The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-09-08
OF THE COFFINS
III BEGIN BEFORE JUDGE BAKER
NEXT TUESDAY.
History of the ForTer Trial, with It's
Many INTERRUPTIONS -
Hnughey VIII Come Next.

The government has completed all its
arrangements for the trial of Frank and
Percival Coffin, who are charged with
having assisted in the ~wrecking of the
Indianapolis National Bank. The case will
be called to trial Tuesday morning in the
United States Court, in this city. A special
venire of sixty men has been drawn by
the United States clerk. from which a jury
will be selected. The gov eminent has
summoned about forty-eight witnesses, and
a large number of WITNESSES ave been
subpoenaed by the defense. The proseau-
ton will De conducted by District Attor-
ney Burke, attorney John w. Kern and
assistant District Attorney Edwin Corr.
The first trial of the Collins began April
10, 1894, its progress being interrupted by
a number of sensational events. April 9.
the day before the case opened, Theodore
P. Haughey, president of the Indianapolis
National Bank, pleaded guilty to four
counts in the indictment against him, and
the rest were nollied by the prosecution.
Judge Baker took the matter of punish
ment urier advisement. and the
bank president was not sem
fenced unit. after the trial of the Collins
and Albert S. Reed. The case proceeded
until April II, when 1t was interrupted by
the shooting Of Addison c.. Harris. lead
ing counsel for the defendants, by William
Copeland. of Madison. This startling oc-
currence caused an adjournment until
Thursday, April "a, when the proceedings
were resumed. John S. Duncan appeared
for the defense in place of Mr.. Harris,
and continued in the case until the end.
April Is, the day following the second be-
ginning of the trial. another annoying and
somewhat sensational interruption occurred.
About IL O'Clock on that Cay Judge Baker
came from his chamber, where he had been
in consultation with the attorneys for the
defense. with the announcement that the
case would rave to be Withdrawn from the
jury. An hour later juror Alvin Armstrong
and Frank Stannard were arrested on the
charge OF conspiracy against the govern
ment's interests. The charge was mad by
Frank Coffin, who said he had been ap-
preached by S%tannard, the latter offering
n gave bond and was cited TO APP
pear on the Following day, while Armstrong
was kept s91fined. stannard defaulted his
tried and sentenced to the States prison
for. eighteen months.
May l the case was again taken up and
continued twenty-six days. The jury found
both the Collins guilty after celebrating
from Saturday afternoon until Monday
morning, June A, the court announced the
sentences of the Collins and also pronounced
sentence upon Theodore P. Haughey. The
sentence of Frank Coffin was ten years in
prison and that of his brother five years.
The Collins asked that they be allowed
to remain here until their application to
the Supreme Court Of the United States
for a writ of supersedeas could be deter
mined, but the application was refused and
they were taken to the northern prison.
After spending six days in confinement. both
were released on an order from the SUI
preme Court, a writ of supersedeas having
been finally obtained through Justice Har-
Ian. The Collins gave bond for their ap-
pearance in court and left Indianapolis.
March 4, 1895, the Supreme Court reversed
the case, and 1T waS again set down for
trial. May 81 was the date named. but on
account Of a deficiency in the funds of
the government the trial was postponed
until Sept. 10.
Frank Coffin Is now in the city, and it Is
expected that his brother will arrive here
in time for the trial. 1t Is under
stood that A. C. Harris will appear with
Miller. Winter & Elan for the defense.
The trial of Schuyler Haughey will be
taken up Immediately after the case against
the Collins has been disposed of.