The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1930-10-16
Others to Be Arrested in
Few Hours Sheriff
Campbell Promises.
Py Tim es SpeciaI

EW lUlCS GDeCtub
MARION, Oct. 16.-The first of
seven Marion men charged with
being leaders of the mob which
lynched two Negroes on the court
house lawn here Aug. 7, were ar
rested shortly before noon today.
He was Robert Beshire, As, Marion
restaurant proprietor, one of the
seven against whom warrants were
issued late Wednesday on afidavits
filed by Attorney-General James M.
Ogden.
Beshire was released after pro-
viding $4,000 bond fixed for all de-
PENDANTS by Judge o. D. Clawson OF
Grant circuit court.
Released on his own recognizance
when arraigned this morning, Sher-
of Jacob Campbell said he expected
the arrest within a few hours" of
several of the alleged mob leaders.
Charged With Neglect
In an af1davit filed late Wednes-
day by Attorney General James M.
Ogden, Sheriff Campbell was
charged with failure to perform his
duty in connection with the lynch
ing. Campbell today did not enter
a plea.
Judge Clawson explained he was
releasing Campbell on his own rec
ognizance because the court doubted
if the action is a criminal matter,
because the penalty is forfeiture of
office and because the court believed
the fine, if conviction is obtained,
would be covered by the sheriff's
general bond.
Marion residents interest was
keyed to a keener pitch by the i'm
ninent arrests today than at any
time since the lynching. The court
and members 81 the Marion bar
denounced the reiease of names of
alleged mob leaders to indianapolis
newspapers several hours before
warrants we're handed the sheriff.
The newspapers preceded Ogden's
arrival here.
Regarded as Alibi
Until Campbell promised prompt
action, it was reported deputies
would seize upon premature an
nouncement of the names as an
excuse for inaction.
Those named in the af1davits as
alleged lynchers, besides Besnire are
Charles Lennon, taxi drived; Everett
j. Clarke. Arnold Waller, truck
driver; Chester Pease, taxi driver,
and Boyd and Prainn, whose first
names remained unsupplied by the
attorney generals office.
It was covertly reported that sew
eral others who took active part in
the lynching of two Negro prisoners
on the courthouse lawn on the night
of Aug. Z, had left town.
Meanwhile, the discussion regard
ing the attorney generals action
centered upon its possible political
effect in the November election.
Sheriff Campbell himself, who also
is Grant county Republican chair
man, is quoted as saying in reply to
the question of hurting his party's
chances:
Not a bit; it will help, if any
thing"
Swears to Affidavits
H. L. Connolly, clerk of Grant
circuit court. who is candidate for
reelection on the Republican ticket,
expressed himself in similar vein
when Ogden appeared with the pa
pers for filing.
'',rhe Negro vote always has gone
my way" Connolly asserted. Il be-
lieve that this will help"
Ogden was accompanied to Con-
nelly's Office by Merl Wall. deputy
attorney general, and Arthur Bru-
ner, undercover man for Ogden's Of
fee.
Bruner swore to the affidavits in
the clerks presence and the trio
was told that warrants would be
issued at once. Wall. however, went
to see Prosecutor Harley F. Hardin
to secure his signature also, but was
refused.
Confers With Court
Later. Ogden. Wall and Hardin
went into conference for an hour
with. Judge Clawson. At the ter
mination Hardin's signature still
remained unafixed to the af1davits.
Campbell. whose Office adjoins the
courtroom, procured his warrant
from Connolly and went over to
Upland to have it properly served.
on him by Coroner o. L. Stout.
He then returned to attend a Re-
publican rally at Marion. Ogden and
his aids had returned to Indian
apolis.
A Grant county grand jury re-
Gently exonerated Campbell of
blame in connection with the hang
ing and returned no indictments
agaist mob leaders.
Carries Death Penalty
Conviction for participation &C
lively carries the death penalty, or
/ life imprisonment.
Charges against Campbell, if re-
! sulting in conviction, would cause
his removal from Office and he
would be fined $1,000 No bail had
been set for him and he was work
ing again as sheriff and county
chairman today. He also is a men,
Der of Governor Harry G. Leslies
crime commission.
IndiaEa law requires the attor-
neyryenersl to proceed agai1st lae
shelf when local authQritx