Jasper County Democrat, Volume 18, Number 59, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 October 1915 — PROMINENT HAMMOND PEOPLE [ARTICLE]

PROMINENT HAMMOND PEOPLE

Involved in Car Robberies—Several Arrests Made—Stolen Goods Recovered. In speaking of the killing of Jesse Overly, formerly of Monticello, at Hammond recently while Overly was robbing a Monon freight car, the Montieeilo Herald says: As a climax to the killing of Jesse Overly at Hammond recently a big plot to .rob railroads has been brought to light by the Hammond police tyhich involves several prominent people of that city. Another switchman by the name ot Givens was arrested in connection with the robbery, and made a confession that was a revelation to the police, and implicated a number of prominent Hammond persons. Clews which hhve developed since the killing of Overly are being run down by the officers in an effort to locate all the guilty parties. The car which the car thieves used on the .fatal night was a Rambler and belonged to John L. Walker, who is . reported to be a highly respectedbusiness man of Hammond. Mr. Walker claims that the car was taken from his garage without his knowledge. However, upon searching the garage the police found two bags of beans stored there. When asked tQ explain their presence Walker said he had purchased them from Overly. A search of Givens’ room revealed quantities of stolen goods, among which were seven pieces of bacon. Givens’ home was in Indianapolis, where he had a wife and two children, and a number of stolen articles were recovered from his home there. In the bundle were shoes, some of which had been worn slightly, silk, blankets, shaving brushes and other articles. Alex Cassell, a car inspector on the Monon, was also arrested, and in a search of his home one hundred pair of socks, five pieces of bacon, three cured shoulders, thirty pounds of coffee, two large cheese, six boxes of toilet soap and a quantity of sugar were found. Cassell confessed to having stolen these goods. Zephre Polen, a saloon keeper at 126 Sibley street, and Hoke Lyons were arrested in connection with 3 barrels of whiskey, which were stolen several weeks ago. Two barrels of whiskey were found in the basement of his saloon. The names of at least five business men of Hammond, were freely passed about on the streets as having been connected with the car robberies. Although the police have a good description of the man who drove the car accompanying Overly, he has not yet been located. The coroner’s inquest over the body of Overly exhonorated Officer Strong of all blame,, the verdict being that the officer shot in self defense.