The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-05-17
His Family, Assisted by senator Bev-
erfdge and Other Indiana officials,
Trying 40 Save His Life.
SUIT OVER A CITY ELECTION
SEVERAL PERSONS INJURED IN COLI
LIsIOSs AT LAFAYETTE.
Body Found I'm the Ohio Identified as
William GuIIy-FOur Persons Ar
rested Accused of His Murder.


Special 70 the Indianapolis Journal
EVANSVILLE, Ind, May 16--Now that
the fact has become known that strong
movement has been on foot for a year past
10 save the life Of William Rhea, young
man OF good family OF Posey county. In
diana, who is under sentence or death IN
Nebraska for murder. parties connected
with the case are willing to talk
When fourteen years old young Rhea ran
away from home and became a jockey
using fictitious name. For i've years MS
Family heard nothing Of him. The boys
father spent large sums OF money in trying
&c find the youth. but finally gave UP, be-
lieving the boy dead The mother of the
lad died OF q broken heart
little over a year ago Rhea wrote to
his father, telling the latter that he was
then in the Nebraska penitentiary awaiting
execution for murder. He appealed TO his
father to try and save his life. This was
the first intimation that the parent had Of
the whereabouts of the boy. Being a man
Of means and wide influence. the elder
Rhea went to work to save the life OF his
son. Influential IndianIans. including men
J high In the politics of the country. were
made acquainted with the facts. and they
united I'm a petition TO the Governor Of Ne
bs aska asking that he commute the SEN
tence OF the youth 10 life Imprisonment.
Pressure was so strong that the Governor
granted a reprieye until July of the present
vlcted OF crime, and this fact brought on a
clamor against his actions, and no doubt
PRAYER OF the petition in connection with
young Rhea
{ IN the meantime an election was held and
there was change n the governorshtp OF
/ the State Now the petitioners have new
executive to Zeal with, and he has given
the friends OF the young prisoner but little
|. encouragement Major G. V. MenZies, Of
Mount Vernon who is a friend Of the Rhea
fsmily. has taken great interest in behalf
OF the young man and has made numerous
: trips in the hope OF aiding his cause. He
has enlisted the aid of a number of people
or prominence, including Congressman
Hemenway, of the First district. United
Menzies has also made or two trips to
Nebraska TO consult with the Governor re-
garding tie case
RAea became jockey until he became too
5 heavy 90 ride, and then became a race
track follower and fell into very bad COM
pany. Finally, one night in small town
IN Dodge county, Nebraska, Rhea and a
2 comparison, man named Gardner, who
Z WIS about forty years old at the time, en-
: tered a saloon They ordered drinks, failed
: 10 settle for them and finally attempted to
tap the till the bar. The saloon keeper
resisted, and during the fight that ensued
/ the saloon man was killed Rhea is sup
posed 70 have fred the fatal shot. During
the excitement that followed Gardner and
Hhea escaped, but pursuit was given and
Gardner was soon captured Rhea gave his
pursuers wild run. he exchanged more
than forty shots with the posse after him
Finally he took refuge in a hay loft, and
& only surrendered when smoked out.
at the trials that followed the death
!. penalty was pronounced against Rhea and
G9rdner was given life sentence.
In the petition filed with the Governor OF
Nebraska. Major Menxies said: Gardner
WAS nearly forty years of age and pre-
~ Of Ind
man Gardner was brought before a court
ard jury under indictment for the same
!. OF ense some weeks after Rhea had been
( tried and found guilty. Public passion
had subsidized. the frenzy of the hour had
passed away; the sober second thought
which generally follows had come to the
community. The same facts were stated ir
to the Jury as on the trial of Rhea; the
cause was heard before the same Judge
aha result was the man OF years, with a
great experience In life, was found guilty
and sentenced to imprisonment for life
There was an equality I'm the offense; the
moral turpitude the same Can IL be even
handed justice that the Older man. OF
spared and his youthful companion receive
fhs extreme penalty Of the law? 1t Is q
violent presumption that the elder mar
was the more active In planning ths
crime, but with a cunning belonging tC
aga induced his youthful associate TO fire
the fatal shot"
The fight TO the life Of the boy and
avoid the disgrace OF the hangman's noos,
has caused the elder Rhea to spend nearly
mar. The time set for the hanging Is In
ItrIu y