The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-06-18
story Of These Gold-Brick Swindlers
Reads Like a story of "YelIow-
Back, Fiction.
PURCHASED FREEDOM DEARLY
GOVERNOR BECKHAM, OF KEN
lucky, wITHDRAws REQUIsITION.
The Two Men Had Up q Cash Bond OF
Ss,OOO-Story Of Their
Crimes.

Of the recent arrest Of two gold brick
artists at v~incennes. Yesterday Cover
nor Durbin notified Governor Beckham,
of Kentucky, that he had complied with
his request and instructed Judge Orlando
H. Cobb. of the Knox Circuit Court, that
the acquisitions for the removal of the
men to Kentucky had been withdrawn.
but this action was taken a day too late to
save the men from forfeiting the second
bond of 5000 in cash which they had de-
posted as a guarantee that they would
put in an appearance to answer to the
requisition on June 16-
The story has many of the features of
"yellow-back' fiction. On June 5. Charles
II. Jerome, alias James H. Starke, and
Charles Roberts. alias Bill Dunn. two Of
the widest swindlers in the country, were
arrested at Vincennss on the charge Of
having attempted TO swindle a farmer Of
Knox county. They had not succeeded
in their attempt, as the farmer was a lit
tie wary and his suspicious were aroused
to the extent that he laid a trap for them
that proved successful. Jerome and Rob-
erts Immediately informed the officers that
they were prepared to put up a cash bond
of any reasonable amount to guarantee
their appearance to answer to the charge,
but in the meanwhile the sheriff and
prosecuting attorney of Todd county, Ken
lucky, appeared on the scene with requi-
sitions for the men from Governor Beck
ham. They were charged with having
swindled a farmer OF Todd county out Of
5000 on the well-known gold brick game.
To further complicate the situation, while
the Governor was considering the adyisa-
bility of honoring the Kentucky requisi-
tons. officers from Grant county, this
C~of h0nwn - w4NA h~ 49, ahaf
they be given the first chance at the con-
idence men. The Grant county officers
had warrants for the arrest of the men on
a charge several years old. but one which
they believed could be made good.
DECIDED TO HONOR THEM.
After due consideration Governor Dur
bin decided to honor the acquisitions, as
he concluded that as the Kentucky case
was a more recent offense the authorities
would be better able to secure the con-
viction of the swindlers. The Knox coun-
ty authorities were notified to that effect
and Jerome and Roberts were required to
deposit an additional bond of 5000 cash
that they would answer the requisition
June 16. The 5000 bond for their ap-
pearance in answer to the Knox county
charge was returnable June IL.
Jerome and Roberts Immediately skipped
out. with no intention of appearing to face
the charges against them, but the officers
from Todd county, Kentucky, got hold OF
them and a deal was fixed up by which
they were to return the 5000 which they
had secured from the farmer there on the
condition that prosecution was to be dropped
and that the officers would arrange for the
requisitions TO be Withdrawn so they would
not have 10 forfeit the additional 5000 bond
at Vincennes. The deal went through al
right. as Governor Beckham was induced
to ask Governor Durbin that the requiSi-
tons be withdrawn.
Unfortunately for the gold-brick artists
the case was a novel one for the Governor
Of Indiana To deal with. and he did no.
wish to take any action until he had ar
opinion from the attorney general. 1t took
some time for this official to make an in
yestisssion; .s snd in n the MaE %snHwhil en the S Goy.
ness trip. BY the time he had returned
and had possessed himself of the opinion
of the attorney general June 16 had come
and gone and the 5000 had gone to en-
had already been declared forfeited June u
Altogether the little deal in Knox county
cost the swindlers IN the neighborhood o.
$4,000, making the very modest allowance
| OF 5000 for their attorney fees. They for
feited 5000 in cash on their bonds and the,
ttucky, farmer. This with their sttorne,
fees makes their expenses approximate,
SIS, 900. They have been at liberty some tel
or twelve days. however. and If they hav'
been living up to their past records the!
viii not miss such an Insignificant sum.
SAMPLE OF GENIUS.
Jerome and Roberts gave a fair sampl
OF their genius in the swindle which the.
worked In Grant county several years ago
They spotted a farmer whom they consid
cred a fair victim, disguised themselve
as Indians and skulked about in the wood
on the mans farm for several days. The,
appeared very chary of meeting white mel
and ran away several times when the
were approached Finally they permitte'
the curious farmer to talk to them. II
found they had some great mystery abou
a buried treasure and that they were seek
ing the spot of the hidden wealth py mean
of an ancient map scrawle on a cowhidS
He was taken into their confidence jus
enough to excite his interest, and ne joine
in the search. One day, at the 1ramati
stick into the ground and declared he ha
found the spot. An excavation was hur
riedly made, and. surely enough. the treas
ure was laid bare-two big gold bricks.
The bricks were worth $l5,0 0-the 'In
dams said so-but as they feared the
would have trouble In disposing of ther
they agreed to sacrifice them to the far
mer for $1,000. The farmer swallowed tn
bait. went TO Marion and secured the none
from his banker. on the pretext that he wa
buying another farm. The denouement fol
lowed quickly. but too late to interfer
with the escape of the swindlers. 1t wa
afterward learned that the men were Je
rome and Roberts, and the Grant count
authorities have been looking for them 10
several years. with no success. until thi
month, when the men were arrested q
Vincennes.