South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-12-08
ANOTHER EXPOSE
OF MUNCIE GRAFT
MADE IN COURT
New Names, Not in List of
Originally Indicted 40,
Brought Into Case.

By Associated Press
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind, Dec T.
Another expose Of the Muncie graft
ring was made Wednesday, by the
government in starting trial before
a federal court jury OF nine persons
for conspiracy 10 violate the prohi-
bition law. but as the case progressed
the persons on trial were almost
dropped from sight and court room
spectators were wondering what
would be next.
New names. not in the list Of the
40-odd persons indicted in the case,
ere variously involved by the gov
ernment's evidence, including asser-
tions that led Judge A. B. Anderson
TO issue a warning against witness
tampering.
Officials Are Accused
Horace Murphy, former prosecu-
tor, and Sheriff Thomas Hyatt We're
accused OF having manifested inter
est ia testimony to be given at the
present trial and City Judge W. A.
McClelland was charged by some wit
ncsses with activity in behalf of law
violators. while Pros. Clarence BEN
adum was declared TO have sent
word to gamblers that they might
open up business gust before his
election in 1920.
The trial also produced an unusu-
al situation when one of the defend
ants. Thomas Y. Miller. an attorney
Joined forces with the government
in bringing forth disclosures involv-
ing persons not indicted in the case.
Millers defense i'm his own behalf
is thai a 'frame-up" has been prac-
ticed upon him by his enemies. and
the government prosecutor said eff
forts would be made TO show that
Miller was connected with the trans
portation OF some liquor from Ohio.
No evidence against him came out
Wednesday but the government had
not completed it's case when court
adjourned tonight.
IS Pleas OF Guilty.
Before the trial got started. 16
pleas of guilty were entered by de-
PENDANTS. and later ia the day an
other was added to the guilty list
Seventeen others pleaded guilty some
time ago. The pleas Of guilty en-
tered today were by Kenneth spur
geou. Gene Williams. Court Asher,
William Robertson. Joe Humble,
Gertie Wilson, Pearl Nichols. Den
mis- Nichols, Walter Evans, John
Cox. Daish Dean. Hagerman Munce,
Z
Verne Walburn. Roy Murray and
Loss Howell This left these persons
on trial,
George Fox. police captain Eli
Scott. patrolman: Timothy s. owen.
justice OF the peace; Ora " Pogue. a
private detective. Thomas v. Miller.
attorney: Maggie Logan, Maggie
Lampzins. Carrie Brown and John
Sullivan. alleged blind tiger opera
tors
The witness tanpering charge
came ont when James o. Black. eX-
constable. who has pleaded guilty in
the case was testifying. and ar.
Miller got the statement from the
witness that Murphy had intimated
.4aAN A'l.IN AAt-- l-N N"a EoNN AAnL lO
give evidence against William Rob
ertson. who was a graft collector.
"Muphy's ont ON parole. isn't
he2" inquired Judge Anderson. re-
calling that the former prosecutor
was sentenced 10 prison after one
expose Of the Nuncle graft ring.
Don't Tell All You Know"
Black testified that Murphy said.
you don't have .0 tell what YOU
know down at indianapolis" refer
ring 20 the present trial Further
more. Black said HYATT asked about
Owens case. saying: T want him
90 gel out Of IT,"
Adkins Knuckles another con-
stable. as well as Black. testified
that Benadum told them 20 inform
gamblers TO open up in the fan OF
1920. the prosecutor being charged
with saying. THE sky IS the limit"
Black also said ne understood Judge
McClelland got part ~ the graft coll
lected from law violators. and an
other witness. Ben Churchuan. said
MeCleIland tried 90 lease the build
INK hli-l- -lltll fla 81 as H'lt-s
ing a soft" drink parlOr.
q" Red said he was not getting
enough out of il. said Churehman.
explaining that "Red" was the city
judge and that his remark meant
that he was not receiving sufficient
money paid for protection" by
Churchman.
Numerous other Witnesses testified
% paying graft. Police Capt Fox
vas said 20 have charge Of raids and
10 have tipped of violators that a
search was 20 be made by the police.
Justice owen was sid 20 have con-
Quoted a kangaroo court that was a
specie 0f graft" and 20 have re-
ceive7 $40 a week for tipping of IS
stance ~ search warrants 20 Sher-
n Hyatt. Pa-rOiman Scott. witnesses
lid. "mOOched" drinks and money
from them. and Ora Pogue was said
q, have collected graft. Others on
trial excepting III Miller. were
mentioned as blind tiger operators,
John Sullivan being said 90 have a
chain OF places for selling liquor.