The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-03-27

10 attend this meeting. The committee re-
tired and on its return the proceedings corr
tinued:
COMMISSIONERS SIDE.
Mr.. Barry-I had an interview with Com
missioner Crane, and ne said that, upon
complaint of Capt. r. A. Ray. u. s. A..
which was sent up here to him, he had held
this man: that the man had been given a
hearing, and the cash bail bond fixed at
60 200. and that he had sent down to Yukon
for the witnesses for this man, and also for
the witnesses for the prosecution also for
the complainant, Captain Ray. HE stated
that he had secured advices that Captain
Ray left Fort Yukon last Monday and was
on his way up here and that the witnesses
for the defense were also on their way He
Informed me that as soon as these people
arrived he would give hearing in this mat
ter. He was provoked that we should hold
a miners meeting, as he had done what he
thought was right; he had given the man
private hearing; that the prisoner knew
what the charge was, and that the bail had
been placed at $500.
The Chair-I would like to have state
ment from Mr.. Harrington of the firm OF
Poot & Harrington saloon keepers. He is
a man you all know and will make a state
nent bearing on the case.
George Harrington-This man came into
our saloon the day he was arrested and
asked for money to pay freight on his grub.
There was a freight bill of SIS, and he said
he would give me the goods to hold until
he could pay the money if I put up for the
freight. So 1 took the goods and he was ar
rested shortly after. Mr.. Crane came after
the goods. He showed me the letter from
Captain Ray and he took the goods, paying
me the sS5 out of his own pocket. Mr.. Case
said that if there was no case against the
man he would give back the goods.
Doctor Watkins-Was this man formally
held on an affidavit or on a letter? Who is
the accuser?
Coppersmith-Just a letter from Captain
Ray
Doctor Watkins-It looks to me that as
American citizens and in the name OF
American citizens, we ought to demand this
mans release.
Chairman would like to have Mr. Har-
Of Captain Rays letter.
Mr.. Harrington-It simply stated, Hold
this man and take and hold the goods" 1t
then stated that the man had represented
himself as a pauper, and had obtained an
learned since that he had money to pay
freighter, and, further. he was suspected of
having robbed the n. A. T. & T. company's
store.
s. NJ Graff-This man has been illegally
held on suspicion. and now the suspicion
appears to be without foundation. l. there
fore, move that a committee of three be ap-
pointed by the chair to wait on Mr. Crane
and inform him of this meeting and its
sense, and to ask the release of the pris-
oner
Edward McConnelI-We will either have
good law or we will have our own law.
The chair appointed Mr.. Graft, Mr.. Nc
Cornell and Walter Cooling committee to
wait on the commissioner. On their return
they reported:
Mr.. Craft will state to the meeting that
Mr.. Crane positively declines to do as re-
quested. He states that he is doing what he
thinks is right, and when asked why he did
not come to the meeting, he tapped the
glass with his pencil and repeated, 81 think
/ am doing what is right" He simply ig-
nores the meeting.
MINERS RAID THE JAIL
Mr.. McConnell-If it is in order, make a
motion, and / want it to go on record, with
my name as mover, that this meeting go in
a body and demand the keys of Mr.. Crane,
and, if he does not give them up, that we
take battering ram and turn the prisoner
loose. / also wish to move that Mr. Crane
be compelled to return the man his pro-
visions that he brought up the river.
Mr.. Grah-Mr. Crane says if the people
are so anxious to see the man released,
why don't they go on his bond? '(Cries of
Question" Question:
Captain Dixon-Here are men coming ev-
cry day from Fort Yukon who report, as
Nr. Crane has told you, that Captain Ray
will be here in few days. Now, if there
are people here who want to release that
man, let them go on his bond until Captain
Ray arrives Don'tNlet us take this thing
in our hands too much. We don't know
whom we are going to fight Now, let us
60 on this mans bond for $500 I am will
ing to give 500. Now, let the balance of you
do the same, or sign for as much as you
feel justified in assuming. There are enough
here TO make up a bond for $780,
Mr.. Mcconnell wish to reply to Captain
Dixon in order to show am not taking in
ferior means
Captain Dixon-If we break the door of
the jail down we are breaking the law and
making criminals of ourselves.
After a lot of words back and forth Chas
J. Roth made ringing talk in behalf of
law and order, that the bond should be
made up and not resort to unlawful means.
He defended at length Mr. Cranes position
In the matter, but after it being put to
vote, the miners decided by a large ma
jority vote to take the law into their own
hands.
Mr.. McConnell-Let US all retire in a body
and give this boy a chance to spend his
days among his friends.
Thereupon about forty of the more en-
thusiastic participants in the meeting pro-
ceeded to the Jail. and, upon being refused
the keys. broke it open by force, against
the protest of Marshal Dunn, and liberated
the prisoner and his outfit, and then all adj
5ourned to the saloon of Poot & Harring-
ton.
Mr.. Crane says he is Indignant because the
citizens of Circle City had decided some
time ago to abandon the old-tirne way of
melting out justice by the crude means OF
miners meeting" and he had not been
given chance at least to prove that law
and order was the most satisfactory. The
TACT that during the two months OF the
commissioners reign not a crime or misde-
meanor had been reported C. SM
H
FROM LAKE LINDERMAN.