The Indianapolis journal., 1896-01-29
OLD DOGBERRY PLAN
ARRESTS MADE BY MAGISTRATE
sEARs's CoNsTABLEs FOR FEES.
Their Stool Pigeon Punished I'm PO-
lice CcUrt-Two Jurors Now III
I'm the Rocker Case.

Last Saturday a bartender employed at
Greenman's saloon, on Massachusetts ave-
nue., was arrested on a warrant from magis-
trate Sears's court, charging him with SELL
ing liquor to a minor. He gave bond for
his appearance in Sears's court this morn
ing. Later in the day Jesse Cobler, Frank
Birds stable foreman, saw Greenman and
Informed him that he was the victim OF a
conspiracy formed by constables, one ''Sol'
Brown and boy named VIM. ]. Carr, nine
teen years DID, Cobler boards at Mrs. Good
wins boarding house. where Carr has been
lodging for several weeks He has been un-
employed. and without money most of the
time. Last Saturday. Cobler says, the boy
told him he would soon have plenty of
money, and in answer to questions put said
he was going to different saloons purchas-
ing liquor for the purpose OF getting evil
dence on which to have the saloon keepers
arrested for selling liquor to minors. Il
asked him who furnished him the money"
said Mr.. Cobler yesterday. land he told me
Sol Brown gave 1t to him. l warned the
boy and told him he was on the road to the
penitentiary. He laughed and said it was
all right, as Brown had been in the busi-
ness before
the saloon keeper realized that the case
against him had been made simply for the
purpose of putting fees in the pockets of the
interested parties, and Immediately had
Carr arrested. Yesterday in Police Court
the boy was fined so and costs, SIG in ALL
The testimony showed that constables ap-
preached him with the suggestion that he
could make considerable money by having
rested for selling him liquor In such cases
the costs amount to about SIC, S of which
goes to the deputy prosecutor, Sc or 81 to
the constables serving warrants and MAX
ing arrests and 81 to the prosecuting wit
ness and the balance to the justice hearing
the case. In some instances, where prose-
dayits. it was said yesterday the con-
stables and prosecutors would each con-
tribute 81 to the witness. in addition to his
legal fee, in order to induce him to begin
proceedings. They could do this and still
De several dollars ahead on each case. Carr
told Cobler Saturday he was sure of So. at
Ieast, as he had already made one case,
and that the plans were all perfected for
more arrests. That was after Greenman's
bartender had been arrested. Judge Cox
intimated yesterday that the constables
ought TO be punished for the part they took
in the case. 1t came out in the evidence
that nextSFriday night Carr and others
were TO visit the resorts, purchase liquor
and then file affidavits against the keepers
for selling liquor to minors. Prosecutor
Wiltsie will be asked to investigate the
matter and 1t is understood the police will
take up the case Of the constables who are
interested in the Carr matter
Last week keepers Of two resorts were ar
rested on warrants from magistrate Sears's
court Constables from other courts said
they were simply made for the purpose of
putting fees into the pockets of the con-
stables. the deputy prosecutor and the
prosecuting witnesses An attorney said yes
terday 'SoP Brown made the afidavits
Reports from Chicago show that constables
In some or the justices courts there PLAYED
the same game and were afterwards ar
rested for blackmail.
Justice Carl Habich said yesterday his
constabies had been approached lately and
asked to go into combination for the ar
rest or the resort keepers, but had refused
TO have anything to do with such methods
would not have a constable about NV
once that would take part In such an out
rageous procedure" said he .'Of course
when an affidavit is filed, we have no right
to refuse to take the case, but will not al
low my constables to go out and make cases
themselves" Justices Johnston. Daniels
Nickerson. Walpole, Lockman and Habich
all said they would not allow their con-
stables to become parties to such arrests.