davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1923-11-20
High Spots
Salient Points Developed, at Me
Cray Bankruptcy Hearing in
Federal Court Today.

Salient points developed in the hear
ing upon the petition to declare Gov
ernor McCray bankrupt before Federal
Referee Harry c. Sheridan today We're:
THAT McGray forgot last Friday to
include batch Of notes in his state
ment Of security given the State agri-
culture board for the 1856, 900 loan and
that the security totaled $125, 726.46
instead of $4,000.
THAT 1t is impossible to present an
accurate statement Of McCray's finan-
cial standing as of Jan. 1. 1928, until
Wednesday and as of Jan. /, 1928, until
even later, according to the Cover
nor's attorneys.
THAT plaintiff attorneys are at
tempting to show that during the 1920
campaign McCray devoted more time
to politics than farming.
80
THAT McCray has no Idea what his
Indebtedness was when he became
Governor nor to how many banks he
has sold notes.
THAT practically all McCrays bank
loans were obtained since he became
Governor
THAT McCray conducted negotia-
tons for loans both by personal visit
and mail
THAT all the referee is interested in
is whether McCray is farmer.
whether he is insolvent and commit
ted acts Of bankruptcy and the
amount of indebtedness and when
contracted.
THAT the referee holds it is not
relevant to Enquire whether McCray
obtained money IN fraudulent or
criminal" transactions.
THAT McCray contends that with
few exceptions the loans he obtained
were used for purchase of or opera
ton Of farms.
THAT a McCray farm manager in
Morgan County got 800 a month and
"a share in the profits. If any"
49,
THAT McCray's total indebtedness
as of oct 6. 1923, was $2.O32. 920. SO.
according to McCray. -
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1923-11-20
JACK DUNN DIES
OF HEART ATTACK
Democratic Leader Was HI
! Only One Week,

Jack Dunn, 81, prominent in Demo
cratic circles, died $50 a. m. today
at the home of his brotherin-law, Ted
Sullivan, Ala N. State Ave. from
heart trouble He had been Ill a
week.
Services will be held $50 a. m.
Friday at the home and 9 a. m. at
the Holy Cross Catholic Church.
Burial In Holy Cross cemetery.
Mr.. Dunn, born in Richmond, Ind,
lived in indianapolis thirty five years.
He was member OF the Ancient Or
der Of Hiberians the Holy Cross
Church and an active political worker
In the old Eighth and Ninth Wards.
Surviving: Three sisters, Mrs Ted
Sullivan, Miss Anna Dunn and Miss
Margaret Dunn, and two brothers,
Thomas and George Dunn.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1923-11-20
BLIND GIRL BRAVE
AS TRAGEDY STALKS
Family Killed BY Cas- Student at School Here Bears u
Under Shock Of Loss Of Family

We'll, my parents will not have to
worry about me any more, said Miss
Margaret Werner. is, student at the
State School for the Blind. when in
formed by her roommate Miss Mary
Bullock and Miss Adeline Carson, in
charge OF religious work, that her
father, mother and sister, had been
found dead In their new home at
Rockford, Ill.
Then. holding back the tears. the
girl, who is beloved at the school for
her kindly disposition, set about to
reconstruct her dark little world. She
went blind when she w'es g. She has
been a student at the school since.
Furnace gas is believed to have
caused the deaths of her loved ones.
Walter Vallner. a roomer also was
killed.
Miss Werner slept little Monday
night. She was taken to Rensselaer,
today. Funerals are to be held there.
After the last rites Miss Werner
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1923-11-20

able oil promotion literature which
were dumped daily into the postal
inspection offices here when the
probe first started.
Tons and tons of it were gathered.
So much has accumulated that the
inquiry division now occupies al
most half a floor in one Of Ft.
Worth's modern skyscrapers.
All of it in lurid pictures and by
honeyed word promised rivers OF
oil.
But what really came Of these
promises were rivers of tears and
teacups of oil as we shall see in
later chapters of this series.
Copyright, 1923, by NEA Service.)
NEXT, Gibbons will tell the
methods used by the crooked OH
stock promoter.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1923-11-20

