The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-08-26
DEKALB COUNTY SWlNDLED
George N. Ray, 1t Seems, Had a Strong
Pull on the Township Trustees.
Introduced to the Township Trustees and
Numerous Sets of His Cheap Encyclopedias
Disposed of at Enormous Prices.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal
AUBURN. Ind, Aug. 25.-The exposure
of the Wholesale swindiing operations of
George NJ. Ray by the Journal. May Is,
was read with q great deal of interest in
DeKalb county. 1t was remembered that
George NJ. Ray had been seen in Au-
burn during the month of May. 1891. 1t
was reported that he went 20 q hardware
store and borrowed revolver to carry .
few days. He put up about AL the revolver
was worth TO secure the use of it. He then
went to Hon. D. d. Moody, who was
elected county clerk in 1890 by the Demo-
Gratis. Mr.. Moody and Mr.. Ray were we'll
acquainted. They had met many times in
Indianapolis while MIR. Moody was q men,
Der of the Legislature of 1881 and 1888. and
while Mr.. Ray was figuring as lobbyist.
Mr.. Ray was we'll satisfied he had tho
right man to introduce him with his pecul-
lar operations to the trustees of DeKalb
county.
Mr.. Moody has q brother-in- law. w. HI.
Fair, who is trustee of.Butler township.
He was the first man approached, and it ap-
pears Mr.. Fair purchased $50 worth of
cheap Chamberss Encyclopedias, and
charged them up ON his receipts as re
pairs on school," but In his annual report
he shows the $50 expended 'for encyclo-
pedlas." 1t does not appear that the regu-
lation order used by Ray In Shelby county
was used in his dealings with Mr. Fair.
Joseph Wilson, Democratic trustee of
Stafford township. was the next to yield to
the seductive inf uences OF Moody and Ray.
a.
ago on q contest, and Mr.. Moody was his
attorney. 1t was generally thought then
that the whole scheme by which Charles
Afford. who was duly elected, was cheated
out of his office, was bold political machi-
nation of Moody, Wilson and Jake Hook,
who holds the Office OF county surveyor.
Wilson then posed as martyr TO the cause
knew his clients as we'll as be knew the
pull Ray lad on trustees. Wilson gave an
order for two sets of encyclopedias" for
500. May 20, 1891. Jan. &c. 1892. he bought
county superintendent for $3.50.
The field seemed 70 be opening no all
right. j. j. Walters. Democratic trustee of
jackson township. was seen. He WAS found
to be In a happy frame of mind. and he
thought about four sets of ency ciopedlas
would be what he wanted, and he gave the
township order for $3.50. May 20 1871. for
the same. He was not satisfied with his
purchase, and he gave another order Dec.
16. 1891, for ten historical charts" and Item
sets of drawing charts for S525.
But tho man who gave the whole snap
away the last Democratic trustee to
purchase. X. II. Sherlock gave che note of
Fairfield township for $3.50. for five sets
of ENJOY clopedias." May b. 1891. ALI of
these orders drew interest at 8 Der cent,
and were due June ID, 1892. But it appears
from the report of Mr.. Sherlock that after
he gave his order he credited his report
looks very much like this rebate WAS the
inducement held out to trustees to get
them to pay enormously high prices for
school supplies. What object could Ray
have in giving q cent rebate on any order,
and then selling the order for less than it's
face value!
These discoveries have created consider
able stir among the Democratic politicians
OF the county. who already feel they cannot
carry the county this fall. They have
seen the county going In debt annually at
the rate of about $4,000 for the past five
years with no extensive public improve
meDts to show for it. The new tax law re-
Quired the collection of $26, $40 more taxes
than before and left the county with 81. 2f9
less money to meet county expenses by
sending S2S. 941 more to Indianapolis than
was called for under the old law. These
facts, taken together with the useless ex-
penditures Of the school funds by town
ship trustees mean} defeat to Democracy
In Dekalb this fall. There hae long been
q feeling thar there ongbt 10 he some
change in the management of affairs in this
county, and tins feeling is especially strong
among the farmers