The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-11-17
Two Indianians Who Are Charged
with Conspiracy to Extort a Bride
from j. j. Ryan.
TESTIMONY OF THE THURMAN
WHO SAYS HE PAID MONEY TO THE
ALLEGED "GO-BETWEEN."
Ryan Forced to Admit that He Once
Killed a Man and Had Been
Ruled OF the Track.

CINCINNATI, Nov. 16-The second trial
of Daniel Voorhees, Miller. of Terre Haute,
formerly assistant attorney in the Post
office Department at Washington, and his
friend, Joseph M. Johns, an attorney at
Rockville, Ind began to-day before United
States District Judge Albert c. Thompson.
They were charged with conspiracy to ex-
tort a bride from John j. Ryan, turf
commissioner, with offices at Cincinnati
and st. Louis, for such decisions as would
allow Ryan to use the mails in receiving
money for betting on races" At their
first trial here last month the jury dis
agreed. Witnesses are here from Wash
from Indiana for the defense. The same
attorneys appear on both sides as at the
first trial, and in addition Henry Span,
of Indianapolis. appeared for Miller.
In making his opening statement the dis
trict attorney said that the government ex-
pected to prove that Johns was the middle
man between Miller and Ryan. Mr.. Baker
stated that Johns was the attorney for
Ryan without any connection with Miller
and received no more than his fees Hiram
d. Rulison stated that Miller knew moth
ing of Johns's contract with Ryan and
never received any of the money. Rulison
insisted that Miller's opinions were against
Ryan and those of Christiancy for him.
After submitting documentary evidence
Paul keyser, clerk In the Postoffice De-
partment at Washington, was called to
identify records, reports. etc. He testified
that George Christiancy was first and ID. ".
Miller second assistant attorney under the
assistant attorney general for the Post
office Department when John j.. Ryan &
Co. were arraigned. that Christiancy de-
cided the case and that Miller made up the
record on the fraud docket"
j. NJ. Morrow, manager of the Western
Union at Rockville, and James G.. Bresna-
han, assistant manager at Washington,
| identified kilograms.
John J. Ryan was on the stand four
| hours. He testified that as turf commits
| sioner. he received $50 letters per day.
| Ryan testified that he had never heard of
| Johns until after he went to Washington
| last November with his attorney, Judge
F! Outcalt. On Nov. q he received a. letter
| from Johns saying he could be of use to
| Ryan's concern and requested a meeting.
| Ryan went to Terre Haute Nov. rs. Johns
| and Ryan were alone in the latters room
| at the Filbeck Hotel two hours. Johns told
| the witness how close he was to Miller and
asked what 1t would be worth to get clear
! bill of sale for the use of the mail. Johns
wanted 5000 and showed letter from
| Miller advising Johns to see Ryan soon.
| Ryan finally got Johns to accept $500, when
| Johns remarked that there would be little
| left after he had divided up. Ryan never
| saw that letter from Miller to Johns again,
| but thought it was on the letter head of
| the office department. Johns remarked that
! Miler's salary was only 5000 and that
! trimmings were expected. Ryan then
| also signed a contract for $1,000 for the "re-
vision of his literature" Ryan then testi-
| fed to Johns meeting him at the Gibson
| House, in Cincinnati, Dec. IL, when Johns
| produced a copy of the favorable decision
signed by Christiancy and said: Here are
| the goods" Ryan then paid the $500, after
| which John Johns handed him the Chris
| tiancy decision.
| Subjected by Mr.. Baker to severe cross
| examination. Ryan admitted he had been
| ruled off the track at Fit Erie, but denied
| such proceedings at New Oileans and else
! where He had killed man in self-defense
| and was acquitted. Mr. Baker asked about
other arrests, especially when the witness
| kept a saloon in st. Louis