Rensselaer Journal, Volume 10, Number 45, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 April 1901 — Held for Keeping “Fence.” [ARTICLE]

Held for Keeping “Fence.”

Justin N. Semon, an Alexandria, Ind., merchant, charged with having received stolen goods, is on trial in the Madteon circuit court. It is alleged that Semon has for several years been conducting a “fence,” receiving stolen goods in large quantities from the crooks throughout this part of the country. Clothing, dry goods, shoes, etc., were received by Semon and shipped to Chicago firms. Howard Boone, serving a sentence in the Jeffersonville penitentiary for robbery, testified yesterday, confessing his guilt and incriminating three others. Twenty-five stores in gas belt cities were robbed by these men and in two months $5,000 worth of stolen goods were delivered to Semon. Frank Myers and Frank Beaming, two other members of the gang, are in prison in other states and another is still at large.