The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-03-10
FOR FOURTEEN YEARS.
The Criminal Court Officers Find a Tough
Customer in Michael Mclaughlin.

Michael Mclaughlin is about twenty three
years old, and If the spirit Of the desperate in
him, as manifested yesterday, develops with
penitentiary the best thing that can happen to
him and society will be watery grave in Lake
Michigan. He has served five years in the Joliet
prison, course Of punishment that fell 10 his
way after he had been set free from the Plain
field reformatory in this State About the 4th
OF last month Mclaughlin, early In the evening,
smashed the window of a small jewel-y store
Massachusetts, avenue, and stole two gold
watch-cases. He dropped one not far
from the window, and slowed the
other. wrapped in rags. in cast
off stove pipe in the rear Of OHara & Ken
nedy's restaurant on West Washington street.
Mclaughlin told chance acquaintance about
The arrest of Mclaughlin followed, and his trial
occurred before Judge Norton yesterday.
The prisoner is a muscular rascal with coun-
tenance from which every expression but that
of deviltry has fled. He went on the witness
stand to make statement, which he inter-
spersed with thieves slang and told with the air
of b'hoy. AS ne went on with his narrative
he caught sight Of the man who informed the po-
lice leaning over the outer railing. Eyer the
Teller" he continued, directing his attention to
got me into this Yer said there would be NO
danger. did not want to CO. yer know, but yer
knew the lay and put me on to it. While yer
were watching did the smashing. I am here
to take my medicine while yer to get free"
After this choice testimony was in, Prosecutor
Harding addressed the jury, and made his
speech very severe as to Mr.. McLaughlns
value to society, and spoke Of his face as dis
grace to the rogues' gallery. He appealed
strongly for long sentence, and az this struck
the prisoners ear he turned to his attorney.
John Hoffman, and said: ..I1l throw this spit
toon at that fellows head. If he don't STOP
s'If you do anything of that kind" replied the
attorney, somebody will be shot 1t is just as
likely I'll be hit as you"
Bailiff Carleton, Jailer Long, Superintendent
of Police Lang, and others were in readiness for
an outbreak from Mclaughlin. Had he made a
movement to carry out his threat the room
would have been lively with shots. The
prisoner throughout the trial kept mutt
had a chance. He seemed to have the heartiest
hatred for the whole proceeding and everyone
engaged in the prosecution. The jury went ont
and was gone oEiy- twenty minutes when it
brought in verdict Of guilty of burglary, with
a sentence Of fourteen years. Judge Norton did
not think it worth while to waste time on such q
man. and he at once passed sentence upon him.
When he pronounced the customary penalty of
Acknowledgement during the term of imprson-
ment, Mclaughlin said, What do care for
your DISTINGUISHING me. / am not candidate
for Office"
The bailiff took Mclaughlin in charge, and as
the two passed the prosecuting attorney on their
way out of the courtroom the prisoner applied
an obscene epithet to that officer. Tonight Nc
Laughlin will be in the Michigan City peniten
tiary for fourteen-years' stay.