The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-01-25
HELPING OUT THE DEFENSE
A Mass of Character Evidence Presented
in the Election Conspiracy Trial.
Coy's Ignorance Concerning the Changed Tai
ly-Sheets and How the Alterations We're
Made-A Searching Gross Examination.

/ trial. yesterday, used the greater part of the
morning in introducing evidence as to their repu-
| tation for honesty and uprightness. The pres
ence of the witnesses waiting to be called largely
| increased the crowd of spectators. Political as
| sociates Of Coy and others were the most eager
| to tell all they knew while those who knew them
only socially, or in chance business transactions
| conteured themselves with saying that the de-
| PENDANTS regulations were good Some empha-
| sized the adjective and others pronounced it in
| a low or Indifferent tone. The questions were
held to the rigid rules governing evidence of this
sort. but occasionally an opportunity would be
offered for a somewhat close cross examination.
Witnesses had to speak of how the neighbors
and friends OF the defendants regarded them. al
though several were ready to give personal
opinions IN order to put the characters of the
persons on trial in the best possible light. Her.
man Lieber. the art dealer, said Stephen }.
| Matters reputation for honesty and integrity
was good. Cross examined, the witness consid-
cred this to mean he was an upright man, and
honest in his business dealings. He was some
what acquainted with the general opinion re-
garding the defendant. He never heard any
thing wrong about him.
DR.. L. Ell. Comstock, who managed the Even
ing Democrat during the last municipal cam
paign, testified to an acquaintance of two
years and a half with Simeon Coy. Judge Clay
poo! said to the court that unless the questions
asked witness would allow going into inquiry
relative to moral reputation he would object.
The court, however, ruled otherwise, unless
there should be such inquiry by defendants
attorneys as to qualify cross-examination on
that line. Witness regarded the business repu-
tation Of Coy as good. Cross-examned, he said
he had dealings with him in business and po-
litical way. DR.. Comstock also pronounced
Metcalfs reputation good.
Charles Feller, jeweler, also said Coy's repu-
tation was good. In answer to questions on
REORGANIZATION it was shown that the de-
PENDANT bought jewelry from him, and that wit
ness, whenever he wanted a glass Of beer, got it
often at Coy's saloon. He never heard any
thing wrong said of him except in the news
papers.
Charles E. Haugh. of the Sentinel Printing
Company. testified that Coy's reputation was
good. Stephen j. Crane, ieweler; Michael J.
Burns, councilman. and employe OF the Citi
zens' Street Railway Company. and Charles Lin
coin gave Coy like support. The latter said he
meant as long as q man behaved himself
he had a good reputation. He had
had no business with Coy except
to 60 into his saloon and take
drink. This evidence was continued by Joseph
Stall, William Schmidt. Thomas Sanders.
furniture dealer. and Henry Laut. alder
man. The latter witness thought Coys reputa-
ton pretty good" Henry Habeney, box
a personal friend of Coy who always found him
straight and good, but had little business trans
action with him. gave Coy an excellent reputa-
ton To District Attorney SelarS the deputy
sheriff said that he knew execution was in
the hands of the sheriff against Coy for failure
to pay forfeited bond. John Fulz always
found Coy "a man of truth, honor and excellent
character" He never had any business deal
ings with him, but often went into his saloon
and got glass of beer or cigar. While witness
was member of Council he went into the en-
ploy of the street-ral.way company.
Gen. Fred Knefler considered the reputation
of Mattler Beck and Span to be good. Colonel
ID. F. Whitcomb had good word for DR.. Met
calf and Mr.. Span. John n. Bowman testified
for Coy; Isaac King, Sheriff, for Coy and Span,
Daniel Foley for Coy. 81. P. WATSON. dry goods
merchant, for Sullivan. whom he has known
three years. Michael OConnor for Mattler, AL
bert Gall for the same defendant as well as for
Span and Coy. Daniel Moninger for Mattler
and Sullivan as far as he knew, Wesley Davis
for Coy and Thomas Madden also for Coy, whom
he styled ''Simmie" He had political dealings
with him, but nothing in business way, as
their lines of trade were different, the witness
being lounge manufacturer and the defendant
a saloon-keeper. Other character witnesses
were W. FL. Messenger, furniture dealer, z. j.
Kelleher, halter, who supported Reardon and
Coy; I. J. Cullen, cashier at the Grand Hotel gave
evidence for Reardon and Coy Thomas Taggart.
county auditor spoke for Coy and Sullivan, and
James Doherty, tobacco-dealer. appeared Tor
Reardon and Coy. This class of evidence con-
tinued in that of Charles Woods. druggist, for
DR.. Metcalf, and VIM. K. Sproule, deputy co1n-
ty clerk, who gave Coy good standing. as did
Carl Miller. wall paper-dealer George r.
Pfngst. proprietor of the Grand Hotel. spoke
for Sullivan, but said he knew Coy only slightly.
Both have been patrons of his house. Gen. r.
S. Foster, ex- United States Marshal, said Mat
tiers reputation good. Charles w. Cor
such, formerly of the Eighteenth ward, never
hon I'd IF CaxyS at bei
S. f. carp, secretary of the City Board of
Health, testified for Coy and Sullivan. Charles
E. Reese, of Holweg & Reese, spoke for Coy
after five-years acquaintance. Henry Frank,
furniture manufacturer; J. b. Haywood, agrl-
cultural machine agent; W. B. Burford. book
and job printer; Charles M. Cooper. attorney;
Henry Schwinge. teadealer: John G. Dunn.
plumber; Timothy Clark. Jail turnkey and
alderman, with many others, made like state
ments, all of the leading defendants, except |
Bernhamer receiving excellent regulations
Myron d. King, once deputy in the Secretary
of States Office, said he had heard a great many
complimentary things concerning Mr.. Coy.
John ]. Cooper. ex-Treasurer of State, support
ed Coy and Matter.
This testimony relieved by calling to the |
stand VIM. Flynn, inspector of of the |
Twenty-ffth ward precincts. and the
Perkins said.Reardon brought into Room So He |
denied this statement. saying, ''Reardon is too |
me anywhere" On the day of the |
canvass he was in several rooms of
the Court house, but knew nothing of koom 80, |
except
pers. After this DIR. Van Vorhis, law partner |
OF W. W. Spencer who is an ex-secretary of the
Democratic central committee, testified to |
Spans good reputation, while Geo. Ell. Rouser |
gave evidence for Sullivan. Allen w. |
Conduit. o: Conduit & Son, Wholesale
grocers said the regulations of Coy |
and Sullivan were good, judging by the way |
they are regarded by the people who know them |
best John w. Bowlus and Joseph b. Healing |
testified for DIR. Metcaf. Abram. Sprinestsin
was a Jealous witness for Coy, and resented the |
supposition that he knew or had heard anything |
of Sim Coy being the keeper OF gambling.
replied, ''and that is all you can make of it."
John C. Dalton. halter, also stated that he had |
johnson, OF the News, said as far as he |
knew, Coy's business reputation good; |
except in charges to that effect he knew nothing |
of his character as a political schemer. Judge |
n. B. Taylor. of the Superior Court, testified as I
to the reputation of Albert T. Beck, which he |