The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-05-13
UNCLE SANS PRISONERS
A BIG BATCH OF THEM BROUGHT
BEFORE JUDGE BAKER.
Fifty-Nine Indictments Found by the
Grand Jury-COunterfeiters and
Postofiice Burglars.

The United States grand jury was ex-
cused yesterday at noon, after returning fif-
ty-nine indictments, most of them for viola
tion of the revenue and postal laws. Among
them, however, are a large number of coun-
terfeiters and some pension cases. Twenty
two of the prisoners indicted at this ses-
sion were called before Judge Baker at 2
o'clock yesterday and a~rraigned. OF the
whole lot but two pleaded guilty. These
were James Underhill and Dorsey Tyler,
members of the Underhill crowd of coun-
terfeiters caught at Lafayette last month.
There were five young men in this gang,
engaged in passing counterfeit halves,
quarters and nickels. 1t is supposed that
they were made by Samuel Cotrell, who
formerly resided at Muncie. He was also
captured. Cotrell, George Earl and Obed
Underhill pleaded not guilty. The last
named is a boy of nineteen, upon whose
person two counterfeit nickels were found.
James Underhill, it is understood, proposes
to turn States evidence. He declared that
the whole gang is guilty.
A notable prisoner among those arraigned
was Jesse Way, a counterfeiter seventy
four years old, who has spent forty-fve
years of his life in prison. His home is in
Randolph county, and he had been out of
prison but a few weeks when he was found
with ten counterfeit halves in his possess
sion. Judge Baker questioned him closely
wnen he was brought before the court, and
when asked what his occupation was his
mumbled reply was SO weak that it was en-
tirely lost among his snow white whiskers.
Among the men arraigned yesterday was
Charles Miller, alias Bob Wilson, alias John
Doe. He was arrested at North Vernon a
couple of months ago with a lot of postage
staInp and due stamps in his possession.
He is supposed to be a professional burglar.
He declared, in answer to the questions of
the court, that he lived in Iowa, and said
his occupation was that of laborer, though
his white hands and neat clothing rather
belied the tatements 1t is thought that he
obtained the stamps found in his possession
by robbing a postoffice in Kentucky. Among
the men arraigned was Jerry Karsner, of
Monticello, whose jealousy got him into
trouble a few weeks ago. He saw a letter
written by his sweetheart deposited in the
poStoffice and distracted it. When he
found it was addressed to another girl he
returned it to her and she had him ar
rested for rohbing the mails.
George Pittman. George Barnard, William
Barnard, Oliver Justice, Martin Haslinger,
charged with passing counterfeit money in
the shape of silver coin in various parts of
the State. were arraigned and pleaded not
guilty. Harry Jones was in for calling for
mail of other people without their author
ity at the Indianapolis postoffice. Charles
and Henry Rinear were indicted for bur
glarizing the poStofice at Laketon. John
Kebdrick, of Butlerville, was charged with
passing a forged pension check for $36.
Without exception the prisoners declared
that they had neither money, property nor
credit and the court appointed lawyers to
defend them. Their cases were set for Vari-
GUS DAVIS next week.