Fred Robinson. Miss Adah Bush
and Lawrence Lyons"
From that time, you devoted nearly
your entire time to the campaign"
Yes, sir. I made it a rule to be
home on Sundays and Mondays"
Prom your nomination until the
election, did you devote most of your
time to the campaign?"
II didn't start an active campaign
until September"
You were elected?"
Yes, sir"
From that time to the Inaugural
ton. you devoted a great deal of time
to getting ready to assume your new
duties2"
Yes, sir"
Returns to Finances
sammons then returned to an IN
quiry into McCray's financial affairs.
do you know your mortgage in
debtedness on Jan. 1, 1912 he asked.
NO. sir" was the reply.
DO you know approximately the
amount"
mo. sir, not offhand."
rs it a fact that soon after you
were inaugurated the Fletcher Savings
and Trust Company offered a line
Of your cattle paper for sale?''t
Il don't think they did. 1 have no
recollection of it."
did not one of the Fletcher compa-
MES offer a line Of your cattle paper
for sale?"
Il think the Fletcher American
Company at one time offered some Ger.
tIfcates and sold them. think It was
about $50 1000"
WAS any of your paper offered by
any Indianapolis banks for sale be-
fore you got out<the preferred stock
of the Warren T. McC-ay Farms
Realty Company"
THE Meyer Kiser Bank offered
some"
How much?"
II don't know"
How did they offer it?''
"I don't know"
What was it they offered7"
"They offered my notes, signed by
myself"
Merger Idea Born in 1921
when was the idea of merging a
number Of your farms into the War
rem T. McCray Realty Company con-
ceIved?"
"In the fall Of 1921"
What acreage went into it?''
about $40 acres"
After the company was formed,
was a preferred stock issue offered?'
Yes. 1t was handled by the Meyer
Kiser Bank"
do you remember the amount
sold?"
About $4,000 after the commits
sion was taken off,
THE common stock of this corpo-
ration was owned by your family?'s
Yes, sir
What part of the $4,000 went 10
take up mortgages on land?"'
"On land that was Incorporated.
about $3.50 900
What was your bank Indebtedness
when you went into officer"
Continued on Page III
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1923-11-20

the appetites Of the promoters who
baited their prey on to further mis-
cry with Geographic followups to the
literature already sent.
At the time Of this writing, some
forty of these promoters have either
been tried or else pleaded guilty and
been given prison terms.
OF the ninety-two persons indicted
as conspirators in the swindle plot
at the first meeting Of the grand
jury, many have yet to be arratgned.
An army of postal inspectors
as many as are usually distributed
over a postal district of three or
more States-sent here upon orders
from Washington, is now going
over the investigation of prospeo-
tive list of some 400 additional pro-
motional enterprises.
Some scope Of the oil swindle
ring win be gained by pictur1ng
the countless truckloads OF questisn-
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1923-11-20
MORAY HEARING LIMITED
Say, Harry!

why should it take from 10
a. m. Wednesday until p. m.
Saturday for a letter to go two
blocks?" inquired Mrs. George
Catterson. Thirty Third and
Meridian SITS, today. Mrs Cat
terson is a cousin of Postmaster
General Harry S. New
He'll get a letter from me-"
Mrs. Catterson said.
Mrs. Catterson said she had
asked the postoffice this and an
investigation was being made.
She handed the letter to the post
man in front of her home and
then waited three days for de-
livery to the addressee two blocks
west of her home.
She would have thought little
Of it. she said. If she had not
learned that of 100 letters sent
out by officials last Tuesday
morning announcing a meeting
last Tuesday evening only one
or two were delivered in time
and several persons said they re-
ceived them as late at Saturday.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1923-11-20

get-rich-quick men that ever ven
tured insthe lane of frenzied finance
were as mere pikers compared with
these who lured victims who could
i'll afford to lose, into their camou-
tiaged traps.
High Government officials who
have spent lifetimes in pursuit of
suave shysters using the mails to
defraud, make bland admission that
this is the truth and further admit
that even they are dumfounded at
the enormity of the operations.
Holding aloft sharing vision Of
golden fleece which they promised
to shear for their trusting, gullible
investors from profits in wells never
sunk, or else purposely drilled past
oh level production, these vulture-
pTQmoters turned fleecers them
selves
The scant teacups of oil they pro-
~duced with the vast sums duped
from an unwary public, made the
oil cost something like $4,000 bar
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1923-11-20
HUNTERS MISSING;
ACCIDENT FEARED
Police Asked to Aid in Search
for Two Men.

