The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-11-02
BRIBERY AT FRANKLIN
EFFORT TO BUY GOLD DEMOCR ATS
IN LARGE NUMBERS.
offered Them $50 Each to Stay Away
from The city ON Election Day
sheriff WeddIe's Hunt.

Sheriff Albert weddle and a deputy
named Clark reached the city last night
locking for q man named Samuel Parsley.
who is a fugitive from Franklin. He Is Il
Democrat and Is wanted there on the
charge of attempting to bride Democrats
TO leave Franklin before Tuesday and re-
main away until after the election Is over.
Parsley is twenty-six years old and Il mar
ried. He has been in trouble before. hav-
ing served a term of one year in the PEN
itentiary two years ago for forgery
Sheriff Weddle told part of the story TO
n Journal reporter last night at the police
station. bu. as soon as he learned to whom
he was talking he refused TO say more.
Later he went 10 the sta ton house ana
went to the Sentinel Office. He would not
talk OF the matter 10 a reporter or the
Journal ut ALL The exact purpose OF the
attempted bribery is not known 1t * sup
posed that the men who were approached
are gold Democrats and that it WAS desired
that they stay away from the polls, but the
reticence of Mr.. Weddle made 1t impossible
to verify this.
Saturday evening he was arrested on the
charge of bribery, and while trying to get
bond made his escape. and 1t Is thought
he came to this city. Yesterday afternoon
probably in this city with Lulu May Hoi-
lingsworth, VINO is q woman We'll known 70
the police. He hurried to catch train for
here. and while running to the depot saw
Parsleys brother driving into Franklin
The horse. was jaded and looked as If 1t
had been driven a long distance, and the
sheriff instantly surmised the brother had
driven Parsley TO this city. The snerlh ana
his deputy cameson here. arriving late IN
the evening, and began to look through the
different resorts for Parsley without gong
to the police station to ask assistance.
They did not find their man. and finally
gave I'D the search and went to the police
station.
Sheriff Weddle said that Parsley. who Is
a strong Democrat, had been hired by some
other men, who are unknown, but supposed
to DO wealthy farmers near Franklin, 10
bride gold Democrats to stay away from
Franklin during election day. He made his
first attempt at bribery, SO Weddle claims
about the first of last week by Offering hVe
men $50 each 10 come to Indianapolis ana
remain here until Wednesday. They were
all Democrats, and. after little hesita-
ton, accepted. Weddle claims that ten men
are implicated in the bribery. and 1t Is
thought that five more are interested, out
there is not enough evidence TO prove the
suspicion.
Three of the five Democrats who ac-
cepted the bride are Clyde Simpson, Lew
Baker and rip Harrison. who have rep
utations as local politicians. Their con-
sciences played havoc with their tongues,
and they finally made a clean breast OF the
matter Simpson made an affidavit as to
the truthfulness Of his statement, but,
fearing TO get into trouble, he refused to
sign ii.
MAGISTRATE Coleman then made out a
warrant for the arrest OF Parsley
and he was arrested Saturday
evening He said that he could
give bond ard a man named Barrett was
deputized to go with him in search o. Il
bondsman. They got into a buggy and
drove to several places. but failed. Finally
Parsley said that man named Mcllvaine
would go his bond. Accordingly they
drove TO the home of McIlvaine, and Bar
ret permitted Parsley to get out to rattle
window TO awaken McIlvaine. Parsley,
however, went around the side OF the
house and that is the last seen of him.
Sheriff Weddle is very anxious to find
Parsley and says that 1t Is not the intention
to prosecute him, but to endeavor TO per-
suade him TO turn States evidence and tell
who the men are who have hired him to
carry on the bribery.