The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-08-13
3. PENNsYLvAN IA ST
9 trial was
and the case

of venue ont of the county trial was
postponed from term TO tel and the case
was finally nolIled.
1t was about this time that Ray at
tempted to corrupt Douglass Dobbins. who
was then superintendenu of public
schools in Shelby county. Ray went "a
Dobbins and asked for a copy of the list OF
questions that would be submitted TO
teachers for examination. Ray told Dob.
bins that If be had such a list he could
make big roll of money. and ne agreed
to divide whatever profits accrued. His
plan to sell TO applicants for teaohers'
license COPIES of the questions In advance.
Dobbins Indignantly spurned the 2roposi-
, ton. aud made public exposure OF Rays
Sascality. Ray entered a bold and EN-.
phatic denial. and threatened TO make
Dobbins eat his words. Going to DObbiDs.
Ray demanded that he retract. but Dob
bins reiterated his charges Quick as o
flash Ray pulled out revolver. and would
have killed his accaser. bad not bv-
stander. in grabbing at the weapon got his
hand between the hammer and the breecb.
1t was plain case of assault with intent
to murder and Dobbins and his friends at
tempted TO have Ray indicted, but such
was his influence with grand juries and
prosecutors, even at that time, that all eff
forts TO secure his punishment came to
naught.
EXPERIENCE AS JURY-FIxER.
From 1884 TO 1888 Ray figured in several
cases of jury-f fixing. He gave 1T to be un-
derstood that he controlled the selection
of jurors and their verdicts and that liti-
gants could get most any kind of yer.
dict desired if they we're willing to pay his
price. One notable case In which Ray
figured was that of the State VS.. Henry.
charged with assault with intent TO MUIR
der. Defendant was connected with
family of wealth and standing. and Ray
saw chance for stake. Approaching
the attorneys for the defense. Ray pro-
posed for 8! 1000 10 set I'D jury that would
acquit. HIS offer was declined with
thanks. and Ray then threatened that X
his terms were not accepted be would fix
up Jury and furnish evidence that would
send MP the accused for the full term pre-
scribed by law. The attorneys to whom be
made his proposition and threat ordered
him out of their office. and informed him
that if he meddled in the Case they would
put him in the penitentiary. The resule
was that Henry escaped with a fine of so.
Rays bold defiance OF judges and his
ability to manipulate conventions cropped
out in 8 tilt that he had with Judge h. NJ.
HOrd. The latter in his second race was
assisted by Ray. He desired TO ackDowl-
edge and pay the obligation incurred. In
forming Ray that the courthouse needed
paint and whitewa ash, he directed him to
60 ahead and attend to IL and bring IA his
bill. KAY aid AS directed, but the bill be
that Judge Hord refused to allow IT, Ray
refused TO reduce IL anu informed Judge
Hord he could allow It or take the con-
sequences. The court was not To be bull
doZed, and Rays paint and whitewash bill
was cut In two in the middle Ray carried
his grievance into the next convention
that nominated a judge. with the result
that he secured the defeat of Hord, and
Hackney, the present judge, was nomi-
mated.
IN THE LEGISLATURES third HOUSE."
In addition to the fields already indi-
Gated, Ray has achieved success as a lobby.
lst. AT the last several sessions of tho
General Assembly he has been q regular
attendant in the Iobbies and on the floors
of both branches. He has the reputation
OF being an adroit and successful promoter
OF legislative jobs, and many Is the Trick
and scheme that has served to line hla
pocket with ILL., gotten lucre. The Central
Union Telephone Company has reason TO
remember Ray. At the session of 1887 Kay
drafted a bill restricting the charge fol
telephones TO "a q month and the delivery
of a message TO Is cents. Armed with this
bill Ray went TO the telephone officials.
submitted the bill. told them that IL was
to be presented. but offered for $1,000 TO
have 1t killed In committee. The telephone
people laughed at the demand. hut the
next day the bill was submitted, rushed
through both houses. and was law al
most before the telephone officials knew
what was up. SIX
The most recent piece of scoundrelism IN
which the tracks of Ray appear cropped
out in tho bribery ana scandal exposed in
connection with the purchase of the new
State fair grounds. lr will be remembered
that when the State Board of Agricnlture
was hesItating between the V oss and Miller
| farms the sum of $1,000 was placed In the
| safe of the Denison Hotel TO be delivered
| to certain members of the board on condi-
| chase of the Miller farm. The attempt 10
bribe was exposed after at least two men,
bers of the board had become badly
| smirched, and in the end the Noss farm was
selected. While the question of the seleo-
| ton was being canvassed Ray was a per-
sistent advocate of the purchase OF tho
Miller farm. and developments since leave
| scarce shadow of doubt that he Was the
/ Doodle in the Denison Hotel safe.