The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1904-12-01
Chicago Grand Jury Returns a
True Bill Against Well Known
Attorney Friday Night.
ACCUSED GIVES LARGE BOND
Cowe11 and his Partner Lowell Charged
With Conspiracy to Defraud With
'Wi1d Cat" Insurance..

Walter M. Cowe1l, the we'll known
attorney of this city and the moving
spirit in the Wisconsin Insurance
Agency company which until recent
~ had it's headquarters in Kenosha,
was indicted by the grand jury in Chi
cago late Friday night. Cowe11 was
held to the circuit court in company
with his former partner Wallace A.
Lowell on charge of conspiracy to
defraud'' growing out of the issue of
fraudulent or wildcat" insurance
policies. Cowe11 evidently knew that
he was to be involved in the case for
he was all ready with his bond Satur-
day morning and he had no Sdifficu1ty
in securing his release. The fact that
an indictment had been returned by
the grand jury against Cowe11 and his
former partner was carefully sup
pressed until late Saturday afternoon
when Cowe1l appeared before the
clerk Of the circuit court ..andssgave a
recognizance bond in the ssum of
$4,000 to insure disappearance before
the court when he istwanted. Cowel1
gave his own bond and putsup his own
securities.
The complaint in the caseson which
the indictment was voted was made
by Samuel Jackson, a co1ored man.
Jackson alleges that he paid $11 for a
policy and Csc week premium and told
the jury that the accused had shown
him a certificate in which the under
writer's association was mentioned.
The present case in the state of IL
linois has nothing to do with the
charges made against Cowel1 by the
postoflce department last summer,
when he was arrested by Inspe ctor
ketcham and held in $1,000 bonds to
appear before the federal grand jury
on a charge of using the mails to de-
fraud, also growing out of transac-
tions in the insurance business. The
federal grand jury, which met about
month ago, did not consider the evil
dence presented by the postal author
tiles against Cowel1 sufficient to war
rant the return of an indictment
against him and he was discharged
from custody. so
Mr.. Cowe1l, when seen this MORN
ing, declared that he was the victim
Of misplaced confidence and that he
himself had suffered more from the
fra 11d111en+ fra r1sa o+;0+o of L;e &,,~+,a.
Lowell than any one else. He de-
c1ared that the indictment against
him was the result of desperate at
tempt by Lowell to involve him in the
insurance cases to such an extent that
the evidence of fraudulent transac-
tons in the insurance business, which
Cowe1l declares he has in his possess
sion, and which he mas agreed to fur
nish the Chicago authorities at the
proper time, can not be used against
Lowell and his associates. Lowell, in
his defence in previous actions, has
set up the claim that Cowe11 was his
partner and has endeavored to put all
the blame of the "wi1d cat'' insur-
ance business on the shoulders of the
Kenosha man.
Cowe1l alleges that the evidence
upon which the indictment was re-
turned by the grand jury against him
was manufactured by Lowell, in the
endeavor to save himself and his as
sociates, and that he will have no diff
ficulty IN clearing himself from all
the charges made to the jury when
the case against him comes to trial in
the Chicago courts. Cowel1 declares
that he has nothing to conceal, and
that all the evidence in his possession
will be freely given to the proper au-
thorities. He points out that the
federal jury did not consider the evil
dence against him worth anything,
and it is fact that at the time of his
arrest last summer Inspector Ketcham
practically admitted that Cowel1 held
the key to the whole situation. and
that it would be necessary for the
authorities 70 secure the evidence
Cowe11 had in his possession before
it would be possible for them to con-
Wet the gang operating in Chicago.
The Kenosha man does not seem to
be unduly disturbed over his indict-
ment, and he went to Chicago today
to give further evidence before the
grand jury. The Chicago grand jury
is making an exhaustive investigation
into the subject of fraudulent insur-
ance, as the business has its head
quarters in the city, and over fifty
witnesses were heard Friday and Sat-
urday and much documentry evidence
presented. Lowell, who was indicted
jointly with Cowel1 has had true bill
voted against him before, and cases
against him are now awaiting trial.
Bargaln Column on r1ape g