The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-11-24
NAY BE A GOOD CATCH
ARREST OF A MAN WHO SLAMMED
DEATH NEAR LAwRENCEBURG.
II IL Supposed His Purpose Was Rob-
bery-wears an Infantry Uniform
and Is Thought to BE N Deserfer.

Sergeant Kurtz discovered Pat" Kelly.
Irish, Twenty-Five years old, begging in
the basement of the courthouse yesterday
afternoon and placed him under arrest.
Kelly was walking with clutches and car
ried n dilapidated old gripsack slung over
his shoulder. He was dressed in the uni
form of the regular army and told a story
that drew the money from the pockets
OF sympathizing listeners. At the station
house he was searched and over So found.
He said he was from the north of Ire
land, a landowner, and had been in this
country six years. When asked by Captain
Quigley If he ever worked in a pork house
he feigned ignorance of what pork house
was. Some one enlightened him by sug-
costing a slaughter house was meant. He
replied with considerable disgust he had
never worked in such a place. Captain
Quigley followed up the query with an
other, asking him if he was not a ped
dler. He replied he didn't know there were
any peddlers in this country, as he had
never seen any, but that there were plenty
in Ireland and from his experience he
wanted nothing TO do with them. He said
he bought his uniform secondhand. but
never served in the regular army. '"They
wouldn't have me- said he. Il wish to
God. gentlemen, they would take me-" He
was regarded as being less green than he
seemed and from later developments. 1t
is believed there is more back of the mans
history than was first suggested.
Reports reached here this evening from
Lawrenceburg that a man bearing the gen.
eral description Of Kelly recently attempted
to rob John Andrews, Of Dover. a promi-
nent farmer and the trustee of his town.
ship, in a very ingenious manner Andrews
was known to have several thousand dol
lars in his possession. a stranger wearing
the uniform of the regular army and walk
ing with crutches called for shelter. The
next morning the stranger claimed to be
very sick and asked that a priest be
sent for. He aid he thought he was
about to die and wanted TO make his last
confession. Soon after the priest came the
man apparently died. A doctor living i'm
the neighborhood heard of the case and
insisted upon seeing the remains. AS soon
as admitted TO the room he claimed the
fellow was shamming death. One of the
mans legs was wrapped in a plaster of
Paris bandage. The doctor took off the
dressing and found the leg perfectly sound.
The a had come to life by this time
and confessed he was sslamming. He fled
in great haste, leaving behind him a bundle
OF ladies' fine underwear and other arti-
cles OF apparel. y paper was also left
behind him containing n diagram of the
lnleFlOT Oh Il dwelling Int n ISL OF names
of farmers. among which was that of Trus-
tee Andrews. 1t was then believed the
stranger was a robber intent upon rob-
bling the entire neighborhood and a posse
started in pursuit, but he escaped.
After Pat" Kelly was brought to the
station house and superintendent Colbert
connected the two cases in his mind and
determined 10 question Kelly. After return
ing, from supper to the police station last
night Mr.. Colbert had the man brought out
nf his cell and uuSSfiOnp6 him
Where did you spend last night and
the night before?' he was asked. Kelly
was somewhat surprised at the question
and showed considerable confusion.
why" he stammered, Il was in the
country"
You were sick there, were you not?'
What was the matter with your"
well, my leg was sore and had troub-
lie iii. n my yo chest Ssvs l . h ny,s. lung rsn tronbl xo,, >,
Yes. sir. The man there sent for him.
1 didn't ask him to, but he did"
Didn't a doctor come and take the
bandage off your leg"
Yes, sir. The doctor was drunk when
he did it. / can prove he was drunk"
when did you leave there?"
II left there the next morning."
Didn't you run away? Wasn't there a
The man was confused at this question
and made no direct reply at first, but fin
ally insisted he had no trouble.
You died over there didn't you?"
The fellow was nonplused at this inquiry
and failed to give an ineligible answer.
He finally managed TO explain he had not
died, burt was very sick and came near
dying. He said enough TO satisfy Mr.. Col
bert he was the man who had slammed
death at Lawrenceburg and a telegram was
sent to Trustee Andrews. Kelly's leg was
examined and found to be apparently in
a sound condition. While he walks with
the crutches pretending ii Is so stiff he
cannot put 1t down to the floor it was
found flexible upon examination and there
was no evidence Of any fracture or SWELL
ing whatever. Kelly says he was hurt in
falling off a load of hay near Boston, Mass.
Police Surgeon Kahlo VIII examine the
man this morning to see If he is really
lame or only pretending to be so. He set
up d pretense OF pitiable blubbering when
he found his story of the accident was
not believed and hobbled back TO his cell.
protesting he was telling the truth. Cap
tain Splan asked him IL he were not a
deserter. He insisted he was not and
Claimed he had never served In the regular
army. The captain has a description of a
deserter that leads him to believe Kelly
is wanted by the federal authorities for de-
sertion. His case will be thoroughly in
vestigated and he will be detained until
word can be received from Lawrenceburg
Kelly has the appearance of a typical