The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1874-08-25
A DOUBLE TRAGEDY.
THE BETRAYER AND BETRAYED.
Fleeing from the Finite to the
Infinite.
A SAD FINALE TO A BRIGHT LIFE.
AN DER TRUE TALE.

AN DER TRUE TALE.
SUICIDE OF MISS FLORA HARDING-HER
FATHER SHOOTS AND WOUNDS MR.. SOL.
NORTH, HER ALLEGED sEDUcEE-THE
OF THE ATTENDING PHYsICIAN-THAT OF
MI. MoRITz--BRIEF BIOGRAPHIES OF THE
PROMINENT ACTORS IN THE TRAGEDY.
Like the lightning's bolt from clear sky,
fell the news of a domestic tragedy Thurs
day, that startled the community end sent
both thrill of horror aud gloom into every
heart. \ little after 1:3O O'Clock the report
that George C. Harding, the well-known
editor of the Herald, had shot Mr.. Sol.
Moritz, circulated, and spread
like wild-tire through the city,
Groups of excited men stood al
every street corner, gathered at the news
paper offices, and discussed the all absorb
ing topic Rumor, at first. ran wild, and
everS feature of the event was exaggerated
as additional reports came in. Reporters
flew on the wings of the wind, as il were
and finally learned the following state OF
facts: AT about 1:30 o'clock Mr. Moritz aud
Mr. Harding met at the junction of New Jer-
seq and Vermont streets with Massachusetts,
avenue. Mr. Moritz' first exclamation was
George, what are you doing here?"
Mr.. Harding made no answer, but pulling
out pistol, began firing at Mr.. MOritZ. The
latter ran up Vermont street crying out,
"don't shoot, don't shoot" Mr.. Harding con-
tinued firing. two shots taking effect in the
body of Mr.. Moritz, the third missing. AT
the fourth pull of the trigger, the cartridge
did not explode. By this time MOritz had
reached the alley running back of Robort's
Park church, on Vermont street, the blood
meanwhile flowing from his mouth and nose.
At this point he was met by DIR. RUnnels,
who hailed an express wagon going by, and
with the assistance of the driver.
LII 4
to the latter's house,at loo East North street
He was taken in and placed in the front
room of the second story. The family physi-
clan, DIR. Parvin, was sent for, but he not being
able to come, DR.. /. C.Walker wassummoned.
An examination of the pistol wounds was
made, it being found that one had entered
under the left shoulder and then through
the base of the lung. finally lodging on the
outside of the sternum or breast bone.
so that its appearance was plainly
indicated by small swelling.
A very slight probing would have sufficed
wounded mans weak condition this was
deemed unnecessary. The second ball en-
tered the left arm just below the elbow,
CUT THROUGH THE FLESH,
hit the bone aud dropped out. leaving only
a trace of its course After the wounds
had been dressed, MoritZ felt more comfort
able, and though weak, was comparatively
easy. He was bleeding internally
and considerable anxiety was felt lest this
hour, Drs. Parvin and Athon were called in
and held a consultation. By 3 o'clock
Noritz was considerably easier. and his
physicians gave the opinion that the wound
would not prove fatal unless Inflammation
setin. During the afternoon hosts of people
called at the house. but very few were
admitted, as it was deemed necessary
TO keep the patient quiet. People
stood outside aud talked in whispers,
carriages stopped in the street and inquiries
were made ON all sides as TO the probable
termination of the affair. Down town the
theme was discussed. Crowds stood at Mr..
Wright's store, many even up to late hour
supposing that the tragedy had been
enacted within. Go where you would,
rumors and counter rumors were
afiost. Neither were the public silent
regarding their expressions of sympa-
thy. At first they we're bewildered at the
event. 'sWhy was it?" "What does the at
tack mean?n etc. But this was explained
when it was stated that Mr.. Moritz was ac-
cused of seducing Miss Flora Harding 1.-THE
daughter of George Harding), who
the point of death. This was the
key to the whole matter, and served
to renew the blaze of excitement, which
now burned all the fiercer. On every side
was heard the loudest expressions of con-
sympathetic ones for the father who had
thus sought to avenge lH
HIS DAUGHTERS RUIN.
But amidst all this excitement the news of
the scene at the house of mourning sajdened
the community, and every one felt the ut
most sympathy with the afflicted house,
hold. sfltfa 0 sn.. .st.f Hfsfl ha. ,l
EYE-wITNEssBs' STATEMENTS. 81
&c. Newcomb, nephew of Judge New
comb, was standing at the corner of Ala
bsma and Vermont streets at the time the
shooting took place, and was a witness Of
the entire affair from the beginning to the
close. He states that Harding came up near
the street corner and stopped for few sec
onds, looking down toward the ground.
He seemed agitated and In trouble.
Moritz came along almost Immediately
after Harding had reached the corner, and
the two talked together for two minutes or
more. Newcomb saw the two gesticulating,
but was unable to hear what was said, but
from the etions OF the two, thought there
would be difficulty. Just then Newcomb
turned his face for a moment, and when be
looked again Moritz was running west on
Vermont street, a few feet ahead of Hard
ing, closely pursued by the latter, who was
firing upon him. After the first shot the pis-
toll missed fire twice from defective caps
Harding kept cooking the pistol, and at
lno nt4b euOb I'LL n1Or1tL, Ouo SuOt Ocluk Tue
one that took effect in Moritz's side. Hard
ing kept firing as long as his pistol would go
on. keeping all the time within 10 or II feet
of Moritz, who would look back each time
that Harding fired, giving an exclamation
as If in pain when the shots struck him.
AS soon as the firing was
over young Newcomb went up to
Moritz and asked him what Harding had
been shooting at him for. Moritz replied
that he did not know. he then leaned up
against fence post near the corner of Yer
mont, and commenced splitting blood. He
had been reeling before and seemed very
much under the influence of fear. AS the
crowd began TO gather around he said,
m "BoYs, AM GONE"
Newcomb was one of the first to reach him