The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-10-20
Wanted to Collect an Alleged Debt
of $4,000 mt the Muzzles of
Couple of Large RevOIvers.
ARRESTED AND LOCI ~
ON THE CHARGE of ATTEMPTIlN
KILL THE WIRE TRUST MAGNAl
Says He Only Wanted Money, and Did
Not Mean to Infiict Bodily In
jury-Ohce Brought Suit.

CHlCAGO, oct. is. i. MOTIFS VS. er-
rested. this evening. for an alleged attempt
on the life of John W. Gates. ex-president
of the American Steel and Wire Company.
When searched at the police station two
large revolvers were found in his pockets.
1t is asserted that Morris also had designs
on the life of w. ]. Crimson, general man.
ager of the Kansas City & Southern Rail-
road, whom Morris. it is alleged. had en-
ticed to this city by means of a telegram
purporting to have been signed by Gates,
but which he himself had sent. Manager
Crimson arrived at the Grand Pacific Ho-
tel to-day, In accordance with the APP
pointment made in the telegram. Failing
to find Mr. Gates, he called on him In his
office in the Rookery building. After a
hasty consultation the two men decided
that Norris originated the scheme, both
having received threatening letters from
him.
Morris was captured near the Offices OF
the Illinois Steel Company. in the Rookery
building. He was formerly in the employ
of Gates and maintains that the latter
owes him $4,000. Tenants of the Rookery
are said to have overheard the prisoner
making threats to kill Mr.. Gates and the
two men refrained from going to luncheon
at the Grand Pacific Hotel, where, accord
ing to the telegram. they were to have met
Instead, the attorneys for Mr.. Gates, with
Offices in the same building, were notified
and they at once dispatched messenger
to detective headquarters and asked Capt
Collerans assistance. When taken into the
90 ,f
parently. give no ineligible explanation OF
the affair and refused to assign any reason
for being in the possession of the two re-
volvers. Mr.. Gates is q multi-milionaire
and returned but recently from Europe
where he spent the summer.
Norris IS a contractor at 206 La Sale
avenue, Chicago. The two detectives who
had been rushed to the Rookery building
on receipt OF a telephone message from the
Gates attorneys found Morris disputins
angrily with the elevator conductor, who
refused to allow him to ascend. After dis
arming Morris the policemen took him t.
the central station. where he was locked
UP. Morris finally acknowledged that hs
intended to collect an alleged debt aggre
eating $4,000 from Gates and Crimson Al
the muzzle or his revolver.
Morris. who was at one time in the EN-.
ploy OF the Illinois Steel Company. de.
clares that ne was authorized by Gates and
Crimson to expend certain sums OF none,
In the furtherance of the Calumet & Blue
Island Railway. In 1899 Morris brought
suit against Gates. but says he withdrew
the suit the promise of settlement OF
his claim The settlement, he says, ha.
not been effected. Morris. when seen to-
night in his cell. emphatically denied thai
he intended TO inf1ict bodily injury on eithe,
Mr.. Gates or Mr.. Crimson. 'I have known
John w. Gates for the last eighteen years,
said Morris. You can tell him that IL h
has any idea Of truth and justice 1 should
like to know why 1 am here. Yes,
brought suit against them In 1899. and the,
promised settlement, but they did moi
keep their word. W.. w. Irwin, OF 81
Louis, will defend me-"
Charles @. Gates, a brother OF John w
Gates, said: Morris imagines that we ow.
him money. He has taken the gold cure
three times"
Iforris went to the Rookery building dur
ing the afternoon and entered the Of
fee of ]. X Knapp. general attorney fol
the Illinois Steel Company. He imme
diately began talking excitediy. and. draw
ing a revolver. leveled IL at Mr.. Knapp
Spectators threw Morris out OF the Of
hce. and as he went down the corridor h.
shouted that he xaald XIII Gates and Brim
' ION bstoI - - building. Mr.. KNAPP