Evening Republican, Volume 15, Number 213, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 September 1911 — TOM KNOTTS ACCUSED OF ACCEPTING BRIBE. [ARTICLE]

TOM KNOTTS ACCUSED OF ACCEPTING BRIBE.

Mayor of Gary Arrested After Shrewd Work by Detective—Councilmen Also In Bribe Business. Gary, Ind., September B.—Thomas E. Knotts, mayor of Gary,. was arrested today on the charge of soliciting and accepting a bribe of $5,000 for signing the Dean heating franchise. The mayor was arrested by deputy sheriffs near the city hall. They entered his office shortly after T. B. Dean, who signed the affidavit, came from the executive office with the franchise./ Before entering the office Dean was searched by four persons to prove that he was taking money into the room. When he came from it he was again searched. He told the deputies to serve the warrant and they would find the money in an envelope in a pigeon hole in the mayor’s desk. Thtf deputies then went into the room, arrested the mayor, who was released after he had given $5,000 bond signed by his brother, A. F. Knotts, former mayor of Hammond. Immediately after the mayor’s arrest the officers obtained an automobile and started for other city officials. They met Walter Gibson, councilman, and served him with a warrant, charging him with soliciting a SSOO bribe. Gibson was arrested last winter on bribery charges preferred by Mayor Knotts. His case is now in the superior court. T. B. Dean, the recipient of the franchise, came to Gary six months ago. He says that he is from near Richmond, Madison county, Kentucky. He appeared to have plenty of money. Dean is a smooth shaved, quiet talking young man of about thirty and appears to have wonderful success in getting his franchises.

His story is As follows: “I came here to get a franchise for a central heating station. Before lons it became apparent that I would have to pay. I then consulted my attorney, Judge Walters, of the Chicago law firm of Bougex & Walters. We then laid our plans of action. “Dictagraphs, such as were used to trap the Ohio legislative bribers, were inataUed in my*room in the Gary hotel and in an adjoining room and what is more, they were installed in the mayor’s office in the city hall. The dictagraphs were so arranged that they either recorded what was spoken or a stenographer .hidden could take down the conversation. “Before Mayor Knotts went west six weeks ago, be intimated that $5,000 would have to be given him. “John J. Nyhoff, until recently commissioner of public works, came to my room for his vote. I have three of his conversations recorded and preserved in Chicago safety deposit vaults. City Engineer Williston and Aiderman Bowers were given money by me. “There were several visits to my room in the Gary hotel by both officials ■ and each time the dictagraph enabled their conversation to be heard by two, three and four witnesses in other rooms. At other times I took aidermen to Chicago and deposited their bribe money in our joint names. Aidermen Mike Walsh and W. 8. Feur I found to be honest men.” Whether Dean is a clever detective engaged by the steel trust or some one else is a matter of conjecture. Mayor Knotts* career as mayor has been a stormy one. Last June he was acquitted in the Porter circuit court of election frauds and of conspiring, to murder Sheriff Grant He is also waiting trial on the charge of embezzling $2,000 of the city court funds which were entrusted to his care while acting as city judge.

Given away free—absolutely free, a beautiful 41 piece dinner set Saturday afternoon, Sept IS. Get coupons now, at VanArsdel’s. ■ II I H I————— John Merritt was down town yesterday for the first time In about two weeks. He has been having a bad time with his stomach and bowels and will probably not be able to return to bls work in the grocery department of the Murray store for a week or more. Mrs. George Cooley and her husband's mother came down from Lowell this, morning to visit him, but found after their arrival here that he bad gone to Lowell owing to the fact that work at the match factory had been suspended for the day. They returned home this afternoon. " J. H. O'Neal! came from Jeffersonville this morning, whore he Is working as a field examiner on the state board of accountants. Mrs. O’Neal 1 and their little daughter are here at the home of their parents, Mr. and Mrs. E. M. Parcells. .