Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1921-04-28
OASIS
LEADERS GIVEN
YEAR AND DAY
Chief of Police and Alleged
CO-COnspiratOr in Wet
Regime Sentenced.

ton, and Henry Gnbreath, retail and
wholesale cigar dealer. were sentenced to
serve one year and one day in Federal
Prison at Atlanta. Ga, by Judge Geiger
in Federal Court today, after the jury
which lad tried the cases returned YER
dict finding the defendants guilty of con
spring to violate the Federal prohibition
laws. third defendant, Howard Walton,
was found not guilty.
Four defendants, Osa Woodward, Rail-
Callahan, John Fromme and James o.
Walton, all blind tiger operators at Lin
ton, who entered pleas Of guilty, will be
called before Judge Geiger for sentence
May Z.
Federal officials feel that with the con
viciton of Shouse and Gilbreath that vio-
lations OF the liquor laws which have
been rampant in Linton have been
broken up.
TRIUMPH FOR
L. 5. DISTRICT ATTORNEY.
The outcome Of the case is regarded
as a triumph for Frederick Van Mugs,
United States district attorney, for when
the indictments were returned In Febru-
airy it was predicted freely at Linton
/
victed IN preparing the cases Van Nuys
had the assistance Of VIII r. Vosloh.
prosecuting attorney of Greene County,
and Federal prohibition agents under
the direction of X. II. Abel group chief
in this territory.
Following the verdict, James W. Noel
attorney for Gilbreath and Shouse, made
a motion in arrest Of judgment but it
was overruled by Judge Geger. When
the sentences were pronounced Judge
Geiger added a fine of $500 to each SEN
tence but later RENTED the fines.
Nine defendants were named in the in
dictments returned by the grand jury in
/ February charged with conspiracy to
violate the Nolstead act. Shouse, John
Bonnie and Gilbreath were charged with
having levied tribute on blind tiger and
gambling room operators for protection
given them. OF the defendants Shouse,
Gllbreath, Howard Walton and Kenneth
Hudson entered pleas OF not guilty and
were on trial yesterday, James @. Wal
ton, John Fromme, Rail Callahan and
Osa Woodward. all proprietors Of blind
tigers, entered please Of guilty and took
the stand for the Government.
BENNIE AND HUDSON
CASES DISMISSED.
At the conclusion Of the evidence yes
terday Judge Geiger sustained motions TO
dismiss the cases against Bonnie and
Hudson on the grounds that there was
not sufficient evidence against them to
Justify sending the cases TO the jury.
This left only the cases against Shouso,
Gilbreath and Howard Walton for the
jury to consider.
All defendants who entered pleas Of
U nd haf
they had paid either Shouse or GU
breath sums ranging from $40 to $50 a
week for protection. VIII Il. Nosloh OF
Bloomfield. prosecuting attorney Of
Greene County. testified 70 unsuccessful
efforts he had made to obtnin the assist
ance OF Shouse and Bonnie 20 clean up
, Linton. Finally with tho aid Of Federal
! prohibition agents, beaded by X. II.
Abel group chief In this territory, he
made number Of raids June %. 1920,
but the Linton police force" consisting
OF Shouse and Bonnie. gave him no as
sistance.
Gilbreath and Shouse took the stand
( In their Cwn defense and made a de-
NAL Of all statements made by tho Gov
ernment witnesses However they were
given some uncomfortable moments by
Frederick Van Nuys. United States dis
trict attorney. on cross-cxamlnation. Mr.
Van Nuys drew from Gilbreath the ad.
mission that he was a dealer In punch
boards which have been declared Illegal
| by the Indiana Supreme Court and
Shouse WAS unable TO recall any arrests
he had made in an effort to cooperate
with Vosloh. The defense probably
caused more harm than good from char
acter witnesses 1t put on the stand.
Aided by suggestions from Mr.. Vosloh,
the district attorney wrung from sew
eral Of them admissions that in a trial
| IN the Greene County Circuit Court they
| had testified TO the good character OF
| house at Linton and that the jury had
/ proceeded to declare " house OF i'll
fame.
! Howard Walton did not take the stand
/ in bis own behalf and In his instruc-
! lions to the jury Judge Geiger pointed
out that II the Jury decided he had
! knowledge of the fact that his brother
was paying for protection, but did not
! take any active steps in the matter him
self, that the jury would be justified IN
returning a verdict Of not guilty in his
case.
Before the case went to the jury the
! first argument was made by Floyd J.
Mattice, assistant attorney general, who
| devoted himself to a careful resume Of
the evidence and the law. He was fol.
| lowed by James w. Noel, attorney for
Shouse and Gilbreath, and Charles E.
! Cox, attorney for Howard Walton
Frederick Van Nuys, district attorney
then closed with a strong plea for con-
viction In the cases against Shouse and
| Gilbreath+ He made no mention OF Wal.