The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-11-30
PARDON OF A CONSPIRATOR.
]. A. Coleman, a Man with a Strange
History, Released from Prison.
Story of the Downfall of Young Man of
High Standing and Brilliant Prospects
Voluntary Return to Conyict's Life.

Governor Gray yesterday pardoned Julius A.
Coleman, who was sentenced to the Jefferson
vile penitentiary for seven years from Wander
burg county, in September, 1881. cSarge
of conspiripg with other parties to deirf d
life insurance company. The crime Of which he
was convicted was of sensational character
the story of which is familiar to many in Indi-
and The people of Evansville have probably
never been startled more than they were one
morning in 1879, when the Journal of that city
presented to them an account of Coleman's con-
spiracy to defraud an Eastern insurance COM
pany of $50, 600. AT that time he was a rising
young lawyer, of high standing, unsupported of
any wrong tendencies, and mis- life seemed full
of brilliant promise. He began specializing
in various ways, but his investments
was ambitious to acquire and his
greed for wealth led him to dishonest
schemng He induced half-witted yourg man,
named Lucas, to consent to play the principal
part in the conspiracy that caused his downfall.
Insurance on the life of Lucas, to the amount OF
$4,000, was procured by Coleman and the
young man was provided with a rubber rain
proof coat, which he was convinced a life
preseryer, and was promised liberal sum If he
would jump from steamboat ON the Ohio riv-
err, midway between Evansville and Henderson,
so that the report could be given out
that he had fallen overheard and
drowned. third party to the conspiracy was
sent with Lucas, to see that he carried out his
part OK the programme and to testify to the
drowning. 1t has always been supposed that it
was the purpose of the conspirators to have a
genuine drowning. However. at the last mo-
ment. Lucas weakened. and, instead of jumping
overheard, found comfortable concealment in a
coal barge in tow of the steamer, after which it
was reported that he had been drowned. Two
three days afterward the suspicious city ed
itor of the Evansville Journal traced Lucas to
vacant house owned by Coleman, and frightened
from him the story of the conspiracy.
Another chapter of Coleman's history, quite as
remarkable the story of his crime, relates to
his imprisonment In 1883 he escaped from the
Jeffersonville penitentiary and eluGed pursuit
until three months ago, when, after having trav-
eled from Canada to Mexico, and managing a
farm during part of the time with pecuniary
success, he walked into the Governors office
and introduced himself as Julius Cole
man, the escaped convict. He told
the Governor that he had grown weary of
fugitive's life, and had determined to return to
prison to serve out the remainder OF his term so
that he could return to his wife and live with
out fear of molestation from officers of the law.
He fulfilled his promise and unaccompaned by
guard, returned that evening to Jacksonville,
where he resumed the life of a convict to serve
four years more of the term for which
he was sentenced. How deeply the
Governor was impressed by the mans converse
ton and conduct is evidenced by the pardon
granted yesterday.
The Governor received information from the
judge who tried Coleman that there was strong
and voluminous evidence of his unsouudness of
mind at the time of the trial. and since further
evidences of insanity have developed. The par
don was recommended by many leading citizens
of Evansville.