Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-09-05
The Horrible Murder of August
Gardner.


The Louisville Commercial of the "a contains
the particulars of the arrest of certain parties
suspected Of having tied August GArdner 20 the
railroad track near Henrysville, Ind, recently.
That paper says: "Henrysville is a little couu-
try town on the Jefersonyille, Madison aud Iu-
dianapolis railroad, twenty-one miles from
Louisville, made notorious by its proximity ID
the scene OF the Park family murder of three
years ago. The town has q number OF good cit
liens, enough to save il from the fate OF SOdom
and Gomorrah, but its chief characteristic is the
OF reckless despeTadoes. They lay around the
town drinking and carousing, and the result is
frequent severe rows and often murders. The
suspected parties from the first were Ezekiel
Clark, Alexander Lewis and Robert Pruett.
alias Bob Thomas. They, together with a N al
named Jonathan Smith, were engaged in play
ing cards on Saturday afternoon in stable, the
game breaking mp in row between Lewis aud
Smith at about nve o'clock. About that time
August Gardner, the murdered man, came
into the town, en- route 70 Louisville, and at
about $50 O'clock CLARK and he were seen IN
close conversation at Henry Bolinger's store
subsequently Clark and Lewis we're seen to en-
ter GurnseY's store, as though looking for some
one, after which Clark was seen to borrow a
knife from Alex. Mitchell, a boy, who is his
brother-in law. Clark and Lewis were then
seen going down street. and Mr.. John q. Stuard
followed them, having noticed their suspicious
actions. He saw them look In Proll's store. as
IL on the hunt of some one. The pair thence
went to Bollinger's store, Lewis going inside
and Clark looking through the window. The
latter was then seen to hold brief conversation
Lewis started down the road. Gardner pur-
chased some cheese at q store about p. m, and
was last seen going down the railroad about p.
m. The latter hour was about the time Stuard
saw Clark and Lewis going in the same direc
ton. The MANILA rope with which Gardner
was tied to the rail is thought to have been
cured at Everett & Bros tan yard, at the 10 yer
part OF the town. The piece found at the
scene OF the murder corresponds with rope
at the yard, and ueed in tying bales of hides.
Jonathan Smith reports that he saw Clark and
wifi ARD
about dark, which is about all that is known OF
the connection Of the men, except that above
related. 1t was also found that Clark could not
give an account Of himself on that night with
any certainty. He claimed TO have stayed at the
house of MIR. Mitchell, his fsther-in-Iaw, but il
is claimed he got in very late if he did. Early
Sunday morning he left town for home in Scott
county, eight miles distant He is reported 70
have told the neighbors there that the railroad
would have TO pay heavy bill of damages, as a
man had been run over and had his leg cut of,
below HeDryville, Saturday night. AS Clark
left HenryvIlle over an hour before the shove
fact was known, he could not have heard it. In
addition to these facts there are several other
suspicious circumstances that point TO Clark
and Lewis as at least having guilty kno Wedge
of the murder.
Monday evening the citizens of Henryville
raised purse of S6C0 as a reward for the appre-
hension and conviction of the murderers. Those
who were working up the case felt satisfied that
Clark and Lewis were the parties, and that
Pruett had guilty knowledge. They according
" filed complaints against Clark, Lewis and
Pruett for carrying concealed weapons. The
arrests were made that night, and the parties
were arraigned yesterday before Squire q. G.
GurDsey. The case against Pruett was dis
missed, and the cases against the other two were
continued for process until next Tuesday. As
the parties were about TO give bail q warrant
for murder was filed against Clark and Lewis,
and they were held in custody. When the war
rant was read to Lewis he almost tainted from
fright. Clark, who is cool and deliberate, man
ifested 10 perceptible alarm. Judge Lowering
appeared for the defense, and j. X. Mersh, esq,
and Matthew Clegg for the st2tes As the state
was lot ready for trial, the case was continued
until THURSDAY, Sept 3, at 10 a. m, and Lewis
and Clark were sent 10 jail at Charles6own.
PTuett was held to bond for his appearance to
testify at the trial. Sc far there has been no
clue that connects PTuett with the murder
Alex. Mitchell, the boy alluded 70 above, could
not be found in Henry vile yesterday afternoon.
He ned after the Arrangement OF Clark and
Lewis, and before the constable could summon
him to appear a witness. His sudden leaving
creates a suspicion that he knows more than he
cares to tell.
Clark is a spare-built, sandy complexioned
man, red goatee and gray eyes He is des-
peIate character, one of those cool, calculating
villains, who would as leave cut q throat as ear
piece of mince pie. He WAS sent TO the JEFF
fersonyille prison few years ago from Scott
county for horse stealing. Lewis is a thick set.
dark compexioned man, and weighs about IGj
pounds. He has villainous look, and has been
connected with several bold robberies, and Al
ways escaped by peachiBg on his pals. The
people of Henryyille say that Lewis will blow
the whole affair in due time.
The excitement at Henryville on Sunday and
Monday was intense, but had somewhat quieted
yesterday after the arrest OF Clark and Lewis
There rs disposition to give the prisoners every
facility to prove an abb If they can, but 1t il
evident that no foolishuess will be tolerated"