The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-02-26
BURKE U GUILTY
JUDGMENT OF CLEVELAND COURT is
THAT HE he DISCARDED.
Anti-Hanna State Senator Who Was
= Charged with ExtOrtiOn and Con-
spiracy in u Divorce Case.

CLEVELAND, o., Feb. Estate Senator
Vernon H. Burke was to-day found guilty
in the Circuit Court of the charges brought
against him. These accused him of being
engaged by Judge Dellenbaugh as attorney
in the Manning alienation case and, as such
attorney, with extorting 10000 from Jane
Doe" in settlement of the case.
Judge Caldwell read the findings of the
court. He said: "As the evidence now
stand before this court we find that Judge
Dellenbaugh and Vernon Fl. Burke were
jointly the attorneys of Nettie A. Manning
during the acts complained of in the first
specification. We previously found that
Judge Dellenbaugh did receive 81, 100, one
third of the fees paid in the Manning case.
and that the weight of the evidence showed
that Dellenbaugh participated in the man
agement of the Manning case up to the time
of the division of the fees. 1t is necessary
for the court to speak of these two men
together in passing on the charges against
Burke, as it is almost impossible to sepa-
rate the facts in each case.
Just prior to the publication of this
case" Judge Caldwell continued, Burke
had a talk with Judge D~issette, in which he
told in detail all the facts in the case.
Judge Dissette states that Burke said Del
Limbaugh told him to go down and strike
Jane Doe for $50, 1000. Jane Doe said she
could not have the story come out. and she
could not raise $4,000. She said she could
raise SIC. 900, which she did raise and gave
to Burke and Dellenbaugh. Judge Dissette
says he told Burke that that was the cold
est-blooded affair he ever heard of.
"Our conclusion" said Judge Caldwell,
lis that Mr.. Burke is guilty as charged in
the first OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES con-
duct involving moral turpitude." Judge
Caldwell said the evidence showed that Mrs.
Manning should not have been given a di-
vorce. There was a conspiracy" he said,
between Judge Dellenbaugh and Burke to
get that decree upon the journal. and we
feel warranted IN placing the guilt equally
upon Burke. We find Burke guilty on both
specifications, and our judgment is tina he
be disbarred." The court then declared the
sentence in both cases to be disbarment.
Notice Of appeal was given in both cases.
and they will be CARED to the Supreme
Court. according TO the announced plans of
soil, for Dellenbaugh, will argue a motion
for a new trial, claiming that the Circuit
Court erred in its findings of fact and in its
judgment. Judge Dellenbaugh can continue
to act as judge of the Common Pleas Court
unless the Legislature should remove him
by impeachment proceedings.
Until a year or two ago Dellenbaugh and
Burke were the closest personal friends.
When NJ. A. Hanna began his campaign for
the United States Senate Judge Dellen-
baugh became one of his most active sup
porters. Burke, on the other hand, as a
member of the Ohio Senate, was the leader
In the State Legislature of the anti-Hanna
movement. This resulted in a bitter quarrel
between Dellenbaugh and Burke. Eventu-
ally sensational runlors were circulated
concerning Judge Dellenbaugh. Burke open
~ asserted that he knew enough to drive
Dellenbaugh from the bench: that he had
divided fees with him in a case which had
been tried before Dellenbaugh as Judge.
Dellenbaugh denied these rumors in open
court, ana asked that the Cleveland Bar
Association investigate them. This was
done, with the result that both Burke and
Dillenbaugh were brought before the Cir
cult Court in disbarment proceedings.