The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-10-31
HICKS ROBBERY AND A SAFE BLOW
ING BEING TRACED TO 1T.
Guy Van TasseI and Others Trapped
Fine Work of PatroImen
Asch and DuEan.

Baney's Hinshaw murder story; II. c. Cor
ham, a cigar maker and ex-convict; F. A.
Wright painter and ex-convict, and J. +.
Kennedy man of whom the police know
little. The patrolmen above mentioned were
assisted in the case by Patrolmen Mathey
and Haley, but the detective department
had nothing to do with the case.
The most startling development in the
Monrovia case is that John Q. Hicks one of
the farmers who were robbed, is now sus-
pected of having engineered the job. He
has disappeared.
Last Monday morning Samuel and John
O. Hicks drove into the city and told the
police of daring robbery which had been
committed early the night before. They
live near Monrovia. in Morgan county
Samuel has a small farm and runs buck
ster wagon. which has recently been driven
by his brother, John Q. Samuel is married
and has three children. His brother made
his home with him. The story of the rob-
berry was published i'm detail in last Tues
days Journal. The Hicks family retired
early and had just gone to sleep when the
side door of the house was kicked open and
three masked men entered. They bound the
two Hicks brothers and Mrs. Hicks and the
children and searched the house. They
took 1886 from under Samuers pillow and
$l2 out of Johns pocket. Then they ate
some pumpkin pie, drank some milk and
departed.
Monday morning a man living on River
avenue called the attention of Patrolmen
Asche and Dugan to the house at No. 1877
He said there was young man and woman
living there, and the place had a suspicious
appearance. People came and went at all
hours of the night. The patrolman made
an investigation and learned that the occu-
pants of the house were H. c. Gorham and
Cora Richards. They also learned that
Guy Van Tassel was one of the visitors to
the house and that other men known to be
crooks were seen going there. 1t was
learned that Gorham had displayed con-
siderable money of late, had patronized the
barrooms literally and had spent consid-
cradle money for livery. 1t was also found
that Gorham had not worked since his re-
lease from the penitentiary, a few weeks
ago.
THE RAID ON THE HOUSE.
Tuesday night Patrolmen Asche, Dugan
and Haley, armed with warrant charging
Gorham and the woman with maintaining
improper relations, went to the house. 1t
was about 1 o'clock in the morning, but
Gorham was not at home. They said moth
ing about the warrant, but concluded that
Gorham would return at an hour when he
knew it was not customary for the police
to be on their districts. The West Indian
4pols day patrolman leaves for this side of
the river at o'clock At about $50 O'clock
Wednesday evening Patrolnen Mathey and
Asche went to the house and arrested the
woman, Gorham, Wright and Kennedy,
charging the last two with lettering
Wednesday night Patrolmen Dugan and
Haley searched the house, and while they
We're there there came knock at the door.
Dugan had his coat and helmet off and
jacket over his vest, SO that no part of his
door: A man asked for Gorham.
Won't you come IMP" asked Dugan-
No; was just looking for Gorham" re-
Piled the man, and / can come back
He will probably return soon. You'd bet
ter come in, persuaded the patrolman.
NO. ed, / don't want" and the fellow edged
the arm and dragged him inside and
searched him. A skeleton key found in his
pocket convinced the police that he might
be a good man to keep, and he was placed
under arrest. He gave his name as Frank
Williams, of No. 176 South East street. The
police were expecting that Guy Van Tassel
might come to the house. They did not
know him, but had a description. They
asked the prisoner if he knew Van Tassel,
and received the reply that he had never
heard the name before.
On Thursday the inquiry was continued,
ard then John Q. Hicks's connection with
the robbery was learned. He came to this
city Saturday and went Saturday afternoon
to the house ON River avenue, where he
met Gorham and Van Tassel and possibly
wright and kennedy. He remained with
them Saturday night, and left shortly be-
fore noon Sunday. 1t was also learned that
he had served a term in the penitentary
at the same time that Van TaSSel and Cor
ham were there.
Thursday the entire police force looked
Tor John .. Hicks In the city. He was not
nEtA tor 1rxy <.r.4n1 -
Patrolmen Dugan and Asche took a train
for MooreSville and drove from there over
to the home of Samuel Hicks. expecting to
find John there. They returned last night
without the man, and with the information
that he had not been seen in the neighbour
hood since he came to the city Monday
with his brother to report the robbery.
Monday morning man by the name of
= Mclntire went with Samuel Hicks to the
home where the robbery occurred. He took
a pair of bloodhounds with him and tracked
the robbers as far toward this city as
Plainfield. But before he started the dogs
on the scent he found valuable piece of
evidence. Under the window where the
robber had stood after the robbery and
warned the Hickses to remain quiet while
q vehicle was passing on the road McIn-
evidently been dropped by the robber. In
one corner of the handkerchief was the
word Van in indelible ink.
DONAHUE TAKEN IN CAMP.
Last night man by the name of Daniel
OOudnue, lN1tlS on GelSenQOru street, was
taken TO the police station and questioned.
1t had been learned that he had been with
Van Tassel, Gorham and John Hicks on
Sunday. At first he denied everything, but
finally admitted that he had been with
them. He saidShe went out to the road
house at Mount Jackson and met the three
men. They had a horse and buggy and
were with two women, who had another.
After drinking little, Hicks and the two
women entered one buggy and -Icnahue,
Van TaSSel and G0rham got into the other
They all drove west. Donahue claims not
drove q mile or two and a dispute arose.
Donahue says he then changed places with
Hicks, and drove pack to the city with
the women, and the other three men con-
tinued west.
Cora Richards, the woman arrested with
the men, at first declined TO talk about the
men, but yesterday she was induced to tell
what she knew of them. The police do not
believe, however, that she has told every
thing, but she told enough to furnish sew
said: Il do not know what Gorham has
been doing since we have been living over
there. He has very irregular hours Some
nights he would be out until midnight, and
would bring other men with him sometimes.
| always left the door open, and rarely
knew what time he came in Saturday
evening Hicks came 10 the house. Gorham
and Van Tassel We're already there. All
three went awav together, and did not get
back until nearly morning. They slept
awhile during the morning and just before
noon Hicks left. After dinner GOrham and
Van rassel drove away in a buggy. They
did not return until o'clock Monday morn
ing"
Neighbors say the buggy containing Van
TaSSel and GCrham returned to the house al