The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-12-15
With the Understa nding that Ii Was
f. 10 he Turned Over Tn Comm issioner
vOorhfs. Now an Police Justice.
CREEDEN AT ONCE FIRED"
SUSPENDED FROM THE POLICE
FORCE FOR TELLING THE TRUTH.
Commissioners and Nr. Byrncs Sum-
moned by Mr.. Con and Asked to
Explain-Boss Croker Laughs.

NEW YORK. Dec. l4.-Police Captain
Creeden confessed before the Lexow COM
mittee to-day that he had paid $4,000 TO
secure his captaincy. A few hours later
he was suspended from the force by the
board of police commissioners on recon-
mendation of Superintendent Byrnes. who
instructed to prepare charges against
him. The Lexow committee had agreed
that Creeden should be granted immunity
from punishment for his purchase OF
captaincy and when the action Of the
police commissioners became known they.
as well as Superintendent Byrnes. were
subpoenaed to appear this afternoon be-
fore the investigating body.
Captain Creeden's confession was the
biggest sensation yet brought forth by the
Lexow committee. In itself the captains
statement was merely confirmation OF
testimony elected before the Senators yes
terday. but the startling facts. essentially
interviewer with this sensational exposure,
puts the taint of dishonor and corruption
upon men who have held some of the most
responsible offices in the gift Of the COM
munity. But public censure is not heaped
on Creeden's head. He had served in the
local police department for thirty years
with honor and distinction. He is war
SCARED veteran whose record shows that
in twenty-three engagements OF the civil
war he risked his life for his country. The
captains fault is forgotten by the popular
mind in sympathy for his present trying
position and respect for his past record
The day was replete with exciting ana
dramatic incidents In consequence of the
Lexow committee proceedings throughout
tne official channels that bear relation to
the public departments involved In the in
vesdgation.
Commissioner Sheehan. ai1ezr feid OF Cree
denis statement asked: ~Who got the
money!" When told that the point had not
yet been fully developed, he said: That's
what they want to fnd out. IL they keep
up their investigation long enough / guess
they will"
The scenes in and around the meeting
room of the committee in the old Tweed
courthouse were intensely dramatic and
sensational. Men were moved by passions
and emotions they had never felt before.
The court room was filed with representa-
tive citizens who were desirous OF hearing
the testimony. Captain Creeden had said
ON the witness stand that he had paid no
money for his captaincy. But to-day. after
Captain Schmittberger. who is under in
dictment. refused the advice OF his counsel
to answer questions. Creeden was allowed
an opportunity tn tell the truth, and he told
it. He had been reared in that part Of Ire
land where the roll of an informer was
deemed the most despicable Of human char
acters: he had preferred to sacrifice him.
self rather than to implicate those who ne
said were his friends. but he had thought
the matter over during the night and de-
cided to tell all he knew.
CREEDENS TESTIMONY.
The witness spoke slowly. with downcast
eyes. He was moved by conflicting emo
tions, and the sympathies OF hiss auditors
went out to the white-haired veteran In a
Straightforward. though shamefaced, man.
ner, he told how he had risen from the
position of patrolman TO sergeanscy; how
at last a csptalncy was offered him-for
money The expense of educating his
eight children had been very heavy, and
he wanted the position OF captain, with its
increased emoluments. But ne had SUBJ
mitted the matter to lis friends. They
raised the money. The amount necessary
to secure the appointment was $1,000, be-
cause Sergeant wiegand had offered $l2.-
0W. His friends, Barney Rourke and John
W. Rappenhagen, secure the money. osten-
sioly on his notes. He had paid the money
tc. ex-Assemblyman John j.. Martin. IL
was his understanding that the funds went
te, Police Commissioners Voorhis, now police
Justice.
The Captain started of by telling how
he had passed a civil-service examination
IL was in December, 1881, that he heard
who was TO be appointed as captains. A
friend OF his asked him why he did not go
to one OF the commissioners who had one
of the appointments. II did not do anything
more just then" went on the Captain. Il
was at the desk one night when this friend
came in. He spoke to me again about the
matter. He said that Rappenhagen was the
County Democracy leader In the district
and that ought TO see him. Rappenhagen
told told Subsequently S that the place could be
had for $4,000. l told him 1t was consider
able money
Gof.
my friends 1 saw number of my friends
and told them that whatever they agreed
TO I would stand by Rappenhagen told me
that another man had $4,000 up and IL
wanted the place 1 must put up $500
sswho was the other manT' asked Mr..
Con-
Must I sayg' pleaded Captain Creeden.
You must" said Mr.. Con. quietly.
We'll sir, IL was Sergeant Wiegand.
wiegand is acting captain In the
Fourteenth precinct. The money was raised
by Captain Creeden on his personal notes.
guaranteed by life insurance policy.
GOT HIS APPOINTMENT.
smell and John ]. Martin" Creeden said.
came to the station house one day to-
gether and asked IL knew taat any money
had been raised for ne. 1 toi&~ him no.
and the two men returned 10 headduarters
About five minutes after they arrived they
wired me to go over. i did so and found
that l had been appointed and assigned
to the First precinct"
The $1,000, 1 believe. was in Mr. Smells
hands,?
YES"
And you were disappointed when You
were assigned TO the old Slip station?"
We'll. somewhat The money. by the
way. Withheld for couple OF days
until finally i said. let IL go: viii stand
the difference The money was paid over
TO Rappenhagen."
Witness went on TO say that he made
applications for promotion on several occa-
sions and once. sergeant below him In
the percentage scale. had been promoted
AT either Of these examLnA tlQnx YaRQ