The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-05-24
TRIED TO BRlBE LOGSDON
Man Known as James ". Smith Arrested at the In.
stance of Works Board Member

local gamblers that he furnished secured
an audience with Logsdon in his office, at
which he talked slot machines" to Logs
don. Nothing developed in the meeting and
Smith was not able to secure the evidence.
He claims that he reported that meeting TO
his employers and later tried again. About
one week ago he again visited Logsdon and
talked to him of the prospect Of arranging
for the installation Of the machines in the
city. Wednesday he called on Logsdon. but
nothing was accomplished He says the
negotiations stopped at that point and he
did not see Logsdon until the morning of
his arrest, when he called on him in obe-
dience to telephone request received Fri
day night to call Saturday morning.
Smith frequently mentioned DR.. Hunts
name, also Mr.. NoeIs and had much to say
OF Martins employing him. He also spoke
of Sentinel man, whom he described
as tall man, black mustache and eye
glasses. and specified Dr. Hunt as being the
man who directed him to go to Fred Heier's
for the fake telegram"
These statements were secured from
Smith by Colbert, Hauser and the superin-
tendent under much pressure and in the
midst of them Mr.. Logsdon visited the SUI
perintendent's office. He had been informed
by Colbert before coming in that Smith
had told who his employers were. and Logs
don confronted him.
so you are not slot machine agent
after all, are your" said Logsdon as he
entered the room and took chair.
NO." replied Smith.
The arrested man then repeated several
nf ba for ha Of Mr.
Logsdon. but was silent on the actual at
tempt at bribery. He was interrupted by
Mr.. Logsdon. who said:
Didn't you offer me sl,5oo II would Sc
cure protection for you and let you operate
slot machines in this city?''
NO." said Smith. That's the offer you
made to me-"
You know that is not true" said Logs
don.
SLATED FOR BRIBERY.
After the interview Smith was taken to the
turkeys office and slated for attempted bri-
berry. He gave his name as James W. Smith,
age thirty years, home st. Louis. Mo-, and
lawyer by occupation. He was locked up
In default of $500 bail. and was soon in
terviewed by John s. Duncan. who was re-
tained as his attorney. He was kept in the
police station during the entire day and
his bond raised to 5000. This bond was
furnished late yesterday afternoon by the
Federal Union Surety Company, signed by
Edward N. Messard agent. and Elmer Z.
Stevenson, attorney in fact. Smith signed
the bond and was taken from the police
station to the office of Duncan, Smith &
Hornbrook, attorneys, by III. II. Hornbrook,
of that firm. After being taken TO the
office Smith was closeted with Mr.. Duncan
for some time and was not accessible 70
reporters
James w. Smith is a fictitious name and
was admitted to be such BY the man him
self. He is unknown here and although he
told Superintendent Taffe and the detec-
tives who arrested him that he had been
for seven years OH the Washington police
force as a sergeant and detective he is
unknown by Mr.. Taffe. Smith is believed
to be a member of the Thiele detective
force, of ST. Louis, or connected with some
private detective agency of that place
He is large man and wears black mus
tache. 1t Is understood that he first went
to st. Louis several years ago as a spy
for street-railway company during trou-
BILE with employees, and later did work for
Prosecuting Attorney Folk.
Smiths trial will come up tomorrow
morning. but will be postponed until Tues
day. He will be charged with attempted
bribery.