Jasper County Democrat, Volume 17, Number 96, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 March 1915 — RAY STILE IN JAIL. [ARTICLE]

RAY STILE IN JAIL.

Trio of Indianapolis Men Charged With* Swindling Township in Clay County. Brazil, Ind., March 6.—After being in jail last night and nearly all day Clarence C. Shipp of Indianapolis, charged with filing false claims against Jackson township, Clay county, obtained bond and was released from jail here this afternoon at 4:30 o’clock. M. Hendricks and George M. Ray, publisher of the Indianapolis Herald, of Indianapolis, held on similar charges, were still in jail tonight. Former Trustee James A. Muncie of Jackson township, with whom the Indianapolis men are alleged to have been involved in excessive charges for township supplies, is said to have made a full confession today. It is reported that a written statement of

the transactions in which he took part have been placed in the hands of his attorneys and he bopes to escape the criminal charge by turning state’s evidence. His bondsmen spent the day here, awaiting developments.

Muncie's confession is said to have been obtained after a fisherman found coal buckets and other articles, supposed to have been bought for school houses, in the river at a point not far from Muncie’s home. The tracks of a buggy are said to have led between the river and Muncies house. The supplies were new, still bearing the shipping tags, Muncie s confession explains this matter, it is said, though his reason for dumping the supplies in the river is not explained publicly. Bond for Shipp in the sum of $5,000 was provided by a bonding and insurance company. When released* from jail Shipp declined to discuss the charge that seven stoves, which came from C. C. Shipp & Co., were sold to the former trustee for nearly ten times their value. He said he would ift>t ask for a change of venue from Clay county, believihg that he could obtain a fair trial here.

Shipp, Ray and Hendricks were treated as common prisoners in the jail here. They were allowed the liberty of the corridor, however, and were not’searched.