The morning call., 1894-04-26
HE HAD HIS PRICE.
An Indiana Jurors Bold
Proposition.
HE WOULD HANG THE JURY,
And All This Was to Be for a
Consideration.
HE WOULD HANG THE JURY.
MADE A SENSATION IN THE COURT
His Plans Were Betrayed, and He
Must Now Pay the Penalty
for His Venality.

INDIANAPOLIS, April 25.-The trial of
Frank and Perclval Coffin and A. S. Reed
of the Indianapolis Cabinet Company, for
aiding L. p. Haughey, president of the
indianapolis Bank, in wrecking that in
sttGtion, was resumed this afterno oon.
AT noon Judge Baker announced that
there was in his possession evidence that
Juror Alvin Armstrong of Lawrence
County had been guilty of conspiracy and
corruption against the Government by at
tempting to enter into a compact with the
defendants to hang the jury for consid-
Grafton of $4,000. The juror was arrested
as he sat in the box, the jury was dis
charged ana court adjourned until next
Tuesday. when new jury will be selected
from the May venire and the sensational
case will be commenced again. 1t has
already cost the Government $4,000. which
is lost
The details of the crime of Juror Arm
strong were equally sensational and in-
volved Frank o. Stsnnard of Lawrence
County, who was arrested at once as he
sat as delegate in the Republican State
Convention. but square away. Arm
strong and Stannsrd are Deighboring
farmers and stock-raisers in Lawrence
County. and during the latter part Of last
week, while both were at home. they met
In Bedford aud agreed that when they
came TO Indian apOlis Monday Stsnnard
was TO see one of the Coffi s and make an
agreement that for $1,000. to be equally
divided between them, Armstrong would
hang the jury.
They came TO this city Sunday, and Mon
day Stannard called upon one of the at or
neys for the defense. at his Office, and
asked to see one of the Collins personally.
Mr. Claypool. suspeeting something, sent
for F. A. Coffin, and after the two had re-
tired to private room Stanuard made his
proposition on behalf of Armstrong. the
juror. Coffin said he doubted what he
SAID. and must see his attorneys.
Arranging another meeting with Stan
nard and Armstrong that evening Coffin
told his counsel what had happened, and
they carried he news directly to Judge
Baker of the United States District Court
who is trying the case. The court directed
that the evidence against the two men be
secured, so as to secure their conviction,
and acting under this advice the meeting
with Armstrong and Stannard was ar
ranged for last night. A stenogra pher
was present, and tue compact was duly
completed and witnessed. Armstrong
was to hang the jury. and he and Stan
nard were TO each get $500.
Armed with this damnng evidence the
defendants and counsel laid the matter be-
fore the court this morning. He announced
the proof satisfactory. and as soon as the
jury had been brought before him it was
disch arged. and Armstrong placed under
arrest. At 2 o'clock he and Stannard
were brought before the Judge and placed
under S15 600 bonds to appear before him
next Monday for trial and sentence.
Stannard is of the firm of Stannard
Bros, extensive Stock-raiSers of lawrence
County, president of the Big Six Fair AS
sociatiop. and secretary of the Bedford Fair
and Trotting Association. He also is
administrator of big estate.