The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-03-10
LEADING 4 DOUBLE LIFE.
A Man for Years Above Suspicion Is at Last
Charged with Stealing Horses.

Detective Frank G. Lloyd will return from st.
Louis this morning with man who has the
reputation of being one of the most successful
horse-thleves in this State. He is Charles j.
Martin. and his home, until recently, was at
Mitchell. he was captured in ST Louis Thurs
day afternoon. where he lived under the as
sumed name of Charles Davis. To detective
Lloyd is due the credit of the capture of Martin
after a long and tedious search through three
States The detectives say that the prisoner
has been professional horse-thief for years, but
his social position always kept him above suspi-
con. Ostensibly an extensive householder, he
resided in several southern Indiana towns, and
also in st. Louis, but it is charged that many of
the horses he shipped were stolen by himself
and his confederates.
About two morths ago an indianapolis horse
recovered In Bedford an occurrence that
caused Martin 10 leave his home at Mitchell.
He went TO Vineennes. and then to Terre Haute
and later to several Western States, and finally
to St Louis. On the 18th of last month, it is
charged, he stole valuable horse from j. Nj.
Dare. of Odin. Ill., He took the animal to St.
Louis and sold it for S120. On the 9th inst. Mr..
Dare went to that city and identified the horse
his own. This clew led to ths capture of
Martin. Detectives HOBBS and Lloyd claim to
have information that Martin. during the last
Marion and Hamilton counties nine of which
they have recov cred The horses wtre all driven
from here 20 MItche II. and from there shipped
to Louisville, St. Louis, Cincinna ii and New
Albany
Martin for years has enjoyed good social
position In ST. Louis at ane tims he
ployed IN responsible service in a large firm of
iron man ufacturers. He was also a very attent-
i've member of the Methodist Church while he
lived there and in the other places named. He
and his wife connected themselves with several
charitable organizations. and he always
looked upon by his acquaintance
emplarv man. About two years ago he moved
from st. Louis Mitchell, this State. Soon
after that a large number of horses began to be
missing, but as Martins pew in the church was
always occupied, one ever suspected him of
being the thief Gradually he branched out
alleged horse-trader, and. it is charged, stole
horses from all sections of the State.
When horses were traced right inro his hands.
and the authorities would approach him on the
subject. he would threaten them or his aeeusers
with prosecution for SANDER. It is said TO be
fact that he has driven stolen horses through
the Rtrsets of Mitchell, and other towns. ard
watered them at the town pumus when there
would be officers standing arounc with de-
seription of the horse and thief 10 their pocket
but they never molested him. Only a few
months ago. IL is alleged, he stole fine IRON
gray horse from Frank Parker OF B-oad Ripple.
XIV. The horse recently recovered. An
otner line horse which he 10 sand to have driven
or in daylight was that of DIR Morrill,, Of West
indianapolis.
While Operating Ia this section OF the State
he made his headquarters at the little village OF
Waverly, IN Morgan county. The p acs has no
telegraph Office. and he was away from police