The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-02-26
YOUNG WOODS CASE
CONTINUED IN CINCINNATI POLICE
COURT UNTIL APRIL 10.
He Will Probably Be Released on
Bail Saturday, His Bond Having
Been Reduced to $4,000.
HOW HE WAS LED ASTRAY
RIs RELATIONS TO SCOTT JACKSON
AND PEARL BRYAN.
Plain Statement by Rev. ID. NJ. Wood
of the Circumstances That Caused
His Sons Fall from Grace.
WILL FIGHT EXTRADITION
GOSSIP ABOUT THE CASES OF WALL
ING AND SCOTT JACKSON.
Habeas Corpus Proceedings May he
Brought by the Attorneys of the
Young Men-Hearing Thursday.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
CINCINNATI, Feb. 25.-Will Wood. Of
Greencastle, Ind, charged with abetting an
attempt to commit criminal operation on
Pearl Bryan, the Indiana girl who was found
beheaded near Fort Thomas. KY, three
weeks ago, was arraigned in police court to-
day. That there is very little public interest
taken in VIII Wood was vividly demon
strated this morning, when he was quietly
driven from the Jail to the station house in
a patrol wagon. There was no unusual
crowd at the Jail when he left the prison,
and but the everyday crowd of curious wit
messed his arrival at Central station. There
were some fifteen or twenty men and boys in
the court yard at the City Hall when the
IFpatrol wagon drove in. but the big crowds
that have worried the police in the past
we're lacking. Wood was locked up in the
cell room until Judge Gregg opened court
Woods case was the first called. His father
the Rev. ID. I. Wood was already in court
wheqfhis sons name was called, as was his
attorney Major Blackburn. This time the
prisoner was right on time. There was no
delay. He came in with two strong court
officers on. either side, and walked to the
usual plack hear the prisoners table, where
he had stood before Judge Gregg three
times before.
Prosecutor Nippert asked for a continuance
on the ground that the police had not yet
finished their investigation. and the State
was not, therefore. ready TO go on with the
case. Attorney Blackburn much to every
body's surprise, made no objection. 1--WE want
to give the State all the time 1t wishes" he
said, walking close up to the bench and adj
dressing Judge Gregg. I'VE are content to
let this case go continued any proper length
Of time. We fully appreciate the work of
the Cincinnati police and detectives, but /
hold that it is improper to hold my client In
Jail under big bond while this WORK is go-
ing on. We want to do nothing to defeat
the ends of justice. We want the State to
get all the evidence it possibly can and we
are willing to wait for 1t any length of time,
I stated. but 1 ask your Honor. in view
OF the developments of this case, To reduce
the bond of my client"
BOND REDUCED.
Judge Gregg looked down at Prosecutor
Nippert in a questioning sort of way and
finally, after some debate, the prosecutor
stated that he had no objection to a rea-
sonable reduction. Judge Gregg then for
mally reduced the bond from 5000 to 50, O0O
Major Blackburn expressed his satisfaction
at the result. The case was then continued
until April 10.
Major Blackburn, with Rev Wood, then
hurriedly left the court, and Wood was
taken back to his cell and later driven
back to the jail. Attorney Blackburn was
seen after the case came to conclusion.
He said that he wished to give the State
ample time to get all the evidence against
he hat
when his case comes up, l don't care at
what time. he will be acquitted in almost
less time than 1t takes to tell it, said the
Major. 1--WE have absolute and unques-
tionable proof that ne is innocent"
"Wil you secure bond for him?"
I'm day we hope to have
bondsman. He will be out on bond by
Saturday sure We are not going to have
him in Jail until April 15.''
"How about the United States postal au-
thorities' case against Wood?"
1--WE are not in the least frightened about
that 1 have the law on the case but there
is no United States law to convict Wood.
oh, no. we do not fear any trouble on that
score"
After his arraignment in court Will Wood
was asked if he wished to make n state
ment. He is evidently painfully surprised
at the unpleasant privileges the papers
have been taking with his name, and sui
lenly replied that "any one who wanted
any information could go 10 his attorneys
and get it, He was taken back to Jail
without incident.
HABEAS CORPUS POSSIBLE.
1t is a startling fact. but nevertheless
true, that Jackson and Walling are. in SO
far as the Ohio authorities are concerned
entitled to their liberty. If their attorneys
would press suits in habeas corpus the
young men might be given their freedom.
This will scarcely be done, for the prison
ers are afraid OF violence. II Is an open
secret that Sheriff Plummer is reluctant
about taking the prisoners TO Kentucky,
for it is mooted question as to whether
If they are taken there. the law VIII hermit
their return 10 Ohio In case the Kentucky
officials fail to find them guilty. III dis
missed in Kentucky they could not be held
again in jeopardy in Ohio for the same
offense.
The plan of procedure in the Jackson
Walling case was learned to-day. Although
both men are on the Police Court docket
for THURSDAY. neither will appear there;
be taken directly to the Common Pleas
Court. They. will be before Judge Buch-
walter at the time their trial ia set in
Police Court. a Police Court officer will
be sent TO the Common Pleas Court merely
TO bear official witness TO the presence of
the men there. When this officer reports to
Judge Gregg the cases against the supposed
murderers of Pearl Bryan will be finally
dismissed from the Police Court docket.
The Common Pleas Court cannot decide
upon the innocence or guilt of the men,
1t will merely ascertain whether Sheriff
Plummer's extradition warrant is correct
in every particular.
Sheriff Plummer told a reporter that he
had everything in readiness for the trial
Thursday. and il is possible that the men
Il
habeas corpus proceedings delay matters.
MAY BE A BITTER FIGHT
When Colonel Deitsch. chief of police,
reached his Office this morning he sent for
Chief of Detectives Hazen and for half an
hour the superintendent and the big chief
discussed the theories and facts In the Fort
Thomas murder mystery. Chief Hazen ex-