The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-08-31
Otis Clark, a Miner, Surrenders
to Authorities.
Charged With Having Killed
Mine Superintendent.
HAS BEEN LODGED IN JAIL
Indictment Was Rushed When
He Made Ready to Leave.
Harrington and Other Union
Officials Hope for Bond.

Marion, Ill, Aug. 31.-Otis Clark, a
union coal miner, the first man in
dicted by the special grand jury in
1 vestigating the Herrin massacre, in
which 20 persons were killed, sur
rendered shortly before noon. He is
tcharged with the murder of c. K.
Mcdowell. superintendent of the Les
ter strip mine where the massacre oc-
CURED.
Clark surrendered after a conference
with officials of the Illinois mine
! workers who Immediately arranged to
furnish bond. Attorney General
dcials conducting the inquiry ap-
parently did not look with favor en-
this. as Clark was placed in Jail.
The Indictment of Clark it was
attributed to him shortly after the
massacre, when some believed there
would be no investigation, that he par
fticipated in the killing of Mcdowell.
The Indictment of Clark had been
hurried thru, it was learned because
Of reports that he was disposing of his
| possessions in johnson county, near
here, where he has been farming, and
officials feared he contemplated flee
ing.
Shortly after Clark surrendered,
Frank Harrington. president of the
Illinois mine workers with several
other union officials left town, refus-
ing to make public their destination or
purpose. I'VE still hope to make bond
for Clark" Harrington stated.
Speed PIeases Brundage.
The speed with which the first in
dietment was returned-three days
after the Investigation got under way
Increased the expectancy OF a large
mum Der of indictments to follow. At
torney General Brundage of Illinois
4 - - 80
with -the grand iury's action m voting
theAtrue bill with such expedttion.d
! Groups of citizens gathered on corr
ners and discussed the Indictment
with repressed excitement, the con-
sensus of opinion being that the name
of bloody Williamson county would
be vindicated. Citizens pointed out
that q feature of the Indictment was
that it was returned for the murder
of Mcdowell, against whom the great
est feeling was aroused shortly before
the massacre, because of his alleged
boast that he would operate the mine
in spite of the union
q Mcdowell also was the first man
killed in the massacre. and he was
charged in the coroner's jury report
with responsibility. for the death Of
one of the three union men killed.
To Ask for Writ.
A. w Kerr, chief counsel for the
Illinois miners, who has been watch
ing the investigation, announced he
would file a habeas corpus writ for
Clarks release on bona before Circuit
Judge Hartwell. Clark is about .
years old, and is the father of five
children. He is a coal miner, but
conducts a farm during the off min
ing season. He had been at McLeads-
boro visiting his mother, who is re-
ported as seriously ill, and came here
last night. On hearing that he had
been indicted, he Immediately begar
conferences with miners officials
and shortly before noon today volun-
ia rily gave himself up. He appeared
somewhat disappointed when refused
his freedom on bond, but made no
statement.
Witnesses Forget.
Several witnesses before the grand
Jury today suffered the same lapse of
memory as to occurrences as did some
witnesses on previous days. but At
torney General Brundage stated the
testimony was very satisfactory and
came up to expectation in virtually
every respect.
]. r. DeIaloza, representing the Mex
ican consulate in Chicago, arrived in
Marion today and took up with Mr..
Brundage the report that two MeN-
cans had been killed in the massacre.
Mr.. Brundage informed him that las
far as could be learned there were
that the Mexican government appar-
emily had in mind the suicide of a
Mexican at West Frankfort, June 23,
the day following the massacre. This
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