The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-03-02
Brief Proceedings Yesterday Morn
ing. Followed by the Prompt Dis
charge of the Accused Man.
SPEECH OF JUSTICE CRAIG
HUGHES AT ONCE BECOMES THE or
JECT OF CONGRATULATIONS.
The state Has Not Abandoned Its Eff
forts to Punish the Lyncher=, but Is
Not Ready to Announce Policy.
peoiaI to The indianapolis Journal.

CROSS PLAINS, Ind, by Courier to Os-
good. March 1--Justice Craig this morning
at Z o'clock discharged c. II. Hughes. super
intendent of the county infirmary, arrested
a week ago for alleged completely i'm the
lynching of the Levi gang at Versailles last
September The decision was a surprise
even to the defendant and his friends, not
withstanding they insisted all along that he
was innocent of clubbing Henry Schueter
to death in the cell. After the powerful
argument of Attorney General Ketcham
yesterday. who built up a circumstantial
case, not link of which was missing, JUS
tice Craig announced he would reserve his
decision until this morning. This was taken
ominous by the defendants friends who
app.ehended if the justice had been con-
vince ~ the case progressed, that no evil
dence had been produced to hold the defend
ant, he would have at once discharged him.
In this dilemma the good offices of Rev. A.
VI. Lowden, who opened the final proceed
ings with prayer yesterday, were secured,
and he is said to have influenced Justice
Craig in reaching the decision. Justice
Craig said in his brief talk before announce
ing the decision that he had consulted with
a good friend, as the attorneys had advised
him was his right. Rev. Mr.. Lowden spen.
the night with Justice Craig. lie is the pas
There were but few persons in the school
room. During the course of his remarks
Justice Craig warned every one that there
must be no demonstration of any sort. The
fear of arrest kept down any applause that
might have been given the justice. ends
of the accused man rushed forwar,. 20 con-
graduate him. Several shook hands witk
the justice. Among them were Cal"
Skeen, who showed an alibi for Hughes,
and James Mccoy. implicated by the testi-
mony Of Charles Kelly. Both confessed to
the justice that they had made u mistake
in misjudgIng him. Attorney General
Ketcham and Hugh d. McMullen, who rep
resented the State in the proceedings just
ended, sat still a second or two ant. then
arose to leave the little schoolhouse after
they exchanged parting greetings with at
torneys for the defense. 1t was rather dis
cOuraging to them to see the preliminary
work of months and the hard legal battle of
a week destroyed in three minutes. A half
hour later they left for Dillsboro. A little
later they were followed by your corre-
spondent and Orvil II. Stewart the repre-
sentative of a Cincinnati paper, who had
been here through almost the entire pre-
liminary hearing, and the country folks
were rid of those whose presence, had been
so irlIsome.
UNEASY AS TO THE FUTURE.
Mr.. Ketcham said that he could not tell
at presen. wha- further steps would be
taken. He has a case to dispose of at In
dianapolis which may take a week. and
then some developments may be expected.
From his remarks it is evident that, while
battied for the time, he does not consider
himself hopelessly beaten. 1t is understood
that the next case will be against ''Arch''
Wright d former barkeeper of Osgood, al
though the decision yesterday does not pre-
clude further prosecution OF "Hez'' Hughes.
A warrant is out for Wright Mr.. Ketcham
said that previous jeopardy could not be
pleaded in Hughes's case until he could be
tried by a court having broad enough juris-
dction to try and sentence him. AS has
been heretofore published, affidavts for the
arrest of a number Of other ring-leaders
have been made. Tne fact is known hers,
and there was much concern expressed by
vArious influential citizens as to what was
to be done next. Several asked your CORE
spondent If further arrests were TO be made,
but the answer to that question is the at
torney generals secret. There was also
speculation as to whether Mr.. Kctcham was
going back to the State capital. and when
his carriage was seen headed toward Dills-
boro instead Of Versailles or Osgood there
was evidence of intense relief. There is a
feeling of uneasiness, and, while good
many believe nothing further Will be done,
the best posted and most intelligen. men
who listened to the argument--they did not
hear the evidence, as all witnesses were
separated--admit that a very strong cir
CCmstantial case connecting several county
officials and business men with the lynch
ing was made. \ good many heads will lie
uneasy until the AK falls again
The proceedings this morning We're ex-
ceedingly brief. Justice Craig hurried TO
the schoolhouse a good while before any OF
the attorneys arrived. Perhaps Il score OF
spectators from the hamlet and half that
many from other parts of the county who
had remained over night stood with backs
The air was chilly. Overcoats were not dis
carded The hour for the decision was Z
O'clock. When the attorneys were all seated
those for the defendant said they had
minutes after o'clock, sun time, While the
attorneys for the state had I minutes of
o'clock. standard time So far away from
the railroads sun time is in vogue.
Well, ! will split the difference and call
1t o'clock" said Justice Craig, arising.
He stood a moment with uplifted hand be-
fore asking the crowd to find seats. The
scene was impressive. To his right sat Kew.
ter were the attorneys for defendant about
q table. Near them was the defendant, ms
wife and mother On the leit side OF ;l the
q bar of justice, sat Messrs. Ketcham ana
the McAfullens father and son. In the left
hand corner of the room the press repre-
sentatives had two school desks for their
use The Justice, his face furrowed by age
and drawn and tired looking from the try
ing events of the last week. not 10 mention
the threats and intimidation he has en-
dured hesitated moment for words IN
which to speak. He began in nervous
voice that was half apologize, half en-
treating, as no glanced at the attorneys for
the defense. He spoke of the great respou-
eibilfty that he felt rested on him that mo-
ment and which he had felt resting on him
ever since Mr.. ketcham came TO him 4
week ago with the affidavits. he had
prayed for strength To DO his duty aud Wis
dom TO reach a just decision.
JUSTICE CRAIG'S SPEECH.
''There have been times in my life" said
he. with a tremor in his voice, ''as to some
others here. when / have faced death and
danger amid flying bullets on battlefelds
and among the dying. when / saw my COM
Fades falling in death. but the responsibility
was never so great as to-day. never felt
the responsibility then / have felt the last
few days. AS has been known by every
body. have outspokeniy denounced, and
do to-day denounce. mob law. with all the
powers that God has given me. AS / said
tnIns say now: that every man that was
IA hat mob or conspred 70 have those men
hanged are murderers, and should be pun
ished as such 10 the fullest extent OF the
law. This mob put out the lives OF five
robbers and hardened criminals, but by so
doing me- ar iQSR he.