The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-09-09
BOODLERS AT ST. LOUIS
BENCH WARRANTS FOR EIGHTEEN
ALLEGED BRIBE TAKERS.
Confession of j. X. Murrell, Who Fled,
Returned and Surrendered-A
Corrupt "Combine."

ST. LOUIS, Sept S-A sensation was
caused to-day by the issuance of bench
warrants for the arrest of eighteen mem
bers and former members of the House Of
Delegates on the confession of Delegate J..
K Murrell, who fed to Mexico last spring,
after being indicted for bribery by the De-
cember grand jury in connection with the
alleged boodling operations of the Municipal
Assembly in relation to the granting of
street railroad franchises, and who unex-
pectedly returned to the city and surren-
dered. He is now in the custody of Circuit
Attorney Folk and will, it is stated, be
granted immunity from punishment for
turning states evidence.
Following are the names of alleged COM
bine members for whom bench warrants
were issued, charging bribery and perjury
in connection with suburban street rail-
way and other legislation Ed E. Murrell,
John H. Schnettler, Charles F. Kelly, T. E.
Albright, George f. Robertson, Louis
Decker. John Helms. Charles A. Gutke,
Adolph MADEIRA, II. A. Faulkner, Julius
Lehman, Edmund Bersch, Otto Schu-
macher, John A. Sheridan, Charles J..
Denny. William Tamblyn. ]. j. Hannigan
and Emile Hartman. Warrants were served
on Messrs. E. E. Murrell, Schnettler, Al
bright, Robertson, Helms, Gutke, Faulk-
ner, Schumacher and Hannigan.
Albright and Faulkner were released in
bonds of $4,000 each. The others arrested
were allowed to go to their respective
homes in the custody of deputy sheriffs.
who will remain with them until they
shall have furnished surety for their ap-
pearance in court when the cases are called
for trial. With the exception of William
Tamblyn, who was member of the last
House of Delegates and is now said to be
in Cleveland, all the indicted delegates are
believed to be in the city. Delegate Kelly
telephoned to the district attorney tonight
that he would surrender tomorrow morn
ing and give bond. The police are watch
ing the bridge and other possible avenues
of escape from the city, and 1t will be diff
cult Tor any OF the indicted men to re-
main long out of the hands of the law.
j. h. Murrell made statement for pub
lication to-day, in which he said II held
the key to the box in the Lincoln Trust
to go to the House of Delegates upon the
passage of the suburban bill. This money
was put up as the purchase price for the
been agreed upon. The combine of the
House of Delegates was composed of nine
teen men: This combine held frequent
meetings in the room adjoining the House
Of Delegates chamber There most of the
schemes to get money for votes were con-
cocted. When the suburban matter came
up before the combine / was selected TO
negotiate with Philip Stock, the representa-
tive of the suburban railway, to the best
price We could get for our votes upon the
passage of the BILL Shortly before the
suburban bill was passed the combine sold
votes on the lighting bills for s47,5OG This
money was handled by Kelly and was paid
to the members of the combine at a meet
ing arranged for that purpose at Julius
Lehmann's house. Each member of the
combine received 81 500"