The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-04-23
THE ARREST OF CORYDON
WAS ACCOMPLISHED BY EXERCISE
OF PATIENCE AND STRATEGY.
He Was Hiding Under the Floor at
His Home-MOther and Sisters
Fought the Police.

Detectives Asch, Dugan, Lancaster and
Griffin and Sergeant Corrigan yesterday
arrested Martin Corydon. a notorious bur-
glar and safeblower, for whom the police
have been looking for some time. The ar
rest was made amid considerable excite
ment, and but for the fact that Corydon
had no revolver with him at the time
there might have been different ending.
He is known to the police as a desperate
character, and is but twenty years of age.
Last night at roll call he was taken before
the assembled patrolmen that all might
make his acquaintance.
Six or seven months ago the home. of
John Corners, on South West street, was
entered during the night by two men. Mrs.
Corners was awakened by the noise of the
men and she awoke her husband, who got
up to see what was going on. He sur
prised the men and remarked: what do
you want here. you devils?" when shot
was fired, the bullet taking effect in Con-
nerss thigh. The men made their escape
but it was thought from the description OF
them that Corydon was the one who did
the shooting.
Several days ago the detectives were told
that Corydon was in the city, and they be-
gan at once a search for him. From in
formation received it was thought he
would be found at the home Of Mrs. Cal
lahan, in West Indianapolis, and they went
there about o'clock yesterday morning
They searched the house, but were unable
to find Corydon. They then went to Cory
don's home, at 654 South West street The
house was surrounded, and the officers
heard talking inside. Asch and Corrigan
went to the door and asked for a brother
of Martin, who is also wanted by the po-
lice. They were told he was not there and
permission was refused to search the house
but it was done, and Martin could not be
found. When the women of the house
opened the door they made some excuse
for the delay. saying they had stumbled
over chairs. The officers were also much
surprised to find there Daniel Callahan
whom they left in the home of his mother
1901 Oliver avenue. West Indianapolis
which they had searched. How he got
there they did not know. but he had beer
swifter than they. The detectives were
satisfied that Corydon was in the house
and ii was searched again. but he was no,
found. Finally one of the men outside
heard noises which seemed to come from
the ground, and Ii was decided that Cory.
don was in the cellar. Entrance was made
from the outside, but he was not found
At last a small trap door was discovered
in the kitchen, and over the door was the
kitchen cupboard. 1t was then seen that
the man they were after was under the
house. hiding between the ground and the
joists of the first floor. 1t was with great
difficulty that he was got out, and then he
almost succeeded in getting away from
Corrigan and Asch, with the assistance oi
his mother and sisters, who fought then
until the men on the outside were called
in. Corydon had no weapon on him. anC
said that If he had been armed the officers
never could have taken him from the
house. Callahan was arrested. and frs
charged with interfering with officers OF
the law, and later with assisting criminal:
to escape.
II was found that under the house much
preparation had been made for hiding This
trap door opened into a narrow passage.
way dug out all around the inside of the
foundation The passageway led to the
far corner OF the house, where Corydor
hid.
Corydon has served a term in the work
house here. and about eighteen months age
house, having been found with burglar anc
safe-blowing tools in his possession. Tive
companions at that time were sent to tn.
penitentiary. His six months sentenc,
here was for slashing Neil Sullivan with
knife. Ii is also said that he was connect
| ed with a safe-blowing at a station on the
Pennsylvania Railroad. southwest of In
diana DOlis