John II. Flagles. TAG Union ST.. and
Ave-. left home Monday to go hunting
near Martinsville. They have not re
turned, according to police. who were
asked to aid in search. They were TO
return at p m. Monday. The Nor
gan County sheriff reported that he
had no trace of the men, police said.
An automobile or a hunting accident
is feared, relatives said.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1923-11-20

o. Wilmeth asked Burket, who pleaded
guilty. DO you have a BARRIERS Ii.
cense?"
Burket muttered in surprise, why,
No"
'Hm!" the judge said solemnly.
Have you bought Eyler wedding
present YETI"
mot exactly" Berket answered.
Deputy Prosecutor ]. Burdette Lit
tie had happy thought amid the
tangle of whiskers. barber license
and a wedding present.
II would recommend dismissal Of
the charge If the fifteen men chip In
So apiece for a real wedding present."
said Little.
The judge had an affirmative look.
The men were dismissed.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1923-11-20

Sheridan said he expected to con-
tinue the sessions through Friday. He
said he believed all Of these Sessions
would be held in Indianapolis
Statement Corrected
When McCray resumed his tes-
tlmony today. he asked permission to
correct a statement made Friday re-
garding the amount of notes he gave
the State board of agriculture as
security for loan of 1855 900.
He said: These notes amounted
to 1925. 726.46, II I recollect rightly.
Friday overlooked one batch of
notes"
In his testimony Friday. McCray
gave the amount in etxcess of $50 coo.
| Mr.. Sammons of kentland took
UP the examination of the witness in
place Of w. ]. Vesey, who examined
1 the Governor the first two days.
After the State board of agricul-
ture loan was paid. what became OF
/ the notes?" Sammons asked.
| "They were turned over to the
Aetna Trust Company" the Governor
replied
McCray submitted in evidence
what he said was a complete list Of
| the notes.
Statement Is Delayed
At the opening OF the hearing to-
day. James w. Noel. McCray's at
torney, said it would be impossible
to have a complete statement of Nc
Cray's financial affairs as of Jan, 1.
1923, ready until Wednesday. and as
Of Jan. 1, 1922, until still later.
Thomas D. Barr, of State banking
department was expected to be a
witness. With great reluctance
MeCray said Friday that Barr
had paid off a note for him of
$3.50 to- the Marshf1eld State Bank,
at Marshf1eld. because Barr had
recommended the loan and felt a
moral responsibility for it,
Were any of these notes ever re
turned to you after the board of ag-
riculture loan was paid?" Sammons
asked.
mo; they are with the Aetna Trust
Company" McCray replied.
Pool Collateral Only
Are these notes collateral for any
loan except the S950,000 pool dhe
Goodrich" pool, formed by friends
OF McCray in an attempt to pay his
debts)?"
mot so far as I know"
eff they were, you would know it?'
Probably So"
Sammons went into detail concern
Ing the McCray campaign for the gov
ernorship. He evidently attempted to
show that McCray devoted more time
to politics than to farming.
\ What time In 1920 did you an
nounce your candidacy" Sammons
queried.
II announced my candidacy some
time in the fall of 1919" the Gov
ernor answered.
How soon after you announced
your candidacy did you start your
active campaign"
I'VE opened, headquarters in No
vember, 1919, In the Claypool hotel"
"Who had charger"
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1923-11-20
Referee in Bankruptcy Says Questions as to Morality of
Methods by Which Governor Obtained
Loans Are Irrelevant.
Loans Are Irrelevant.
)TAL INDEBTEDNESS is LISTED AT s2,o32, s2o6e
Testimony of Last Friday That Security Given State Agk
culture Board TotaIed in Excess $4,000
Is Changed to S125,72646r-<s

Scope of the hearing the bankruptcy petition fled against
Governor Warren McGray by three Fl Wayne banks
limited question of the Governors occupation and sovency
by Harry c. Sheridan referee bankruptcy when the hearing
into it's third day. after hreeday recess the Federal
building today.
cit pertinent here inquire whether Governor Nc
Cray crminay morally wrong whether he obtained
money transactions by fraudulent immoral mean Sheridan
said
''The only questions in which this court interested
whether his occupation principally farminghlng the soil
and whether he committed of bankruptcy time when
he insoyent
Sheridan made this statement when Hume Sammons of Kent
land the attorneys for the petionng banks attempted
question cCray representations made by him obtaining
loans The Governors attorneys objected the question
McCray said his total Indebtedness Oct g. the date the
bankruptcy petition fled 92069 Friday Sheridan
ordered McCray prepare complete list of his Indebtedness
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1923-11-20
Methods Used by Swindlers

This involves nothing but a
simple operation whereby the
promoter would christen his
oil stock by some different and
high-sounding phrase For ex-
ample, he would no longer call
it stock, but probably units,
royalty rights, plan royalties,
blocks. mineral deeds. interests
and gusher rights.
All. of course, mean the same
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1923-11-20
THIEF GANG Is TRACED
Detectives Say They Expect to Get
Important Confession.

