The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1925-05-02
State Marshal Miller and
Prosecutor Remy Discuss
Alleged InCendiary Blaze
at Home of Ex-Grand
Dragon on KIan
BOTH REFUSE TO MAKE
STATEMENT AFTERWARD

Wizard Filed by indicted
Politician Set for May 13
Action in regard to the fire
which did about $4,000 damage
to the home Of d. G.. Stephen
son. former grand dragon of the
Indiana Ku-Klux Klan, April
II, was indicated today when
Newman T. Miller, State fire
marshal, conferred with Will
liam H. Remy, county prosecu-
tor.
Stephenson, together with his aids
Earl Klinck and Earl Gentry, are in
jail on charges of numbering Miss
Madge Oberholtzer, 2S, OF 1902
University Ave
Both Silent
Neither Miller nor Remy would
make any statement. They said,
however, that the conference was
in regard to the fire.
The fire started shortly after mid
night with an explosion in the
dining room Of the house. City fire.
man found large quantities of
gasoline and oil mixed in open con-
tainers in various parts Of the
house. Fire Chief John J. o. Brien
reported the fire was Of incendiary
origin.
According to O'Brien's report
neighbors saw lights in the house
before midnight and shortly before
the fire several automobiles were
seen in the driveway leading to the
garage. Some Of these cars left the
scene after arrival of the fire depart
ment. O'Brien said his investigation
showed.
He reported that the bed in garage
showed signs of recent occupancy
and still was warm when he ar
rived.
Suit Trial Set
Trial of the S125,O00 damage suit
brought by Stephenson against H.
W. Evans, Of Atlanta, Ga, imperial
wizard of Ku-Klux Klan, has been set
for trial before Judge Robert c. Bait
zell in Federal Court, May 13. The
suit is the outgrowth of the burning
of Stephensons yacht, Reomar II,
June 27. 1924 at the Toledo Ohio
Yacht Club. Stephenson charged
Evans with conspiracy to destroy
the craft. Suit was filed Oct. 10,
1924.
Surety bond of S25,OOO for Ste,
phenson. given by the Fidelity
and Deposit Company of Maryland,
when he was arrested on charges Of
kidnapping and attacking Miss
Oberholtzer, still Is in force, John
S. Hunt. representative of the com.
pany, said today. Bonds of $4,000
each for Klinck and Gentry also are
in force. he said Arrest of the trio
April 20 or charges of numbering
Miss Oberholtzer did not cancelfthe
bonds. he declared.
Collateral given by Stephenson TO
protect the company still is in the
company's possession.
Alleged Wife Sues
Attachment and garnishee pro
ceedings to tie W the collateral and
also real and personal property of
Stephenson pending the outcome of a
suit for support Of a Florence Cath.
crime Stephenson, ., said to be
Stephenson's daughter, were insti-
tuted Friday by Floyd J. Mattice, at.
torney for Mrs, Nettie Stephenson
Brehm of Poteau, Okla, alleged di.
vorced wife Of Stephenson and
mother of the girl. The suit asks
judgment of $4,000.
Return date was set for May 10
before Judge James Leathers in
Superior Court One. Mattice said to-
day that he probably would have to
look to the collateral held by the
bonding company for money for his
client in the event of favorable court
decisin, as he understands Steph-
enson's home at 543S University Ave.
is mortgaged for $4,000 and that
personal property either has been
moved or ruined in the recent fire at
the home.
Hearing on a motion to require
Mrs. Brehm to file nonresident s
cost bond was set for hearing at
$3.50 a. m. May 8, by Judge Leath
ers today. The motion was filed by
A. +. Cowan and r. e. Johnson, at
torney for Stephenson and was &c,
companied by affidavit signed by
Stephenson that the plaintiffs were
nonresidents of Indiana.
Stephenson, Klinck and Gentry
will be arraigned in Criminal Court
Monday on murder charges. Specu.
lation as to what steps the defense
will take at that time was rife to-
day. Among the moves that Inman
may take, according to lawyers, are
filing of a motion TO quash the in