The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-02-15
TRIAL LASTS Ill DAY
EMPLOYMENT AGENCY MEN HEARD
IN THE POLICE COURT.
George w. Ellis Is Placed Under
Heavy Bond-Many Witnesses Called
Two More Men Arrested.

Wyatt, alias Charles Wright, began yes
terday morning in Police Court at 3 a. m.
and continued throughout the day until
after 6 D. m. About thirty witnesses for
the prosecution were present besides a
large number of spectators who had had
dealings with Ellis, but had not made COM
plant or been summoned as witnesses.
The evidence, which resulted in Ellis
being bound over to the grand jury, win
bond fixed at 1900. was to the effect that
he had received money from persons look
ing for employment upon promise that
they should be given positions, which, at
the time of the payment of the "registra-
ton fee he did not have under his con-
troll. At the conclusion of the testimony
for the State the defendants attorneys
moved that he be discharged on the ground
that the State had not mad a case against
him. but Judge Daily quickly overruled the
motion and asked for the testimony of the
defense, which was not ready.
There vas some talk of continuing the
case for the purpose of bringing into court
persons who had authorized Ellis to secure
help for them and those who had secured
positions through his assistance. Judge
DAILY said he was, from the evidence of
the State, convinced that Ellis had been
conducting a fraudulent cuisines and
that considerable testimony bearing direct
ly upon the transactions which had been
aired in court would have to be presented
in order to change his mind. Ellis's at
torneys then allowed him to be held to the
grand jury without presenting any evil
dence.
Wright was shown to have received
money from at least two persons and was
also bound over. he replying TO a ques-
ton by Judge DAILY that he had continued
his connection with Ellis after learning
of the nature of the business conducted,
| even though he was there only as a clerk.
He testified hat he had been connected
and was contemplating starting an office
here in partnership with a man named
Ingersoll, who was associated with Z. H.
Willard and also with Ellis.
TWO OTHERS ARRESTED.
While the trial of Ellis and Wright was
in progress Detectives Splann and Thorn
ton arrested and took to the police sta
ton James r. Stephens and Clark H. Had
ley, who were also conducting an "em-
ployment' agency in the rooms recently
vacated by Ellis, in the Phoenix block, at
160 East Market street. The concern was
conducted under the name of the State
Employment and Business Agency, and
though stephens and Hadley claim they
were conducting a legitimate business, the
detectives say their operations were SINH
lar TO those of Ellis and Wyatt and E: H
Willard, who was recently convicted here
and later sent to Milwaukee for trial on
charges of grand larceny.
Complaint was made yesterday against
Stephens and Hadley by o. p. Shelley,
William s. Johnson and James Stansberry,
who claim that after paying Stephens 81
each they were sent to Phew's farm, about
six miles from the city, where it was said
they could procure work. Johnson. in
order to get there as soon as possible, hired
a horse and buggy, but on his arrival was
told that no men were needed and none had
been asked for. Stephens said Phew had
given him no order to send men to him
but he had secured the order through
his father-in-law, Louis Dillahunt, OF
Washington township, who told him he
understood Phew wanted men with fam.
lilies.
Stephens was formerly associated with
Ellis and separated at the time of Ellis's
removal from the Phoenix building to 36h
East Washington street, when he took the
rooms vacated by Ellis. During the foul
days they were in business there records
show they received money from twenty.
seven men and women. Receipts without
signatures, similar to the following, were
L slNGH. ACCt1NG VI - dppllCduL HI
position as - the sum of s.. Regis
tration and services being for the term o.
thirty days"
STEPHENS'S REMARK.
When arrested Stephens insisted that h,
should not be locked UP and said to tn,
detectives: eff I have done wrong I bel
to be excused"
Hadley had several letters from his wife
who lives at 1916 Fountain avenue, st
Louis, which indicated that he had beer
financially embarrassed for some time, bu
a recent letter shows he had written Il
his wife that he had succeeded in fndinf
something to do and expected to send fol
her shortly.
Stephens had in his possession a letter
from "A. G. Snider, in which Snider mad,
a complaint of money which he claimed
stephens had procured from him by falls,
~pretenses and threatened TO make troubl,
for him unless the money was returned
The detectives think Stephens has beer
In other cities and that. he is wanted fol
similar offenses lsewhere.
The detectives say the number of per
sons opening employment" agencies In
Indianapolis and the ease with which the,
prevail upon the poorer classes and tn,
unemployed to pay them money is aston
ishing. All that seems to nave been neces
sary was enough money to pay for classi
fed advertisements in the papers and a,
office in which to receive applicants. Othe
offices of the same character are bein,
watched and it is probable more arrests
will follow.
John Lawn. William Shea, James Wet
Der and Oliver Hackney, charged witt
burglary and theft of $35 worth of WOO
CLIPPINGS, rubber n metal from Mr.
Friedman, were given a hearing yesterda,
in Police Court and bound over to tn