Detectives this afternoon said they
were about to obtain a confession
from one Of five men arrested in con
nection with an automobile theft Mon
day night which would clear up many
motor accessory robberies in the last
year.
Hundreds Of dollars worth of loot
was taken by the gang which is ex-
pected to be uncovered. it was said.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1923-11-20
INCREASE IN WATER
RATES EXPECTED BY
COMMISSION ORDER
Action Wills Terminate Bitter
Battle by City and Civic
Clubs,

Revenues of the Indianapolis
Water Company will be in
creased slightly by the public
service commission within the
next few days. The action will
terminate one OF the hardest
fought contests in the history of
the commission, contest in
which the city of Indianapolis
and numerous civic organizations
battled to prevent an increase.
The company sought IN increase
approximately 20 per cent. asking for
a valuation Of Approximately ST.
100000. and for meterization of serv-
Ice Only part of these demands
will be met
On Metered Basis
1t is understood the order Of the
commission Will contemplate most
CONSUMERS on a metered basis This
viii mean it is said, that rates viii
be increased only to consumers who
use more water than covered by the
isn.inimum monthly charge. This
charge is expected to be s150
It is. expected. also, that the com
mission viii increase the fire hydrant
rental to the city. This is one of the
proposed increases that was fought
hardest by the city.
The net result Of the order is ex.
peCted TO be little or no chanpa I'm the
cost of service TO the very small con
sumner. but an increase to the larger
consumers and consequent increase
in revenues to the water company.
The commission has not yet agreed
on valuation of the company's prop
erty, but 1t Is expected to be some
where between the valuation of s11,-
100000 claimed by the city end the
valuation Of $4,000. 900 claimed by the
company. The commissions valua-
ton may be In the neighborhood of
SIS, 600. 00e
DOdging Federal Court?
There are indications the commits
sion does not intend to have the water
case thrown into Federal Court as
previous utility cases have been. The
, rate is expected to be such that the
company will not contest further,
and still such that the entire increase
asked by the company will not result.
Meanwhile. the water company is
conducting an advertising campaign
through the newspapers TO educate"
the public concerning the water sup
ply Of the city.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1923-11-20
GRANDWEWB BANK
RECORDS LOCKED
: Up BY COLLINS
McCray Note Understood to
Be Among Items Inn
pounded for Grand Jury.

Following testimony today before
the Marion County grand jury investl-
eating financial affairs of Governor
McCray by Joseph Forsythe, cashiea
of the Grandview 1nd) Bank, Ger
tain notes. documents and papers
were ordered impounded in a safety de
post vault here under scustody %
Clarence W. Nichols, special prose
cutor.
The order was issued by Criminal
Judge James a. Collins on petition of
Nichols. Judge Collins recently i'm
pounded records from the Discount
and Deposit State Bank Of Kentland.
A note for $500 dated July, 2,
1928, payable to the order of Warren
T. McCray. and signed by H. A
Reinhart & Co.. is understood to be
among the documents impounded. It
is due Dec. 2, 1928, and was Endorsed
by Warren T McCray.
Another note in the collection is
one for s.. 900 made out to McCray by
the Morgan County Stock Farm Com
pany, W. J. Hendry, manager, on
July 2. 1923. 1t was Endorsed by the
Letters in Collection
Three letters from Warren T. Nc
Cray. dated June 6. June 9 and Dec.
y. 1921, tn the Grandview Bank were
included In the impounding. IT was
learned. as were three letters from the
hank cashier in reply.
1t was thought the documents were
sE-kv T.
this morning, and their impOunding
indicates they win be considered again
by the body
Other witnesses to appear We're
Ross H. Wallace, president of the
Aetna Savings and Trust Company,
Indianapolis. and Amos Morris.
cashier Of the Discount and Deposit
State Bank. Kentland, Ind. 1t was
said that none of the witnesses have
been discharged.
James P. Goodrich. former Gov
ernor OF Indiana and president Of
the National City Bank, has been
subpoeuaed to appear before grand
jury. He was expected to appear
before the jury Wednesday.
Morris i'm Conference
Morris was in conference with Clar-
ence w Nichols. special prosecutor in
charge of the investigation. nearly all
Monday afternoon. The : Kentland
bank is involved in the deal through
which McCray obtained S155. 900 of
State board of agriculture money. in
the transaction in which McCray says
he used $4,000 of State money by
mistake, and in numerous other Nc
Cray transactions.
Goodrich is believed to know con-
siderable about McCray's affairs. He
headed the pool of $3.50. 000~ which met
the Governors most pressing Obhga-
tons, including those to the board of
and TO the Kentland bank
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1923-11-20

