Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-08-26
The indianapolis Tragedy.


ING SAYS ABsUF 1T.
NORTH, the Indianapolis merchant, who was
not by MT. hardisg for the alleged seduction
OF the latter's daughter, etill lives. with every
probability of q speedy recovery. He feels
more keenly, 10 is said, the statements 90 the
city papers than the pain from the wound In his
left arm. The doctors have made several at
tenpts 10 probe the wounds, but have not vet
reached the balls He still asks a Suspension of
public optimism until he has sufficiently recOv-
cred physically 20 give his version of the state
ments connected with this said affair. The
people, however, disbelieve al such assertions,
an increduiity which is enhanced by his former
questionable character. On Sunday afternoon
MOritz sent word TO the newspaper men OF the
city that be was prepared 10 make a statement
concerning what he knew in regard 20 Miss
Harding. On reaching the house be was found
lying in bed. After stating IN At he experiensed
little pain from his wound, he said he never
knew the girl until last winter, aud was &C no
time intimate with her, and certainly never had
criminal Intercourse with her. BY her wild
and tmmodest manner he found that she was
attracting much attention from young men of
dissolute character, for which she was severely
criticised by her FRIENDS and talked sbout by
aer neighbors. Subsequently he learned that
she visited houses Of bad character, and that
qusintsnce OF a man named Gustave Miller,
lhen bOOkkceper IN the wholesale hardware
house or kimball, Altman q Co., who
lad ever since been her man. That be
~everal times advised her To be more
'rrdert in her conduct on the street,
and especially in her selection OF company.
Wntn MI. hSTulng lett Tor the Hot Springs,
two or three months ago, Noritz says Harding
took him one side and Informed him th AZ he was
much troubled about his daughter, that he did
not like her actions, and dresded TO leave home
solely on her account. That he asked him
(Moritzl 70 look after the girl. 10 advise her
prudently, and, IL possible, 20 draw her away
from that Miller. That Miss Harding by degrees
became possessed OF the Information that MOritz
was assisting her father 20 break up this Illicit
connection, accused him 70 his face OF meddhng
With ether peoples business, and finally re-
garded him In the light of an inveterate enemy.
20 that she would not speak 20 him. He pro-
fessed also 70 know that on the night when she
took poison Miss Harding had received bitter
letter from Miller, renouncing all connection
with her; that in her agony At being thus radely
cat OF by the only man she loved, she decided
upon suicide.
At this time IL is OF course impossible 10 deter.
mine bow much truth there IL I'm what MOritz
says. Kimball, Aikman & Co. deny that any
such man az Miller was ever In their employ, or
that they ever knew any such person. Other
specific statements, where third parties are
mentioned, also lack confederation.
Mrs Jennie Morris, Of Charleston, ILL.,, Geo.
Harding e first wife, from whom he was divorced
several years ago, and mother OF Flora Harding,
said, in an interview with her to- day, that tue
cause or the girls suicide was maltreatment on
the part OF her stepmother and father; that some
time ago she Mr.. Morris) wrote Flora TO meet
her at Terra Haute, but that Mr.. Harding and
his wife got hold OF the letter, and ever after
ward treated the girl badly; that Miss Harding
believe that Flora was ever seduced.