South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-08-10
ILLINOIS CHIEF
YIELDS AFTER
LENGTHY SIEGE
Governor Protests Action TO
the Last But Sheriff Mes
ter Is Adamant.
GILMAN Is DRAMATIC
Whole City at White Heat for
Hours -Giyes Surety for
$4,000.
By Associated Press.

SPRINGFIELD. H., Aug. Gov.
Len Small Of Illinois. after resisting
arrest on indictments charging en-
bezzlement and conspiracy for three
weeks on the plea OF executive Ina
munity. or that the king can CO 10
wrong" as stated by his counsel.
Tuesday finally submitted 10 sheriff
Mester after the latter had besieged
the state capitol with deputies for
several hours.
The governor protested his arrest
until the last, charging persecution
and asserting his innocence. bu. the
sheriff OF SanEamon county was ad-
arnant and insisted on taking the
governor from the executive ran
sion TO the courthouse. where Abra-
ham Lincoln used 10 practice law.
before accepting the bonds. There
the governor gave surety for $50. 900
and went his way 20 avail, tri3- on
the charge Of defrauding the people
Of the state of some $4,000 600
while state treasurer through auec-
ed failure 20 turn over 20 the state
the proper interest on state funds.
Is Dramatic Day.
II was a dramatic day In the cap
ital Of Illinois and the whole city
was at white heat for hours as the
climax OF the long contest between
governor and county officers drew
near. After the governor had re-
fused, Monday, 10 yield % service Of
the three warrants held by he sher-
he To- al IA "a. 4
serve the papers Tuesday. or as
soon thereafter as possible. either
quietly or with any necessary
effort.
When the sheriff went 20 the cap.
itol 10 perform his duty. as directed
by Judge Smith Of the county court
Gov. Small, attended by several adj
visers, was In his office and refused
to come out at the sherins request.
The sheriff then placed deputies
around the building to block any
undeterred egress OF the governor
and sat down in the lobby 10 srtoke
until the chief officer OF the COM
monwealth should decide TO emerge.
Had Big Advantage"
He announced that he had tlc adj
vantage Of the besieged man. be-
cause he had taken precautions TO
eat his luncheon before investing
the capitol and laughinFly remarked
that he had little else except the
arrest Of the governor 70 occupy his
time.
The governor nally sent word out
couple Of hours after the luncheon
hour that the sheriff might come
into his Office and serve the war
rants. but the sheriff declined. say
ing he was IN no hurry. and would
prefer 70 make the arrest outside 70
avoid any technical charge Of in
terrupung executive business.
This tact OF the sheriff was In pur-
suance Of the attitude adopted from
the time the indictments were re-
turned on July %.
Crowds gathered around the state
house as the afternoon wore on and
there was a holiday appearance
within the structure as flashlights
doomed and the high rotunda sled
with smoke. But the governor kept
at work in his Office. sending out two
lists % appointments during the
siege.
Accepts Capitulation.
As the shadow Of Lincoln's monu-
ment IN the capitol yard grew long
under the declining sun The chief ex-
ecutive finally sent cut word that he
would surrender 20 the county officer
at the executive mansion ar o'clock
If Il could be arranged 90 give bonds
at once. The capituIation was ac-
cepted by Mester. who withdrew un-
der the truce with his troop OF depu-
ties.
At five O'Clock the sheriff with
his warrants. somewhat thum bworn
from long handling. drove 20 tho
governors house and went in 20 the
object Of his quest.
Governor. 7 am here with rae
warrants" he said when he met the
governor. The sheriff then read the
warrants ard said. Governor you
are under arrest"
Very well what shall do2'
asked the governor.
9. p. Gillespie OF the governors
counsel then produced a bond which
had been prepared and asked tho
sheriff 20 take the sUreties ln the
mansion. but the latter declined
You must 20 with me 10 the
courthouse" the sheriff declared
When Atty. Gillespie was .nsis-ent
the sheriff said
"Mr. Gillespie. yoI are not work
ing for me. you are working for Gov.
Small We must 60 20 the COURT
house"
The governor entered Mester's an
tomobile and went 20 the courthousa,
where bonds were signed By Roy
and Harry Ide. and O. II. jenkins
The governor then returned home.
Indicted July 20.
Gov Small was indicted BY tho
sangamon grand jury July 90 on
charges Of enlbezzlement OF $500 900
or state funds and conspiracy 80
smbezzle $4,000 co. The acts az
which ne was accused took place
while ne was state treasurer.
Indictments also were returned
against Lieut.. Gov Sterling and Yer
non Curtis a Grand Park. IL, bank