Jasper County Democrat, Volume 17, Number 65, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 November 1914 — “HANK’ GRANGER ARRESTED [ARTICLE]

“HANK’ GRANGER ARRESTED

In Hammond Tuesdoy on Orders Erom Newton County—Asserts His Innocence of Alleged Auto Thefts. The Hammond News states that " Hank” Granger, whose alleged connection with Chicago auto thefts has been mentioned heretofore, was arrested in Hammond shortly before noon Tuesday, and that the arrest was made by Capt. George Hanlon of the Hammond police department, at the request of Prosecuting Attorney Longwell of Newton county. Longwell had wired the Hammond police several days ago to arrest Granger if he showed up there, the News states. Nothing was seen of him until Tuesday, when he stopped to talk to a man on llohman street, almost directly opposite the ppllce station. Then Hanlon went out and arrested him. The News says, that accompanied by a police officer, Granger was allowed to do some shopping in Hammond that afternoon. He declared that lie was tUe victim of a frameup and that there were absolutely no grounds for his connection with the auto theft scandal. Granger said: '1 can't understand why they telegraphed to Hammond for my arrest 1 have never attempted to run away from home and simply came up here today oil business. They could have arrested me at home uuy time if they had desired to do so. "They ha.ve nothing on me,” he said. "I .have simply been made the goat and am the victim of a lot of wild tales published in various newspapers.” *

The request for Granger's arrest here is a mystery. The telegram from Prosecutor Longwell asking that he be taken into custody was received at the local station last Sunday. At that time Granger was at his home. He did not come to Hammond until Tuesday. t

Granger spent several unpleasant hours in the local station. “I came up here to buy a stove and some dynamite,” said he, ‘and here 1 have to sit in the station. Call up the sheriff of Newton county and lie will tell you that he will sign niy bonds.” The police did not wish to hold Granger until Wednesday for the arrival of Newton 1 county officers, so Prosecutor Longwell was reached by long distance telephone and consented to an arrangement whereby Granger should be taken to Thayer Tuesday afternoon and turned over to an officer there.

Granger freely discussed the case. He said: "I am not worried in tilt least over the alleged evidence which Chicago detectives claim to have unearthed. They cannot prove a single thing, i defy them to produce any evidence which would tend to show that i have knowingly received and disposed of a single stolen car. I bought one automobile for myself and no more.”

“My sons have also been dragged into the case. Two of them are passenger conductors on the Illinois Central and have a spotless record. Another Is the owner of a store, coal yard and real estate business, and the youngest boy who lives at home, has never been In any trouble. I don’t care so much for myself, but I dislike to have my boys publicly disgraced. I .iave never made any attempt to run away, but have remained at home ever since the first stories were circulated. I will he vindicated and then those who have assailed me unjustly will be forced to explain.” Granger had a copy of one paper which had viciously attacked him and intimated that he would file a libel suit against It.