The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-09-18
THE GOVERNORS TWO LETTERS.
Sent to hipley County OfiiciaI-Mr.
MOores's Report.


Deputy Attorney General Moores filed
report with the Governor yesterday of his
investigation of the Versailles lynching.
The report was as follows:
LAS directed by your order, I proceeded
on Wednesday afternoon to Osgood, in Rip
ley county where l found no indications
OF disturbance and consequently went at
once to Versailles. There had been no out
breaks since sunrise, and were absolutely
no signs of further trouble in that vicinity.
las the Ripley Circuit Court was in ses-
sion, l called on Judge Willard New and
assured him of your hearty cooperation in
every effort to enforce the law. Judge New
stated that unfortunately Prosecutor Con-
nelly had been absent from Versailles on
Wednesday, but, having returned, he would
instruct the grand jury at once.
LAS soon court met the grand jury
were called in, and Judge New clearly and
forcibly charged them as to their duty to
bring to justice the murderers of the men
in the charge of the court assuring them
that this was their immediate duty, and
that all other business must yield to it.
Upon the withdrawal of the grand jury,
l had a consultation with the prosecutor,
Marcus r. Connolly who manifests a prop
er spirit of determination to bring the gull
ty to justice, and is proceeding with the
grand jury, as he assures me, to give the
matter the most thorough investigation.
Mr.. Connolly, unfortunately, has no depu-
ty in Ripley county. He does not live in
away. His circuit is large. and his duties
onerous. His duties as prosecutor require
his presence in Vernon Oct a. and In Scots
burg Oct Is, in attendance upon the courts
in his circuit Counsel resident in Ver-
sailleS or Osgood should be Immediately APP
pointed to assist him. He cannot at the
same time procure evidence and advise with
the grand jury, and evidence in cases of
this sort must be sought. 1t does not vol
Lnteer itself. If Mr. Connolly has imme-
date and competent assistance the grand
jury should get the names of the murderers
and evidence of their guilt before the adj
journment of the court.
fc hSn w NO
outbreak in Ripley county, nor is there any
good reason why those engaged in the
crime of last Wednesday morning should
not be discovered. indicted, apprehended
prosecuted and convicted.
Attorney General Ketcham was called
into a conference with the Governor and
Mr. Moores and the Governor afterwards
announced that every effort would be made
to secure the indictment Of the lynchers. He
sent the following letter to Judge Willard
New at Versailles
Il am glad to learn from the Hon. Mer-
rill Moores deputy attorney general, or
YOUR prompt action in calling together the
grand jury and giving to them vigorous
Instructions to probe to the bottom the re-
cent diabolical crime that has furnished the
fair name of our beloved State. 1t was not
for lack of implicit confidence that you
would act promptly and with becoming en-
ergy that I sent Mr. Moores to Versailles,
but because l could get no information
from the sheriff, and because of rumors of
further outbreaks / desire to congratulate
you upon your promptness. and to assure
State will sustain you and aid you in any
lawful way that may be deemed by you
necessary in uncovering and bringing to
justice the perpetrators of this horrible
crime"
The letter sent to Prosecutor Connolly
read as follows:
II am pleased to learn from Mr.. Merrill
Moores, deputy attorney general of the
State, whom / sent to Versailles to investi-
gate and report upon the recent lynching
that there is no further cause for alarm
l am glad to know prompt action has been
taken by Judge New in calling the grand
jury and giving to that body a vigorous
charge to probe to the bottom this out
break of lawlessness and the unjustifable
murder of prisoners awaiting due process
of law
local counsel to aid you in your arduous
and responsible duties during the inves-
LEGATIONS and prosecutions that must follow
the indictments found.
III wish to assure you that the executive
authority of the State will support you in
your efforts to eXpunge from the good
name of Ripley county and of our honored
State this stigma that has been brought
through the recent acts OF mob violence,
and that the perpetrators of this diabolcal
crime shall be brought to Justice.