The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1927-08-30

The first effort was made
after a conference held in the
Office of Jackson, then secre-
tary of State and a candidate
for Governor. At that con-
ference were Jackson, Coffin,
and one other, who was asked
for the $4,000.
At the time, McCray was under
indictment. Els money was gone.
He was known to be in need OF
funds for his defense.
When Jackson made the offer of
money and the broad promise that
no jury would convict McCray, the
answer was "I have lost my money.
I may lose my liberty. 1 will lose
my Office. But I still have my self
respect"
Turn to Stephenson
So intent were those in this con-
ference on the selection of a Coffin
man for the prosecutorship that they
did not stop:
They turned to D. c. Stephenson,
then a dictator in the making, the
former dragon of the Klan.
He was asked to furnish the same
amount and make the same offer,
but the difficulty was that Stephen
son was not known to James P. Noel,
then chief attorney for McCray.
He did not hesitate to make the
offer. He wanted at least an intro
duction and the answer was easy.
Bob Marsh knows Noel" was the
response, and Marsh appeared in
the picture.
Marsh had been named by Steph-
enson as the GA of the Ku Klux
Klan, in charge of its legal affairs.
He was assigned as general counsel
of the extension department. His
salary from the Klan was $4,000
year.
Marsh at Celebration
When the Klan celebrated the
chartering of the hooded order in
this State, Marsh was at Melfalfa
park in Koko1no. That celebration
was held on July 4, 1923.
Upon the platform was DR.. Hi
ram W. Evans, imperial wizard of
the order; D. G. Stephenson was
there as the grand dragon. So was
Walter F. Bossert, who was to sue
ceed him and denounce him later.
Programs were printed for the oc-
casion, rather elaborate affairs, and
upon that program was announced,
with other events: Speech by G 4
Of Indiana" Robert I. Marsh.
Zone Of States Greatest"
And beneath it was printed this
description of this speaker: zone
of Indiana's Greatest Lawyers"
So it was to Marsh, This attorney
in the Klan, that Stephenson turned
for an introduction to the lawyer
to whom he was to offer money and
immunity for client.
The GA delivered. He went to
the Office of Noel with Stephenson
and made the introductions. He
remained to listen to the offer by
Stephenson, to receive the answer
of Noel that it would be submitted
to McCray, then in such desperate
nearness to the cell.
1t was one of Stephenson's dra-
matte moments. He dilated at
length upon his power not only in
Indiana, but in other States. His
arms swept out in inclusive gestures
as he declared, with an emphasis
that made it clear that his words
were not idle and that he had the
power, that he could write the YER
diets of juries not only in Marion
County, but anywhere in this coun-
try.
Tells of His Power
He told Of his power in other
States, the .vastness of his organi-
zation, the fidelity of his followers,
his ability to deliver politicians. and
courts and all government
And while he talked Robert I.
Marsh, law partner of the present
Governor, sat and listened.
His presence was. if anything,
guarantee Of the ability of Stephen
son to make good.
That offer Of Stephenson never