Rensselaer Republican, Volume 17, Number 46, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 July 1885 — THE NMONN ROBBERY. [ARTICLE]

THE NMONN ROBBERY.

Mental (Condition of Davis— A Change of Tactics on the Part oi the Defense. £ouisville Commercial. Rumors have been current, for more than a week past that a now and sensational phase is to be exposed in the late express robbery case of George K. Davis, express messenger on the Louisville, New Albany <Sr Chicago railway. Charles Chambers, held under bond at Bloomington. Ind., charged with the offensq, is to have a trial in September, and he has able counsel who will make a vigorous defence, Setting up the claim of au alibi. His lawyers say that at .trial time they will show that Chambers has had nothing whatever to do with the robbeiy. and that the matter has been urged against him merely to weaken suspicions attached to the really guilty parties or party. It is to be claimed, when Chambers is brought to trial, that a young man who has been long in the employ of the railroad, and who, taking advantage of a position in close proximity to that of Davis's, is guilty of aJeollusioh with the robber, and that he played a forward part in instigating and perfecting the robbery. Evidence is to be adduced to show that he entered into an agreement with a robber to enter the car at Harrodsburg, the scene of the robbery, and at that place Davis was -to he killed, thrown from the car in the woods, and that nothing Was to be reported of the case lor an hour, when it was to be claimed that the expressman jumped from the car, or, at least, fell from it. Colonel George W. Friedlcv. of Bedford, Ind., attorney for the road, is fully cognizant of this move, and is . to give it u thorough investigation. By reason of the recovery of Davis, the expressman, a change of tactics in the case is to be made, so reports have it. Davis was thought at first to be dangerously wounded, but he has almost fully recovered, and has been out of doors for some time. The case, as a fact, hangs on him, whether he will be able to identify the man who made the attack. There io serious dbubt as to his ability to point out the robber, and for this reason it is calculated that Chambers, though he may be guilty will have a loophole here for escape. He will make a strong alibi with an array of witnesses. The inability of Davis to identify him will be a strong point in his favor. Various reports regarding the exact conditionlof Davis have been set afloat. A reporter made a thorough investigation of them yesterday. A visit was made to the young man’s home. It was found that he was on a pleasure trip to Chicago, along with some associate express messengers. His brother said that he had not recovered from the shot mentally, though phvsteadyhe was perfectly well. His uncle and physician, Dr. M. K. Allen, said that the effect ot the bullet, which touched his brain, was still plainly perceptible. He is afflicted with the aphasia—that is, he uses words entirely inappropriate to the subject of his conversati m. He is, further, morose and absent-minded, and gives many other indications of mind feebleness.. A short time ago he realized his mental condition, and acknowledged as much to his mother. Following the instructions of his physicians, very little has been said to Davis at home about the robbery. In his delirium he would speak at.out it often, but incoherently,' but since recovery he has saidiittle, having learned that, advice had been given to sav nothing about it, in order that his brain should uot be excited over it. To three or. four associate messengers, however, he has said something of the case*, most important of which is that he wili not be able to identify ids assailant. Ho says that he was asleep wh ! en,.aUavked, and so dazed by the first blow thas-ho did not gather any di.-tiugm'shing features of the robber. He scouts the idea that any one on the train was in collusion with the bold thief, and’ believes thru tue scheme was cm neU out after lung conte in pl.t do a and inxe.-tig.i-tion. iso far as athlete barn, Davis has uo memory ot any part ot his' life bejond this accident'; though i.e' is reasonably clear about in identi after that. H.s case is similar to, the < o idnion oi au employe or trie L., X. A. d: t'. ra'.iway oi this city, who sustained concuss km of the brain by a bridge accident, but :o recovering fiom the acc.deiit lie has no memory of any event of £his life before that time, not even -one da; of i.L> .boy* hood nor any account of birth, id» parents or proluers anti sisters. Davis hi, family, but ha rerneml»trs little oi events prior t, the accident. He fully Jds mental ailment, and. tl ough he docs not refer to it often, yet he lias told his nfioihcr that be fully comprehems his situation He left yesterday on a visit to Clr- a , and on uia return next Friday will stop At Bloomington to BftU

Chambers, arrangements being made to see the latter without- his knowledge. Davis’s right eye has been rendered useless by the wound he. received, everything appearing to him in that eye out of shape and out of place.