The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-02-03
John G. Ferris, George VI. Ray and J..
Marsh Wilson Promptly Put Under
Arrest and Heavy Bond.
CHANGE OF VENUE GRANTED
COMMISSIONER AMOS TO APPEAR
BEFORE A SPECIAL JUDGE.
Crowds at the COurthOuse-Chapte of
Accidents-Pclitical Events-Bank
Robbers Found Guilty.
eclal to the Indianapolis Journal.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
SHELBYVILLE, Ind, Feb. 2-The i'm
parchment trial of Commissioner William
Amos. charged with allowing illegal bills
for county supplies, began in court here
this morning The defendant was not pres
ent in person but by his attorneys, John
b. ELAN, of Miller, Elan & Fesler, of In
dianapolis, and Lee F. Wilson, of this city,
presented an affidavit for change OF
venue from Judge Morris, who granted the
motion. Not until about o'clock this aft
ernoon did he select as special judge, l.. III.
Stamford, of Liberty, Ind, who will try
the cause. The courtroom and halls of APP
proach were packed all day by people In
tently watching every step in the proceed
ings.
At 2:17 o'clock this afternoon the grand
jury reported fourteen indictments in the
Doodle cases and were sent back to their
room to continue their Investigations.
Three of the men indicted have been ar
rested on six different true bills.
John G. Ferris, ex-deputy auditor under
e. T. Carson, and at present clerk for
Auditor Gilman. was indicted for filing
and collecting illegal claims in indexing and
copying records. He gave bond for $1,000,
with William Avery and David Lee as sure
ties.
George NJ. Ray, manager of the Shelby
Democrat, indicted in two bills for
presenting false claims for goods that were
never furnished These were the blanks
supposed to be furnished to the county
perintendent, and which led to the suit for
a mandamus demanding 81, 100 now pending
before the Circuit Court. Ray gave bond in
both cases for 900 with his sister, Mary
NJ. Ray, and Reconnaissance Adam a.
Girton, as sureties.
j. Marsh Wilson, ex-treasurer. in
dicted in three bills. one for copying rec
ords in which he received $3.50 for copying
less than fourteen pages one for presenting
a bill for $1,000, alleged to be due Camp
bell, Wild & Co., bankers, of Indianapolis,
without their knowledge or advice. las
is the bill which was first presented and
allowed to Campbell, Wild q Co., as in
terest on county bonds by Commissioners
Amos and Cherry, and was protested by
Commissioner Barnes. Afterwards the bill
was entered for Campbell Wild &
Co., as financial agents of Shelby county
for 1899 under contract. Campbell, Wild
& Co. repudiated the claim and denied all
knowledge of it, The original bill has been
stolen from the files and cannot be found
The third indictment against Wilson is in
stealing the condensed ledger of his Of
flee, containing the records of his Office to
June 80, last. The second count charges
the embezzement of the same book. His
bond was fixed at $1,000 I'm each case with
Adam A. Girton and James Wiles sure
ties.
1t is stated that the next move of the
defendants attorneys Will be motion for
a change of venue from the county al
legng a state of mind inflamed by preju-
dice. All day runners have been out Sc
curing affidavits from different parts of the
county, and two from each township will
be presented tomorrow, so it is said. The
only hope expressed by the defense is for a
delay while Prosecuting Attorney Blair is
straining every nerve to secure an early
trial.
The crowd. while oppressive in the court
room, was very quiet one, although 1t
was easy to discover firm determination
to see justice done. When the grand jury
returned its report but few people were in
the room. the crowd being wearied with the
delay. When the prisoners were brought In,
only court officers and reporters were left.