ctmer took counterfeit
gold coin to Boyle Comfy, Kentucky, and
that he received the same from her at the
house OF Elias Webb, who WAS a member of
the gang, and Is now in prison.