The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1925-01-19
u, S, Wardens on Way to
Get Notorious Bandit
Captured by Police at
Muncie, Ind,
MADE ESCAPE IN 1923
Staged 100000 HoId-up
in New York Murder
Also Charged.

Two deputy wardens from Atlanta.
{Ga.} Federal Prison were on their
way to Indianapolis this after
noon to get Gerald Chapman, noto-
rious bandit, to return him to prison.
Chapman was captured by police at
Muncie, Ind. Sunday and brought to
the Marion County Jail.
He had been sought since March
27, 1923, when he escaped from the
prison hospital at Atlanta.
Chapman was thoroughly at ease
in the Jail, refusing to answer ques-
tons about his escapades.
Dressed as Gentleman
He was dressed as a gentleman
in a dark blue suit, neat cravat and
gray soft hat.
Chapman is held without. bond.
United States Marshal Linus
Meredith said he would be held here
awaiting instructions from the
warden of the Atlanta prison.
. Meanwhile two police inspectors
from New York City were on their
way here to claim Chapman. This
raised the question of whether Chap
man would be taken to Atlanta or
to New Britain. Conn.,, where he is
charged with the murder Of a police
man. It was reported from Hart
ford. Conn, that Connecticut Of
ffcials would put up fight for
custody Of the prisoner.
Chapman is being closely guarded.
Jailers say ne win not escape here.
To do so he would have to saw
through three sets OF iron bars In
the day time. or two sets at night.
Chapman, during the day is with
other prisoners In runsEag ter
tween two rows of cells. At night
he is locked in cell.
His latest Job" prior to his arrest
in Muncie was the shotoing OF the
policeman at New Britain, Conn, it
Is alleged. He was the leader. or an
accomplice, in the robbery of Gus
toms truck in New York City when
jewels and watches valued at $145.-
600 was stolen. Oct. "a, 1921, he
and his gang robbed a mail truck
at New York, obtaining $2,400. 900
In money and securities, it is
charged.
He was sentenced to Atlanta July
8, 1922, for twenty-five years, but
escaped March 8, 1923. After being
wounded he was recaptured and
placed in the hospital. Three weeks
later he escaped by overpowering a
nurse and sliding down a rope OF
sheets.
Cop Lands Blow
Muneie police, having known
Chapman was hiding in the city for
four weeks, surrounded a house in
which he was hiding and when he
left in an automobile leaped on it's
running boards and overpowered
the bandit. AS Chapman drew gun
Detective Harry Brown knocked
him down with.a blow on the jaw.
Aapint and a half of nitro glycer-
inc, stolen jewelry and $4,000 in
cash were found on his person and
in his baggage.
Don't jar the grip Chapman
said, as he was captured. There's
enough soup III there LO7Dl0W up Inc
courthouse"
Chapman was rushed to Indian
apolis in an automobile under a
heavy escort of detectives and
sheriffs.
Meredith received telegram today
from U. M. Alcorn. states attorney
at New Britain. Conn, asking that
Chapman be removed there for trial
for the murder of policeman there.
Chapman was member OF a gang
who last October blew a safe in the
StilIman department store at Muncie
and escaped with $4,000. Muncie po-
lice charge. They also say they be-
heve he was in robberies in several
small towns near Muncie