The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-02-25
UNEASY LYNCHERs.
Efforts to Influence Justice Craig by
Threats and Brides.

DrlDes.
Special to the indianapolis Journal.
CROSS PLAINS Ind, via Courier to Os-
sood, Feb. 24-The theory of Attorney
General Ketcham with regard to the lynch
ing of the Levi gang, as brought out by
the questions asked in the Hughes case is
that. there was conspiracy 10 get the pris-
oEeTs all in Jail together. Levi and jenkins
We're out with Constable Steinmetz trying
to secure bond after their preliminary trial
on trumped up charge of being connected
with the robbery at Correct. One of Lewis
friends at Osgood by the name Of Wagner,
had about agreed TO go his bond. A con-
sultation of the lynchers was held and some
was hurried off to Osgood to defeat
Lewis efforts to get bond and Wagner
promised not 10 appear This word was
brought back to Steinmetz in Versailles
who then lodged Levi and Jenkins in Jail,
where Gordon, Schueter and Andrews We're
already confined Word was then passed
around that the time for the iynching was
at hand and the mob gathered for its
deadly work 1t was no secret, and had
been no secret for several days. The conf
ing lynching was talked about so freely in
Versailles that Lyle Levi learned it while
out with the constable. He announced TO
would all be lyncned that night Men who
were III this conspiracy. who knew Of the
plan days before have since taken the wit
ness stand and perjured themselves, de-
claring they knew nothing about a lynch
ing until they were called the next morn
ing by their wives or some ore else.
The attorney general believes that he has
had on the witness stand all the ring lead
ers in the lynching-those who planned and
were active in carrying it out: who took
the keys and opened the cell doors and
murdered Henry Scheuter, William Jenkins
and Lyle Levi before stringing them up to
an elm tree ON the banks of Laughery
creek at Versailles, along with Clifford Cor
don and Albert Andrews. the only two who
were not dead and dying before being strung
up These witnesses might have pleaded
the right not to testify for fear of self-in-
elimination. but they simply denied any
knowledge of the affair Forgetfulness,
uncertainty and perjury have been stumb-
ling stones that have blocked the prosecu-
ton at every step.
X. OF p. MEN AS LYNCHERS.
There is one element figures in the failure
Of two grand juries to :ndict the lynchers
of the Levi gang that your correspondent
has not heard mentioned before. 1t Is
pvthianism In the county there are many
knights of Pythias. Several members of
the grand jury that failed TO indict were
Knights it is said. and among the ring
leaders of the mob were also members of
the order. 1t is common gossip here that
this had much to do with the failure of
the grand juries 10 act. among the menu
,Nbers of the order, at any rate.
There is a growing uneasness among the
l1.nchers and their friends. Notwithstanding
their repeated declarations that nothing
will come of the investigation. Pressure
has been brought to bear on Justice Craig.
lie has been approached in an insinuatng
ard roundabout way with both threats of
POISON and promises Of profit e he viii rule
in Il certain way. He does not pay any at
tention to the co yered threats that have
been made nor to the covert offers of brib-
cry. Justice Craig is poor man. bur bears
an irreproachabla character.
There is not a man in the whole number
Of witnesses examined here that was called
before the grand jury. That body pur-
pasels avoided calling any who was sus-
pected of really Knowing anything. Even
If Hughes shall be sent TO the grand jury.
that does not signify that he will ever be
convicted. or even tried He must first be
indicted by the grand jury. Ii another
jury fail to punish after the evidence is
furnished by the attorney general. Gov
efnor Mount will be in a position TO say;
I'VE made heroic efforts: the state is
purged Of being lenent toward the Grim
inaIs, and the blame and shame must lie
With the officers and citizens Of Ripley
county"
Many here say that is all the state Of
iieers hope for. Not man but predicts
that Justice Craig viii find there is no evil
oence 70 hold Hughes. or If he should the
grand jury will tail TO indict. and the case
VIII stand Just as II did before There will