The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-10-07
RObinsOn's Ahhdavits Show Mayor
Taggart in the Vicinity When the
Transaction Was Made.
SILENCE WAS STIPULATED
But UHE CONTRACTORS WOULD NOT
HAVE ANY STRINGS TO 1T.
Interviews with All Those Concerned
in the ScandaI-NO Action by
the Board of Works.


peculiar transactions have been incubated
and Matched since Thomas Taggart was
elected mayor, Sterling r. Holt refunded
the 5000 he received from Fulmer & Sci
bert IN the white-river interceptor case,
according to statements made by Leander
A. Fumer and Royal S. Robinson, the lat
ter in an affidavit which is published else
where. Mayor Taggart and Controller
Johnson were cognizant of the transaction.
The affair was conducted by Caleb S. Den
ny, of Mcbride & Denny, attorneys for the
contractors, Mr.. Denny acting at the direc-
tion and in the interest of his clients Mr.
Denny was given Mr. Hot's check for the
amount, the latter not having $1,000 in cash
in his pockets Tuesday afternoon when the
transaction took place. He did not care to
draw the money from bank at this time.
Regarding what was said to him as of a
confidential character Mr.. Denny refuses to
confirm or deny what his client says He
says most positively, however that no suit
will be brought to recoup the money. Mr..
Denny able to say this much without
betraying any condolences. This is regarded
as proof positive that the money was re-
funded although it is denied by Mr.. Holt.
Briefly told the story of the return of the
money, as given by Messrs. Fulmer and
Robinson, is that at noon Tuesday Messrs
Fulmer and Robinson were in the office of
their attorneys, Mcbride d Denny, con-
versing with Mr.. Denny. They were insist
ing that he bring the suit for the recovery
of the 5000 at once. While they were talk
ing Mr. Denny received a telephone message
from Controller Johnson to be at the Grand
Hotel at l o'clock. Mr.. Denny went to the
hotel where ne found Sterling r. Holt
Mayor Taggart and Controller johnson.
Upon his return he told them that Sterling
r. Holt would return the money if they
(Messrs. Fulmer and Robinson and George
w. Seibert, the other member of the tirm)
would keep their mouths shut forever as to
the transaction. Sebert was at Bluffton
His partner telegraphed him to come home
at once, and agreed to enter into the agree
ment demanded pending his arrival. At
o'clock Mr.. Denny returned to the Grand
Hotel and was given a check for the
amount, Mr. Holt assuring him that it
would be taken up at A o'clock. At that
time Controller Johnson brought the money
to Mr. Denny and took up the check. When
Mr.. Seibert arrived from Bluffton a long
conference was held and he insisted that he
would not accept the money with any
strings tied to it, Mr.. Holt had had him
self interviewed by the News Tuesday
afternoon after the check had been given
In the interview he asserted that he had
never received any money for his influence
in having the interceptor raised. This con-
clusion was communicated to Mr.. Denny
yesterday morning by his clients. He was
instructed to return the money or accept
it only upon the understanding that no
agreement not to talk about the matter was
binding upon the members of the firm. The
tod fror1 Mr.
He was told to keep it ard was asked mot
to be too hard on Mr. Holt
Mr.. Fulmer and Mr.. Robinson give the
history of the transaction set out above and
Mr.. Robinson has made an affidavit cover
ing the facts. 1t is published elsewhere.
JOHNSON AND TAGGART.
Controller Johnson was asked if it were
true that he had taken up the check and
had paid over the money to Mr.. Denny
II do not care to answer until have seen
the affidavit" said he to Journal reporter.
Later in the afternoon the reporter returned
to Mr.. Johnson with a copy of the affidavit.
After reading it Mr.. johnson would not
deny that he took up the check, neither
would he confirm the statement made by
Messrs. Fumer and Robinson. He said the
affidavit was inaccurate in some respects,
but did not specify in what respect.
my connection with the matter" said he,
was of a confidential character. was act
ing as a friend. ! do not care to say any
thing about it.
But one inference can be drawn from this
If it we're not true that he had taken UP
the check and had paid the money to Mr.
Denny, it is claimed, he would have very
promptly said so. Mr.. Holt was his friend
and if he could have denied the charge he
would have been only too glad of the op-
portunity.
Mayor Taggart says that ne knew nothing
about the money being returned. He was
found at his hotel yesterday afternoon.
1T is said that you were at the hotel
when Mr.. Denny called" said the reporter.
II am very frequently here"
But it is said you were present in the
room when the check was given"
'That is not the case. 1 was with Mr..
Holt when Mr.. Denny came. We shook
hands and I retired. What took place at
the interview L do not know"
Mr.. Johnson is quoted as saying that he
telephoned Mr.. Holt and Mr.. Denny to meet
at the Grand Hotel, as he thought they
Ought to get together When Mr. Denny
arrived Mr.. Johnson says he remained
moment and then retired
ALL THAT DENNY WOULD SAY.
Mr.. Denny was seen at his residence on
North Pennsylvania street last night by
Journal reporter, who asked him if it were
true. as his client says. that Mr.. Johnson
took up the check. Mr. Denny had courte-
ously warned the reporter in advance that
he reserved the privilege of refusing to
answer questions. He declined to say that
Mr.. Johnson had or had not taken up the
check.
Il have acted as an attorney in this mat
ter" said he, and not otherwise. All that
said to the interested parties and those
called into counsel by them was said in d
confidential way and all that L heard said
was received in the same way. l must ask
you, therefore, to excase me from saying
anything whatever about the matter"
There does not appear to be any reason
why Mr. Denny could not have denied that
Mr.. Johnson took up the check and gave
him the money if he had not done so.
HOLT DECLINES TO SAY MORE.
Sterling r. Holt was quoted in the after
noon Taggart organ yesterday as fatty
denying the transaction. as declaring that
Robinson's affidavit was not true, that he
did not agree to pay the Fulmer-Seibert