The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1893-12-13

LOUISVILLE, Ky, Dec. Special
The Evening Times publishes the follow
ing this evening:
William and Samuel Conrad. the
brothers who dealt such a stunning blow
to white-cap rule i'm southern Indiana
three months ago, We're in the city this
morning and left this afternoon for Kan
sas, where they viii endeavor 10 make
new home They came here from
Meade county. where they have been
ever since the fight at their home. near
Laconia, Ind. which resulted in the kill
ing of five Of the band of white caps
who had intended to drive them out Of
that locality.
Until now the two brothers have been
keeping their whereabouts from the
friends OF the men who were killed, and
all efforts To find them have proved fu-
tile
At the time or the tragedy every ef-
fort was made by the reporters TO find
the Conrad brothers to get their state
ment regarding the affair, but 10 no pur-
pose, and when they We're seen at the
Union station at Tenth and Broadway
this morning by reporter FOR the Times
they talked freely Of the killing and
stated that they had never before been
given an opportunity 10 present their
side of the matter TO the public.
William Conrad spoke for both OF
them and during his recital Of the par
ticulars of the killing Of the white caps
his brother prompted him several times.
but had little to say for himself Their
story Of the fight IN their own language
would fill three columns Of any news
paper and what they said about the
- toll -
as the particulars published at the time
1t has always been a matter OF won
der that the brothers knew on just what
night the attack was 10 be made, and IL
was supposed that. after having received
warning OF what was coming, they had
stood guard for several nights before the
attack was made. Such Is not the case,
however for they knew two days before
lust what time the white caps were TO
come and were prepared for them. They
gained this information by the merest
accident. and one Of the men who was
killed was 10 blame for the disclosure
Of the secret.
Their mother had occa sion to visit a
country store in that neshborhood two
DAYS before the attack WAS made, and,
while seated near an open window, she
heard a man named Timberlake tell an
not know, ali about the proposed attack.
The two men did not know that she heard
them, and she did not betray her pres
she told her two sons what was coming.
They had been warned 70 leave that part
Of the country several Gays before anu
this warning, coupled with what their
mother had overheard. led them to pre-
pare for the attack.
secreted themselves IN the garden in front
of their dwelling and awaited the coming
OF the regulators" William took a posi-
ton to the right Of the door thirty yards
from IT, while Samuel hid in a correspond
ing position on the other side OF tn door
Their mother had been sent away sfore
dark. When the white caps arrived some
OF them passed between the brothers ana
stepped upon the porch Their repeated
knocking at the door, Of course brought
no response from within the house, and
they threatened 20 force an entrance:
Then. and not until then. the Conrad
brothers opened fire with their shotguns,
firing four shots I'm all. The guns were
loaded with buckshot and four shots were
known. five men fell upon the porch. The
fire was returned, but no aim was taken,
for the brothers could not be seen by
their enemies, and the attacking party
beat a hasty retreat
The foregoing is the substance OF their
became OF the Conrads after the killing has
never been known until now. A number
Of persons reported having seen them after
ward but both brothers declare that these
reports were false
I'VE remained in the garden" said
William Conrad, until we were sure the
men had gone then we made for the
river. We had made every preparation 60
escape m they were too many Tor US. and
when got TO the river got skin and
came over 10 Kentucky. We went at once
60 the home Of a relative near Rock Haven,
where remained until the next day.
when started to return.
ron the way we learned that peace
warrants had been sworn out for us and
we did go near our home again. A
fisherman told us the house had been
burned and we had no reason TO 30 back
there. Until this fisherman told us what
had been done at Corydon we did not
know how many had been killed. and IL
was from him that we got the names OF
the dead. Then we returned 20 Rock Haven
and afterward went TO Grahamton. where
we got work in a mill. We have been
there ever since, and have earned enough
money TO leave this part Of the country.
and we are going TO leave"
Where are you going twas asked.
I'VE are going 10 Kansas first. We have
relatives near Wyandotte, aud will Sc
when we reach there what we viii do. Our
only purpose in staying here this long was
20 get enough money 10 get away from
here. Our mother will remain here until
we are able TO send FOR her. We do not
think have done any more than any
other man would have done and we do
not think We are murderers."