The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-11-19
PATENT MEN INDICTED
MESsRs. THURMAN, sILvIUs AND
BURGESS CHARGED WITH FRAUD.
Two of Them Arrested by Federal Au-
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Were the
Alleged Victims.

John S. Thurman, E. T. Silvius and ]. c.
Burgess were indicted by the federal grand
jury yesterday, charged with using the
mails for a fraudulent purpose. Mr.. Silvius
has acquired some prominence as a patent
attorney during the past year, and there
is a strong belief among the federal OIL
Gals that he is innocent of the charge, and
that his only connection with the circum-
stances lies in the fact that he was con-
nected with the firm of Thurman & Silvius,
patent attorneys, which was dissolved last
January.
1t is charged that a large number of cir
culars were sent out in the name OF the firm
soliciting the patronage of inventors, and
that several of those who responded re-
ceived letters from the firm recommending
j. c. Burgess as a man who sold inven-
tions to advantage and promoted manu-
featuring companies to handle patented de-
vices. When Burgess got into communica-
ton with the victim he would write that
money was required for this purpose and
that, and would systematically work" his
man for all he could, doing nothing in the
way of advancing his interests. Burgess is
a blacksmith by trade, but has not worked
at his trade for some years. Thurman
after the dissolution of the partnership
with Silvius last year, an office of his
own for while and then went to st.
Louis. The St. Louis authorities were no
tilted yesterday to arrest him. Silvius,
after the dissolution, opened an Office in
the Talbot block and has an excellent rep
utation among the men with whom he has
done business. 1t is estimated by the au-
thorites that Thurman and Burgess
cleaned UP over 5000 by their scheme.
Deputy marshals secured the streets for
Burgess all day yesterday, but were un-
able to find him until o'clock in the even
ing. when Messrs. Foley and Branham
found him at his home on Bradshaw street
He was with his wife at the time and de-
clared Indignantly that there must be some
mistake, that he was not the man. ON the
way to the Jail, however, he was not so
certain, and tried to find out how much of
a sentence he was likely to get if he should
plead guilty. When seen at the jail by a
Journal reporter he denied all knowledge
of the matter, mo man Is guilty until he
forty-six years old and had lived here six
teen years "off and on" He said he was
a blacksmith, but had not worked any
After landing Burgess the deputies went
to the home of Silvius, on Broadway. His
wife said he was down town, and they
found him at his office at work upon some
specifications for a patent device. He took
the matter as a joke when informed tnat
ne was wanted, and laughed about it, When
they insisted that they were in earnest he
became very much distraught over it, but
went with them to the marshals office,
when District Attorney Wishard was sent
for. Il haven't anything to say to any of
the newspapers" said he when a Journal
reporter asked him what he had to say of
the charge. 1T ought not to be published.
for 1t will ruin my business, and, besides,
l don't know what the charge is" The
matter was briefly explained to him, and
he said: IF there was anything of the
/ knew
fortunately l was a partner of Thurman,
and the partnership cost me about $1,000
through his habit of squandering money I
have known nothing of his movements since
we quit last January, and / am just be-
ginning to get on my feet again. / know
nothing Of Burgess except that he has oc-
casionally been in the office when Thurman
and l were together. He had some legiti-
mate work done and paid for it, and that
was as far as my acquaintance with him
went"
1t was arranged to keep Silvius under sur
VIGILANCE until to-day, when the district at
torney will ask that his bail be reduced to
$500