The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-11-28
TRIAL OF THE ANARCHISTS
One Of Their Number Tells 0fthe Plot to
Blow Up Homes of Chicago Judges.
TheWitnesS Gives His Testimony in Straight
forward Manner, Detailing the Expert
ments Made with the Bombs.

CHICAGO, NOV. -l-1uo lrlal d JONI hfO1eh,
the Anarchist. for alleged participation in a
dynamite plot. began this morning in Judge
Collins's court, q jury having been secured last
evening. There was a large crowd IN tie court
room, but the people were mostly from the
southwestern portion of the city, the Bohemian
district. Hropek. the defendant, who is q mild
looking man, with nothing in his appearance
suggesting the desperate dynsmiter, was as calm
and as cheerful looking as II he had never plot
ted to harm ahy. States Attorney Lougenecker,
made a brief opening address for the prosecu-
ton. He explained why Ssyic, Chapek aud
Chleboun, the other conspirstors. were not on
trial, saying that they had been granted separate
trials, and that Chleboun would testify against
his comrades. 1t would be shown, he said. that
three Of the men deliberately sat down and dis
eussed q plan to blow up the homes OF Judges
Gary and Grinnell. and Inspector Bonfsld, aud
that immense quantities of dynamite were found
IN their possession. He went on to state that
Hronek had photographs of the intended victims
and that the conspirators went TO the homes or
the officials in order to become acquainted with
the surroundings.
VI. Goldzier, for the defense. first assailed the
new dynamite law. under which Hronek was in
dicted. IL was passed. he said. in the heat OF
passion, when the people of the State were in
famed by the terrible event Of Nay 4, 1886.
Heronekis defense, Mr.. Goldzier said, would be
simple. After the Haymarket riot many An
archists, knowing their guilt, fed the city.
Among these was q man named Kara6at, about
whom little ia known, except that he was en-
ployed in the rolling-mill. Kara6at called at
Hronek's house and left a box containing dyna-
mite, which. he said, he would call for the next
day. He never called. but left the city, and
Hronsk was compelled to keep the stuff.
Judge Longenecker called out, Frank Chile
boun." ana a tall. well-built Bohemian. with q
round aud not a bad-looking face. stepped for
ward from the back part OF the courtroom. DE
looked frightened as he mounted TO the witness
stand. AS he raised his hand to be sworn by an
interpreter, Mr.. Goldzier objected and asked
that he be examined as to whether or not no
had any regard for an oGth. The court directed
the attorney for the defense to question him,
and Dir. Goldzier asked:
do you bslieve in the existence Of a Godf'
YES
'Siuce whenp
'SInce the last month"
"Do you believe in q future existeneep
States Attorney Longsnecker objected to the
question. The witness was allowed TO answer,
aud he said: "Yes." in a hesitating way.
'Is il not a fact" asked Mr.. Goldzier, that,
Until u mO0IQ ago. you udUlIudlly niC0 ~
existence Of a God or q future stateT"
This question was objected to oy the court
ASK him" said Judge Collens, IF be believes
God will punish him either here or hereafter, IL
he swears falsely"
Mr.. Goldzier put the question, and Chleboun
said: 81 have never studied the matter seri-
ously, but | know the law will punish me-"
'Do you believe that you will be punished in
the future worlds"
Il have never given the matter much thought,
and eann0t anaWar tha 0uagtiOfLH
Mr.. Goldzier protested that the witness had
not shown his right to testify under oath, but
the court ovsrruled him.
Chleboun began his testimony. and both the
States attorney and the interpreter found him a
dificu,t witness. He seemed willing enough to
tell all he knew, but did not appear to be vary
bright de said he was born in Bohemia and
came to this country six years ago. Witness
testIfsi a. to the circumstances under which
he hrst met the prisoner. 1t was at Anarchist
Turks house. Aftsrward he met Chapek and
he became intimate with both of them He was
a frequent visitor at Hronek's house. The
last Sunday in May Hronek told witness
how he had q great scheme to burn up a
lumberyard, bat it had been discovered. He
had also missed a chance to kill Boufeld, and
was afraid he would never have another. They
then went to Hronex's wood-shed, and Hronek
showed him about ten bombs-some were of
iron and others were OF tin. None were loaded,
but Hronek sail that be could get some dyna-
mite from Rudolph Sevic, one OF the accused,
y III ~ I'LL GULL v iAClco
Dns and three-quarter inches in diameter, and
containing q smaller can IN the center, was pro-
.duced. IL was covered with a pretty paper
picture. ara was labeled Cure for Rheuma-
fism-" Chleboun said that some OF the bombs
we're like this. and then three iron gas-pipe
bombs were produced and identified as being
ike others shown by Hronek.
June 3" continued Chleboun. 81 met Hronek
aud we went 10 Chapek's house. There We met
q man named Nikolanda, and Hronek pulled out
y bomb. Nikolanda did not want him to be so
public" From there they went to Riverside,
and on the road between that place and Clyde
tried to test the bomb. Hronsk placed it under
a bridge and. attaching n fuse. lighted 1t. They
waited twenty-five minutes, but Hronek had
evidently twisted the fuse in too tight and it did
not explode. Witness did not see the rest of
the experim 1nt Chleboun told OF a number OF
other meetings with Hronek at the latters
house and In various saloons. On one occasion
Hronek showed him q lot of dynamite bombs
and eight sticks of dynamite, bearing the trade
mark of the Etna Powder Company. Inspector
Bonheld unwrapped q big package and
displayed the articles. which Chlebcun iden-
rIfled when tho States attorney held
them up before him. "Hrorek." said the wit
Eess, wanted TO kill Bonfeld. He said he must
have revenge on Bonfeld. Gary and Grinnell
for the death Of the Anarchists. Once / met
him on Throop street, near the school. between
Nineteenth and Twentieth streets, and he said be
would kill Bonield. He said the Bohemian An
archists were no good. and they would be salts
FED If they could get free beer for 3 year"
Chleboun then described a trip which Hronek,
Chapek and himself had made TO Aldine square,
IN order to learn the location and surroundings
of Judge Grinnelrs house, and continued: ION
the way back Hroeek talked about q plan to
blow Up Judge Grinnelfs house. He said if the
Judge could not be killed any other way, he
would co into the courtroom and throw q bomb
at him, and. il the police interfered, hs would
have a bomb for them. He said he
had n splendid opportunity to kill Bonfe!d
once, ard was sorry that he was not
prepared at the time to do it Then there was
an argument between Chapek and Hronek.
Hronek wanted TO kill Grinneil first, but Chapek
was in favor Of making Bonfeld the first vic
tim Hronek said he wanted to take all the
responsibility Of the killing himself, and after
he was hung he wanted Chapek and me to avenee
his death. He said that when the President
was here he would have thrown a bomb under
his carriage IL Schneider had not prevented
him. Chleboun then related severai other con-
versations of the same character. On ono oc-
casion Hronek, he said, showed him a Dian OF
the streets aud alleys in the neighborhood OF
Judge GrInnells house. At another time he was
shown photographs of Grinnell, Gary and Bon
held which Hronsk and Sevic had.
Judge LonGeneeker asked the witness il he
ever told anybody those things previous to his
arrest. when he confessed to Inspector Bonfeld.
he said hs had, but had promised the man on
his honor not 70 tell. Ii took the States at
torney some time II make him understand that
he must tell, but he finally said it was a friend
Of his named Fischer. Fischer went TO Inspector
Bonield AID revealed the plot.
Chleboun admitted reluctantly that he was an
Anarchist, aud had drilled with the Lehr und