The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-03-25
Staggering Under Weight Of Evi-
dence, He Submits No Longer
to Pitiless Prosecution.
FACES A TERN IN PRISON
Loyalty of Wife Endures to ORA
matte Climax in Misfortunes
Following Elkhart Crash.
L. S. SHOWS HIM NO MERCY
District Attorney Refuses to Miti-
gate Indictment in Face of I'm
pending Confession.

By an unexpected confession, Justus l..
Brodrick who has been fighting charges
summarized in the wrecking of the Indiana
National Bank of Elkhart in Federal Court.
of which he was president, brought his
hearing to a tragic close when court con-
vened yesterday morning. entering a plea
of guilty to the indictments. His sentence
was suspended until after the close of j..
Walter Browns hearing, which begins
Monday. Brodrick is out $4,000 bond.
given by Mrs. Fannie K. Thompson, of
Elkhart
The confession of Brodrick yesterday
morning was a complete surprise 10 all but
his attorneys and most intimate relatives.
After the testimony of ]. Walter Brown
it was thought that Brodrick felt en-
couraged and would continue his fight in
the court. The announcement of his plea
of guilty. came so Unexpectedly that for a
few minutes court visitors could not realize
what had happened.
At o'clock yesterday morning the court
convened as usual, expecting to continue
the evidence which the defense began pre-
senting yesterday through ]. Walter
Brown. Brodrick entered with his at
torneys, Spaan and vanFleet. They took
their accustomed seats facing Judge An
derson on the bench.
When the court was called to order Mr.
Spaan arose and said:
IF the court please the defendant desires
to enter a plea of guilty to the indict-
ments"
For a few minutes there was a complete
silence in the courtroom.
Judge Anderson then dismissed the court.
During the dramatic incident, Brodrick
showed no outward signs of emotion. After
adjournment he left the courtroom and
Joined his wife. who had not been present
yesterday morning.
REFUSES TO DISMISS CHARGES
Attorneys for the defense gave as the rea-
son for the step taken that the government
had piled up such an overwhelming mass
of evidence against Brodrick and that it
extended back for so many years that 1t
would be impossible for Brodrick to ex-
plain all matters. A few minutes before
court convened yesterday morning Mr.
Spaan went to District Attorney Kealing
and asked him 10 dismiss the charge OF
embezzlement
Healing replied that the government
stood pat on the indictment and that if
Brodrick wanted to plead guilty he would
have to make IL for the whole indictment
Brodrick and his attorneys then held a
was made.
That Mrs. Brodrick and Mrs. Fannie X.
Thompson, her friend, were not in their ac-
customed seats within the railing yester-
day morning when court convened was
given little significance until after the plea
of guilty was entered.
Faithfully Mrs. Brodrick has attended
every session of the court and heard her
brother testify against her husband and
her husband fiayed by the prosecution.
Through 1t all she has borne up bravely
and shown herself a loyal wife Aside
from a coorless face and nervous working
of the hands she has betrayed no sign OF
the strain under which she living.
Brodrick's decision to plead guilty yester-
day morning was the result of long con-
sultation with his attorneys and later a
| long talk with his wife. After his con-
| ference Wednesday evening with his at
| have to go upon the stand and face long
| list of charges extending back for many
years, which no man could explain they
| advised him as to the course to pursue
| Brodrick replied that he would talk it over
with his wife, which he did that night.
| WIFE DISPLAYS LOYALTY
Mrs Brodrick here again displayed hel
bravery and loyalty Four years she spent
in hospital in a sick bed. She told hel
husband that If she could stand confine.
ment for that length of time he certainly
could and then they could start out anew
| Although Brodrick still maintains thai
he is not guilty to the charge of embezzle
| as the government stood firm on the entire
indictment After the decision had beer
reached TO plead guilty. Brodrick. it Is said
seemed greatly relieved. He has been liv
| ing during the hearing under a strain al
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