The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1911-09-09
EIGHT GARY OFFICERS NABBED
MAYOR. ENGINEER AND ALDER
MEN HELD As BOODLERS.
Man VINO Wanted a Franchise says He
Found Two Honest Men -Dictograph
Got Evidence Marked Money said
to Have Been Found In Mayors Desk.

TO Have Been Found In Mayors Desk.
Mayor Of Gary, was arrested to-day on
the charge Of soliciting and accepting a
bribe of S. 900 for signing the Dean heat
ing franchise. The Mayor was arrested
by deputy sheriffs who entered his office
shortly after r. y. Dean. who signed the
affidavit. came from the Office with the
franchise.
Before entering the Office Dean was
searched by four persons To prove that
he was taking money into the room.
When he came from it he was again
searched.
He told the deputies to serve the war
rant and that they would find the money
in an envelope in a pgeonhole In the
Mayors desk The deputy sherilrs found
the money as indicated and took posses
sion of it. II is said that the currency
was previously marked.
The Mayor was released after he had
given q IS 900 bond signed by his brother.
A. F. Knots, former Mayor Of Hammond.
Immediately after the Mayors arrest
the officers obtained an automobile and
started after other city officials. They
met Walter Gibson. Councilman and
served him with a warrant charging him
with soliciting a $500 bribe Gibson was
arrested last winter on bribery charges
made by Mayor Knots. Sheriff Thomas
Grant later arrested the following on the
charge Of soliciting and accepting bribes
City Engineer e. A. Williston. Alderman
Antony Baukus. Dominck Szymansbi
John Simiasko. Emerson l.. Bowser and
Boice Szymanski. son of Alderman Szy-
manski.
I. b. Dean. the recipient of the fran
chise, came to Gary six months ago. He
says that he is from near Richmond.
Madison county, Kentucky. His story
is as follows:
Il came here to get a franchise for a
central heating station. Before long it
became apparent that would have to
paw. then consulted my attorney,
Judge Walters of Chicago. We then laid
our plan OF action.
"Dic'ographs such as we're used TO
trap the Ohio Legislature bribers were
installed in my room in the Gary Hotel
and in an adjoining room. and what is
more they were installed in the Mayors
Office in the city hall The dictographs
were 40 arranged that they either re-
corded what was spoken or a stenographer
hidden could take down the conversation.
Before Mayor Knots went West six
weeks ago he intinated that he must have
s. 900
John j. NyhoF. until recently Com
missioner of Public Works. came to my
room in the Gary Hotel and demanded
SO, 900 for his vote. have three of
mis- conversatio recorded and pre-
served in Chicago safety deposit vaults.
City Engineer Willston and Alderman
Bowser received money from me
There were several visits 20 my room
in the Gary Hotel by both officials and
each time the dictograph enabled thei,
conversations to be heard by two. three
and four witnesses in other rooms. Al
other times took Aldermen 10 Chicago
and deposited their bribe money in safety
deposit vaults in our joint names. Alder
men Mike Walsh and W. s Feur found
to he honest men"
Whether Dean is a clever detective en-
gagged by the Steel Cooperation or some
one els" is a mater Of con lecture.