Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1879-05-08
INDIANA TRAGEDY.
Sad Sequel to a Terrible Family
Tragedy.
Two Innocent Men Hurt In an Effort TO
Kill the Alleged Traducer Of a
Dead Daughter.
Specialize Cincinnati Enquirer.

INDIANAPOLIS, IND, May ga
supplement was had to-day in the
Harding-L Light ~imbroglio, as dis.
patched to the Enquirer Sunday night
but that of o-day is serious in char.
acter and likely to endanger the per.
sonal liberty of the attacking party.
After the attempt Sunday evening tC
shoot Calvin A.. Light, Of the Demo
crat, at his residence on Sixth street.
Mr.. Harding was held for assault with
intent to kill, and was imprisoned in
the police station located on that
street: Somewhat later he demanded
his release, claiming that he was a re-
sponslble citizen, while his accuser
was irresponsible, and, becoming VIC
lent over the refusal, he was removed
TOR safer keeping to the downtown
office. About 3 o'clock this morning
the mayor fixed his bail at $500, which
was readily secured, and the editor of
the Herald then went home, apparent
ly realizing the gravity of the situa-
ton. From his demeanor his friends
confidently hoped that his sober judg-
ment had returned, and therefore
were not prepared for the occurrences
later in the day.
At an early hour this forenoon Mr..
Harding was noticed coming down
town, stopping at a pawn-broking es-
adjustment on North Illinois street,
where he purchased a heavy large
sized navy revolver, alleging he was
going to shoot cats. Twenty minutes
later he passed up the stairway lead
ing to the Democrat office, in Miller
Block, and as Light looked up from
his desk Mr.. Harding met him with
loaded weapon and pulled trigger
There were two compositors working
in the same room, and the first shot,
missing Light, struck Richard Wal
ters, one of the type-setters, in the
leg, inficting a slight wound. All
this time the Democrat editor was
dogding around with superhuman
agility, yelling murder and crying for
help, but making no effort to escape
or close with his antagonist. Walters
was also terribly frightened, and in
his frenzy sprang through the second
story window to the ground below.
d~islocating both ankles and causing
injuries which will disable him for
life, in the judgment of attendant
surgeons.
The second shot also missed its aim.
andini its course hit Gerhardt, the other
compOsitor, striking him near the hip.
ranging downward to the bone, then
coming upward and glancing across the
spinal column lodged under the skin
an inch or more to the right. The
wound is severe but not specially dan
gerous one, but it may result in partial
paralysis of the lower limbs. the
natural effect of an injury to the spinal
cord. The weapon missed FIRE ON the
third revolution, sent a bullet wide of
its mark on the fourth, and again
fruitlessly snapped on the fifth, by
which time hasitues of the block,
attracted by the sound Of the firing
and Lights cries for aid. ran in and
pulled Mr.. Harding out of the Office.
He readily submitted to be disarmed.
and left the building Immediately.
After he was well out of range Mr..
Light came rushing into the hallway.
armed with "mallet'' and shooting
stick" and yelling voeiferously.
Where is he?'-haying no effect.
however, save than to add a sort of
ludicrous finish to the dangerous scene
in the adjining room. The Herald
editor vouchsafed no explanation be.
yond the remark that he had been
trying to kill a dead rat, and pro-
ceeded at once to his Office, where he
was placed under arrest by Captain
Campbell, of the police force. After
the arrest he pe%rsistently declined to
talk about this mornings affair. but
stated, concerning Sunday nights
business, that he did not 90 into
Lights residence. 81 was shown the
place. he continued, and outside
the door | inquired of woman if that
was the place. She threw up her
hands and screamed, My God. oh, my
GOdp several times, which hustered
me, and then Light and some one else
sneaked up behind me and we had a
struggle in front of the residence.
had my revolver with me, but did
not attempt to use it. l did not %
to the house to shoot him, for if
had wanted to kill the pestiferous
%scoundrel | should have sought some
other opportunity. | went there tC
talk with him-that was ALL" In re.
lation to to days affair, he remarked
to the reporters: Say for me, if ANY
innocent party was hurt, you cannot
express my contrition too strongly.
would rather 60 to the p%enitentiary foi
a term of years than injurc an limo.
cent party, and / will make anyrepara.
ton desirable" At 10 o'clock he wal
arraigned in the city court upon foul
distinct charges Of assault with intent
to kill, two upon Light, and the other,
covering the shooting of Lizius anC
Walters. BY advice of counsel pre-.
liminary examination was waived, but
the court declined to fix the amount
of surety until the extent of the injury
to young Lizius was determined. Hi,
friends also desired that the defendant
be held in custody, for in his present
mood they feared a repetition of Sun.
day and to-day's occurrences. 1t is
the belief of those who know him best
that Mr., Harding has become tempo.
rarily deranged, and his actions since
Saturday night would Indicate this
Notwithstanding he has been under the
influence of intoxicants for severa.
days past.
The trouble between Mr.. Hardin.
aud Light has existed since early il
1877, and at rare intervals the Herald
has referred TO the latter in uncompli
mentary terms. Some weeks ago
sort Of triangular fight broke out
usn.,aI L., Go1 HoAl ALL AZ