The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1912-08-19
ARRESTED AFTER DRIVE.

ARRESTED AFTER DRIVE
John Lewis, better known as Jack
Lewis. owner and manager of the
Lewis-oliver Repertoire company.
which has been playing at the Muir
ray theater throughout the summer,
was arrested last evening on the
charge of assault and battery with in
tent to rape. The prosecuting witness
is Edith Moon. the eleven-year-old
daughter of Mr.. and Mrs. John Moon.
Lewis. who has been taking the role
of the hero In his plays. Ia alleged to
have met the little Moon girl about
TAO o'clock last evening on North
Sixth street. The girl. according 10
the story told the police, asked to ac-
company Lewis. whom she had seen
at the theater. Lewis is said to have
consented. telling the girl that she
could walk to the Shofer livery stable
on South Sixth street with him and
that he would bring her back to her
home.
However, after securing a carriage
at the livery stable, Lewis and the
girl drove west on South A street to
First street, the police were informed
and then drove to the piano factory.
The girl declared that Lewis kissed
and hugged her while driving on First
street. About thirty minutes later.
| according to the girls story. Lewis
drove to the corner of North Fifth and
A streets, where the girl says she
alighted from the carriage. Lewis
then drove to his boarding house on
Ft. Wayne avenue and ID streets where
his wife met him and they. with two
other women, friends of Mr.. and Mrs.
Lewis, drove about the city.
Complain to Police.
In the meantime Mrs. Moon, became
worried over the disappearance of her
daughter and telephoned police head
quarters. Shortly afterwards the girl
returned to her home crying. Asked
what she was crying about she de-
clared that Lewis had mistreated her.
Mrs. Moon then talked with her hus-
! band, from whom she Ia separated.
and the two. with the girl, went to
police headquarters. Supt. Gormon, af-
ter hearing the girls story informed
the parents to have the girl examined
by physicians before the affidavit was
filed. This was done, three physi-
clans saying. according to the police.
that the girl had been mistrezfed, al
though they would not say that any
one had assaulted her.
| When Lewis and his wife returned
| to the boarding house about 10
O'Clock Supt. Gormon and Patrolman
Hebbie placed him under arrest
This will ruin me-" Lewis In said
to have declared.
Il can't help that" Chief Gormon
replied. This is not q personal mat
ter. you know. It's just my plain
duty"
Finally Gets Attorney.
Lewis was taken to the city build
ing and then placed In the city Jail
Two attorneys were called to his cell.
but both refused to take the case, but
third attorney was finally secured
to defend him
Lewis admitted to the police that Ne
had taken the girl In the vehicle but
denied the charge that he had mis-
treated her. He said that he had
made mistake by allowing the girl
to accompany him.
The case was called In police court
this morning but was postponed until
O'Clock this afternoon. owing to the
fact that VIII Keller. acting prosecutor.
had no authority TO open the prosecu-
ton, inasmuch a. the death Of Charles
Ladd, prosecuting attorney for this
county caused q vacancy In the office.
Later, however, Mayor Zimmerman
called Governor Marshall by long dis
tance telephone and asked what course
he should pursue in appointing pro-
secutor temporarily. The governor In
formed the mayor to appoint anyone
he deemed best qualified for the posi-
ton until permanent appointment
could be made The mayor then an
pointed Attorney Keller. Lewis PAS re-
leased on $500 bond