The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-07-10
TROOPS COMING HOME.
Gov. Durbin Refuses to Take a Hand
in the Disposition OF Lee.

Gov. Durbin Refuses to Take a Hand
in the Disposition OF Lee.
The Indianapolis battalion of the Indiana
National Guard and Battery A of the Light
Artillery will leave Evansville this morn
ing and arrive at the Union Station in
special train some time this afternoon. This
announcement was made by Governor Dur
bin late yesterday afternoon The Terre
Haute company left Evansville last night.
The Martinsville. Bloomington. Vincennes
and New Albany companies will leave Ev-
ansville this morning also.
Early yesterday afternoon Governor Dur
bin talked with Brigadier General Mckee
who is in command of the National Guard
at Evansville, over the ng-dstance tele-
phone. The Governor told General Mckee
that he wanted to get the troops away from
Evansville as soon as possible after the fu-
nerals of the victims of Monday nights
riot, which were held yesterday. General
Mckee told the Governor everything in Ev-
ansville was quiet and that he thought it
would be safe to take the soldiers away to-
day.
The Governor then instructed General
Mckee to send the troops away from Ev-
ansvile as soon after the funeral as he
thought it would be best, but left it to the
generals discretion as to the exact time
when the troops should start home. About
two hours later General Mckee called the
Governor up and told him that all the
troops would be out of Evansville by this
noon and that the Terre Haute company
would be started home last night After
all the outside companies and the battery
had gone General Mckee said he would
have the Evansville company march to its
After Governor Durbn received this in
formation from General Mckee he was
called to the long-distance telephone by DR..
Gilbert jail physician of Vanderburg coun-
ty, and Sheriff Kratz, of Vanderburg coun-
ty, who were In Louisville. Dr. Gil IT
asked the Governor If he would consent to
to Evansville from the Jacksonville Re-
formatory last night. DR.. Gilbert told the
Governor that Lee was In condition to re-
turn to Evansville for his trial The Gov
ernor told Dr. Gilbert that he would as
sumo no responsibility in this matter and
that he had nothing to do with the DISPOSE
ton OF Lee. He said Lee is in charge of the
! vanderburg county authorities. and that ii
was for them to decide. what they shall dc
| with him.
| Dr. Gilbert then told the Governor he
called him up to get his consent to take
| Lee back to Evansville because Judge
Rasch, of Evansville, objected to it.
why do you not do as Judge Rasch
says?" asked Governor Durbin.
Judge Rasch advises us to leave Lee al
| Jeffersonville because he thinks you think
| that the best plan," replied DR.. Gilbert.
II haven't any desire in the matter al
| ALL" said Governor Durbn. "All l want Is
| that this negro be given fair trial. And
| 1 have told Judge Rasch that will not pro.
| tect his court with the National Guard while
Lee is being tried. But it is not for me tc
| say when you shall take Lee back to Evans
vile. That will have to be left to the
| authorities of Vanderburg county. The
| negro is the prisoner of Vanderburg county
i Of nd
| "Dr. Gilbert insisted upon arguing the
| merits of the case with me-" said Governor
| Durbin, later. 1T wasn't for me to argue
| with him. or for me to tell him what to do
| Dr. Gilbert did not tell the Governor
| whether Lee would be taken back to Evans
| vile last night or not.