The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-11-07
Police Used Tools by the Demo-
cratic Managers at 31S West
Sixteenth Street.
WILLIAM C. MILLER ARRESTED
HE is CHARGED WITH KEEPING Me-
GROEs FROM POLLS.
All Kinds of Dirty Schemes Worked
i'm an Attempt of Democrats
to Carry County.

The plan of the Democrats to manage the
colCred vote was exposed at SIS West Six
teenth street in the eighth precinct of the
Third ward yesterday afternoon. IT be-
came known that the Democrats had thirty
or forty colored men locked in an upstairs
room, where they were to eat and drink
and play cards or craps, whichever they
chose, until after o'clock For putting
In the day in this manner they were to re-
ceive 81 apiece.
I When the scheme was discovered,
crowd gathered in the street in front of the
building and demanded the release of the
colored men.
William G. Miller, who runs the barber
shop at the Grand Hotel and is Mayor Tag
CARTS chief tool among the negroes, was
working on the outside, as stated by
many of those present, soliciting negroes
to go up to the room and remain during
tho day. When a demand was made for
the release of men. Miller said there were
no men in the building, but refused to al
low anyone to enter. Threats were made
that the building would be entered forci-
bly,, because of the unfairness OF keeping
the colored men away from the polls, and
to this Miller smilingly replied. "I'll see if
you come into this building" He disap-
reared for short time The significance
of his remark was not appreciated until
suddenly there appeared four platoons Of
police on the grounds. The police stationed
themselves in front Of the building to see
that no one entered the building.
REPUBLICANS CALLED.
Harry 3. Gates and Clint Hare were in
charge OF the ward, and when they were
informed at once went to the scene. They
asked the police to enter the building and
investigate, but this was refused, the ex-
cuse being that they had right to go
inside. In the meantime a warrant was
sworn out by United States Commissioner
Moores for Miller. on a charge of intimi-
dating voters, and he was arrested by a
deputy United States marshal. William
Holt, manager of the Grand Hotel, imme-
diately furnished bond for Miller. Miller
was not seen the remainder of the even
ing about the place where the trouble took
place.
Prosecutor Pugh was called, and Levi
Jasper and James Jameson were taken into
his buggy and driven uptown to make affi-
davtts against men in the building for
gambling and other charges. Both say they
were in the room, and that twenty-five
men were being held there to keep them
away from the polls. When Jasper started
was allowed TO leave when he expressed
his determination to go. Jameson also says
he was asked not to leave. Afhdavits
were issued against several of the men,
but when the constables arrived the men
in the rooms had escaped, and only one.
James Mansfield, known as "Jack-the-Rip-
per-" was arrested. 1t is supposed the
others jumped out of window. n win
dow was broken, and this is said TO have
been their avenue OF escape.
POLICE RETICENT.
The police refused TO give any irforma-
ton at the building. They said nothing
was the matter, and when Sergeant Glib
bin was asked about the matter he re-
piled: "Oh, nothing. There is just fellow
or two up here who have been making asses
of themselves. A window fell down and
smashed and somebody said two shots had
been fred
but what about this crowd that is said
to be locked imp was asked.
There's nothing in that at all. The COL
ored voters simply have a club room up
here and they object to having all this
mob come in and destroy their property.
There may be some men in there but they
have right to be. Members of the club
| are perhaps in the room and are serving
refreshments, but they have a right to do
that. We are simply here to protect prop
erty."
Other arrests yesterday for alleged H.
| legal voting were Fred Zimmerman, 1901
| Montcalm street; Il. M. Thompson, al Vir-
| ginia avenue; W. II. Taylor colored 4Oe
| West North street; Jack Reddpn, colored
| 405 West North street.
In many other places in the city yester-
| day colored voters were locked in rooms
| furnished with everything they wanted and
| paid by the Democrats to stay away from
| the polls.
Polser's saloon was rendezvous of this
| kind.