Mexico weekly ledger., 1892-11-17
IN JAZZ.
A Nan Innocsnt Of Crime Under Q Pc
itsntiars Sentences.

a Man Innocent Of OriTna Under rem
it,nttars Sentences.
ST.. Louis. Nov August Hoover. .
German, who was sentenced to the pen.
itentiary for two years on pleading
guilty to a charge of grand larceny last
Friday, Is now said to be innocent by
the man who made the charge. James
Conlisk, a whitener, at ID south Ninth
street.
On March 0 last some one stole an
meerchaum pipe belonging TO Conlisk
from a clearinghouse. On September
81, six months later, Conlisk was WALK
ing along Pine street near Ninth when
he met Hoover, and followed him until
he came to an officer, when he had him
arrested. He was taken before the
landlady of the clearinghouse, who
identified him as the man who had
boarded there and left the place when
the clothes and watch were stolen.
Hoover was given a hearing, and as
he refused to make a statement he
was held for the grand jury. That
body indicted him on a charge of grand
larceny.
W hio iiiAchG 1hptoi-
ney Furlong and an officers of the
criminal court called on Hoover in
the cage and told him that he would
do well to plead guilty and receive a
short sentence rather han go to trial
and be sentenced. He took their adj
vice and was sentenced to serve two
years in the penitentiary. 1t is said
now that Conlisk has been convinced
that Hoover did not steal his property
and is anxious to get him out of Jail
before he goes to the p~enitentiary.
John Popp, a prominent citizen Of
Montgomery City, Mo-, came to the
city a few days ago and saw Conlisk.
He said Hoover owned property in
Montgomery county, Mo-, and was a
respected citizen there. He certainly
could not be guilty of a petty theft.
This statement made Conlist investi.
gate the case, and he is said to have de-
clared that he now believes Hoover is
innocent. There is nothing hat pre-
vents Hoover going to the ''pen" ex-
cept the governors pardon. He en-
tered a plea of guilty in the October
term, or otherwise he could withdraw
his plea of guilty and go to trial. As
all matters pertaining to the October
term are now closed his case cannot be
taken up again by the criminal court,
and if his friends can prove his inno-
his only hope lies in the govern
or's pardon.
Hoover is a German, a. years of age,
is married and has three children, II,
7and 8 years of age. living in st.
Charles with their mother. In an in
terview with a reporter in Jail yester-
day morning he said. 81 can prove by
Louis Eckelmyer, of Hannibal, Mo-,
for whom I worked, that 1 was making
cigars for him in his factory in March,
1s92. l was not in st. Louis. l for
merly lived in Montgomery City, where
/ property, and then moved to
Hannibal. left Hannibal in August,
and leaving my wife and children in
st. Charles 1 came here and worked at
my trade at All North Broadway. I
sent money to my wife every week. l
was arrested in September, and know
nothing about court matters, as /
was never arrested before. I
did not make a statement in the court
of criminal correction because 1 had nc
witnesses, and thought my wife and
Mr.. Ecklemeyer, of Hannibal, would
be here when I was tried finally. They
did not come, and fearing a trial I
pleaded guilty to larceny on the advice
OF some court officials who said I would
receive a long sentence. am innocent
OF any crime, but l am unable to prove
1t without Mr.. Ecklemeyer, of Hanni-
bal, and l have no money to send for
him. 1 have not seen Mr.. Popp, whom
I know. mol Mr.. Conlisk."
Mr.. Conlisk was not in his ssop at IS
south Ninth street when a reporter
called there. and it could not be learned
what evidence he has to clear Hoover
o. prove his innocence.