thing at law. But the pro-
moter wanted the public to be-
ieve he had something differ
ent to offer, and discovered
that whenever he changed the
brand of his wares his sales
jumped by leaps and bounds.
The only thing he had to do
was be first to change the new
mama and then hang onto it
until It was played out.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1923-11-20

ant literature, advertisements and
misleading circulars, they lombard
ed abe country with a cloudburst of
roseate promises mostly built upon
yelled Misrepresentation and day
dreams OF finding oil.
Mention of the name of that
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1923-11-20

rel. This is the estimate Of Gov
eminent accountants who have
checked the swindle operations.
Something for nothing, or lot
for little was their particular stock
in trade.
BY means of empower, fianboy-
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1923-11-20
TWO MIDDLE CHANGES
Shapley and Zeuber Made Regulars
for West Point Clash

ANNAPOLIS. Md. Now 2O.-Sur-
prise was caused here by the an
today that Shapley
would replace Barchet. the star Navy
back, and that Zeuber would play
center. instead of Matthews in the
Army game Saturday
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1923-11-20
LONE BANK BANDIT GETS
$4,000 CASH AT DAYTON
By United Press

DAYTON, Ohio. Nov 20.-An
armed man walked into the east end
branch of the Dayton Savings and
Trust Bank today. forced Charles Nc
Mullen. cashier, TO scoop $4,000 or
more in currency into a bag, walked
out with the loot and disappeared.
The robbery occurred at busy
corner where scores of people were
passing.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1923-11-20

Shades OF Cicero,
The oratorical sages OF Rome
would turn over In their graves TO
see Edward Brown. Z, OF 451 n. Cal
ifornia St. filling their shoes
Every day, as president Of the
Health and Happiness Club Of grade
2B, school 5. California and w
Washington SITS, Edward addresses
his fellow members concerning their
conduct rs constituents OF a civic
community. the schoolroom.
Captains report comes from the
president.
Row has conducted itself with
out reproach. Mr.. President" And
II row hasn't been especially good
1t gets a stern lecture from Edward.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1923-11-20

will return to school She will grad
uate in June.
The dead sister, karine. formerly
was a student at the Teachers Col
lege Of Indianapolis.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1923-11-20
TELEPHONE CHIEF DIES

President of Ohio Bell Company Sue
cumbs in Columbus Hospital
BIZ United Press
COLUMBUS, Ohio, Nov. 20.-Eu
gene V. Reed, 43, president Of the Ohio
Bell Telephone Company, died in
hospital today. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT an
abdominal operation Saturday.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1923-11-20
BY ROY ]. GIBBONS
NEA Service Writer

ANESFA CEI VICE " IINtI
TIT. WORTH, Texas. Nov. 20
L Never before in all the his
IL tory Of ''come-on" games has
so monstrous and constituencies a
piece OF fraud been perpetrated on
the American public. as here BY
aimnam OF promotion artists,
When I say this, do SO I'M
eQuivocaIly and without fear OF
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1923-11-20
HOURLY TEMPERAppRE
EDITORS NOTE
- EFORE you buy. any form of secur-
x ity: INVESTIGATE. Thousands Of
- persona in parts of the United States
- Ahan thaE renaiEel aIllrlnc litera-
ISL
EDITORS NOTE


sure of irresponsible oil companies operating
u and around Fl. Worth. Texas, failed to
heed this warning. They bought-now Fed
erzI authorities are investigating. To date.
forty have been convicted or pleaded guilty
to fraud charges.
IN the hope of protecting our readers
from 8 similar misfortune the Indianapolis
Times and NEA Service sent Roy Gibbons
10 TT. Worth tc investigate for the home
z3Blks
" This is the FIRST of series of stories by
Gibbons: stories every man, woman and
rhfld in indianapolis should read.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1923-11-20


ANY speeches today?" Then fol
low serlous-minded utterances by
students on their own conduct on
the street and in the schoolroom.
The presidents address follows.
summing UP the general attitude of
his followers and reminding them
that lessons must be strictly at
tended to during this, Education
Week
Emma Smith, Z, of 323 Blake St.
is, captain OF the girls. Miss Eliza
beth Mills. the teacher. Is RESPONSE
bic for the organization Of the Health
and Happiness Club apd in putting
her pupils upon their own RESPONSE
bilitV