The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-02-15
JACKSON IS BRANDED BEIBE POTTER BY STEVE

Nov, Mr.. Jones, that statement
about the woman was just Sar-
castle remark and is not to be taken
seriously" Stephenson laughed.
Jones took a copy of Stephen
sons petition for temporary parole
to the witness stand and read por-
tons in which the prisoner had as
serted attempts had been made on
his life in State Prison.
Charges Murder Reward
It contained the allegation that
prison attaches had been informed
that the man who would shove
Stephenson down stairs at the pris-
on so as to cost him his life would
be rewarded.
The petition asserted he was
shoed down stairs and seriously in
Jured, but the statement was COR
rected in a later place in the petit
ton, Stephenson saying it had been
an accident and his own fault.
He was asked if it was not true
that he had held up his right hand
and sworn to statements he made
before the State Board of Charities
when the board investigated charges
made in his petition.
Il was submitted to a series Of
questions" Stephenson related.
Il refrained from telling great
many things. I said, Anything 4.
tell will be the truth made nv
reply to the oath that way because
there were some things 1 was not
going to tell the board"
Petition Altered, He Says
He declared the petition he SUBJ
mitted had been altered after he
had read it and that he signed il
without reading it, unaware of ad-
ditlonal charges it contained,
which, he said, must have been in
serted by the person who made up
the completed report"
Then it wasn't true they tried
to take your life at the prison."
Jones asked.
Absolutely true" Stephenson an
swered heatedly.
You think all those at the prison
who restrain your liberty are out
against you, don't your"
That's the opinion in the minds
OF the people, but it's, not true"
THE warden" Stephenson re-
piled, prevented me from confer
ring with attorneys of my own Sc
lection and continues to do so to
this date"
"ou claim" Jones continued,
they won't allow you to send and
receive mail freeIy?"
mot about my business, they
won't. That's absolutely true. FIRE.
quently envelopes come to me open
and empty"
Never Asked Favors
Stephenson said he had not been
permitted to avail himself OF the
due process of law in his trial on
the charge of the murder of Madge
Oberholtzer.
I've never asked a favor since
I've been in the prison." he said.
'They have no rules at the State
prison. They make rules for their
own eXpediency."
Q-You feel pretty sore about it,
don't you? Aim aggrieved, GER
talnly. I've not been permitted to
avail myself Of the due processes of
the law.
When Jones said he had an OPP
portunity 20 take the witness stand
Gin his murder trial at NobleSviIle)a
and din't do it, Stephenson said:
II was under duress and the
threat that would be killed if 1
did"
''WhO made that threat" Jones
asked.
The man who put you on the
public service commission, Hiram
w. Evans, Imperial Wizard of the
Ku Klux Klan," Stephenson
hurled at the attorney.
Question on Death Plot
Q-Isnt it true that you plotted
with guards and prisoners about to
be paroled and paid Chicago gum
men $500 to have Governor jack
son aSsassinated? A-No (Stephen-
son shouted).
Q-Weren't those guards dis
charged? Ayes, two guards we're
discharged, but one of them right
now holds a position of RESPONSE
bility at the prison because of his
false story about the conspiracy. I
agree with Halves of Missouri that
the warden of the Indiana State
prison would commit any crime
known to nature.
Halves recently testified on prison
conditions before congressional
committee at Washington. relative
to the insterstate shipment Of
prison-made products.