The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-11-19
Commissioners Greer Makes Affidavit
as to His Stealing stun from
the County.
WHAT A SEARCH REVEALED
DETECTIVES FIND MUCH STUFF
BOXED UP IN MEYERS OWN HOUSE.
They Say He Confessed RObbing the
COunty-PrOperty Obtained on
acquisitions.

Flavius j. Meyer, superintendent of the
county asylum was arrested about 8
O'Clock last night on the charge of grand
larceny. The arrest was made by two de-
tectives of the city police department on a
warrant sworn out by County Commissioners
Greer.
Meyer was brought to the police station,
but did not remain there long, as he gave
a 500 bond and was released. 1t is under
stood that Meyer will be charged with APP
propriating to his own use goods furnished
him by the county for the benefit of the I'M
fortunates at the poor farm. 1t was very
difficult last night to get information con-
corning the Meyer affair. County Commits
sloner Greer showed a decided disinclination
to talk about the matter. When asked
about the charges against Meyer he de-
clared there was nothing he cared to say
at this time. He admitted, however, that
the commissioners believe the poor farm
superintendent has been robbing the county.
Mr.. Greer made the further admission that
Meyers populations have been confined to
dry goods and boots and shoes, which have
been sent to the county farm and removed
by him to his own farm, two miles north
west.
haps 800 worth of goods have been sur
reptitiously conveyed by Meyer from the
county farm TO his own home. Mr.. Greer
said last night that the board had been in
vestigating this matter for several days.
The three commissioners visited the poor
farm yesterday morning and openly charged
Meyer with taking the countys property.
What the superintendent had to say to this
charge Mr. Greer declined last night to
make public. However, the warrant charg-
ing the superintendent with grand larceny
was sworn out late yesterday evening after
the commissioners had returned from their
visit.
Superintendent Meyer was appointed three
years ago on the recommendation of Com
missioner Harding. He is about forty-four
years old and has been farmer most of
his life. A few days before the last cleo
ton the County Commissioners were called
On to defend Meyer against charges made
by Democrats. These charges were to the
effect that several months ago complaint
was made to the commissioners that Meyer
was running the poor farm to suit his own
convenience and that affairs about the In
stitution were in very bad condition. At
the time these charges were made the COM
missioners admitted that there had been
some complaint but as the objections to
Meyer had come from people they believed
to be irresponsible they paid little heed to
them. Mr.. Greer was asked last night how
the commissioners discovered these irregu-
larities at the poor farm and declined to
make. statement on this point. He en-
phatically denied that any of the board s
information came through inmates of the
institution. He said that what information
the board had received had come to it since
the election.
WHAT THE DETECTIVES FOUND.
When Detectives Thornton and Kinney
approached the Poor Farm at $50 o'clock
last evening they saw that Meyer and his
family were at dinner. From a front room
lights streamed brightly out into the dark
ness and merry laughter sounded loudly.
The detectives were admitted by Meyer, and
they told him they wanted to see him pri-
vately. He led them into an deliberately
furnished parlor. Thornton drew out the
warrant and read it to Meyer. When he
finished and folded it up, Meyers head
dropped and his facial expression was that
of man in the deepest misery. He became
dull and talked in mumblings. Presently
he called his wife in, and she was told of the
arrest She protested and talked to the
detectives pertly. Meyer did not encourage
his wife in this, and the detectives came to
pity the man. You tell the folks" Meyer
said to his wife, and then prepared to make
the trip to his farm with the detectives.
Meyer. his wife, the detectives and Com
mlssloners McGregor and Harding started
for the farm They had proceeded but a. lit
tie way when one of Meyers brothers met
them; What are you doing with him? he
had arrested him for grand larceny. Then
the brother asked, " 'Flave.' is thus true?"
-. Yes" came the reply, brokenly and low;
Il guess it's kind o. true"
which is one of the most beautiful in that
part of the country. From the road wind
ing cement walks lead to the house and the
shrubbery and lawns are well trimmed and
luxuriant. The county commissioners led
the way to the parlor of the house. The de-
tectives had not visited the place before,
and they stood astounded when the door
was opened. The commissioners during
their morning visit had broken open the
boxes that had contained the goods, and the
room was piled high with all kinds of do
nestle articles of clothing. Piles of shoes
lay at the side of stew pans by the dozen.
and feather busters brushed the sides of
bundles of lamps and lamp chimneys. Mrs.
Meyer began campaign against the war
rant by pulling articles out of the mass and
saying. Il can show receipts for this, and
this. and that She was fast claiming ev-
erything when the men began to load an ex-
press wagon which had accompanied them,
with the stuff. AZ no time did Mrs. Meyer
break down, but instead defended her hus-
cusations of the commissioners and the de-
tectives.
CONFESSED TO THORNTON.
Thornton stood with Meyer while the
wagon was being loaded. You can help
them load up, Ben" he said. you've known
me many years, and you know l wouldn't
run away from YOU" But Thornton still
stood at Meyers side The detective told
him that the charge against him was ter
rible thing. and asked him If it We're true
Yes" said Meyer, its true, and ii is hor-
rible, but l am not the only one that is
guilty" He told Of another man who had
helped him in the robbery, but refused to
tell his name. The identity of the other
man is expected TO develop to-day
Mrs. Meyer told the detectives that the
lamps and kindred goods had been bought
from +. =. Smith, whose store is on North
Illinois street. often when we made pur-
chases," she said, Mr.. Smith gave US
things"
Detective Thornton said last night that he
summed up the case as systematic robbery,
but he pltied Meyer. Meyer would get
requisitions from the County Commission
ers Thornton said, go TO the stores and
procure the goods the warrants authorized
and take them either direct 10 his farm or
first To the poor farm, TO be removed in a
Il. 81. hon