The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-03-14
"A Thieving Broker Who Robbed His
Mother and Sisters.
one of the Persons Arrested in Connection
with the st. Joe Bond Robbery Turns
States Evidence-Other Grimes.
THE DUKEs-NUTT MURDER.
The Infamous Letter Sent by Dukes to Miss
Nuts Enther. II

morning, Joseph Mutt, son of the deceased,
was put on the stand to prove that he had
seen Dukes drop an anonymous letter, re-
fiectng on his sister, in the road near his
fathers house. This evidence was ruled out
The letters which Dukes had written to Cap
tain Mutt were then offered in evidence, and
against the strenuous protest of the defense
were admitted They were read to the jury
by Mr.. Playford, and created profound
sensation in the courtroom. In point of in
fanny they were fully up to expectations
The first letter was written Dec. 4, 1882, and
is in substance as follows:
1t is inexpressibly painful to me to write vou
upon the subject which now have in hand, but
| consider IL duty both to myself and YOU
About four years ago met your daughter LIZ
zle at festival in the Methodist Church. was
struck by her beanty and charmed with her in
nocence and simplicity. | sought and obtained
an Introduction. Probably year ago 1 visited
her in the company of mutual friend, and
spent very pleasant evening. Subsequently
called upon her alone. She showed me a burn
upon her wrist | took her hand in mine to look
at 1t, and when done was surprised that she
permitted ner hand to linger in mine THIS fat
tered my vanity When was about to depart
attempted TO kiss her and TO my still further
surprise, instead of repuising me she advanced
her face to mine. / called again. and as the
front door of your new house was not then COM
pleied, started to go around and enter by tHe
back way. Passing the library window, looked
in, aud was shocked and grieved to see Lizzie
sitting on Alonz0 Hagan's lap. l left without
entering.
Dukes then admits that during his next
visit he made improper proposals to Miss
Mutt, and that she consented to his wishes
He then continues:
was but human. You wonld have done the
same. 1t was not long until heard rum0rs of a
general laxity of morals on the part of Lizzie,
and that Others as well as had enjoyed her IA
| hat Nar ITpt had paiH
store that this was the case. Determined to test
for himself the truth of this, | followed Lizzie
and Fry home from daneing-school one evening,
ana, e0nceang myself near the house where
could see and yet NOT be seen, watched them
at the front door. Fry kissed and fondled her,
and generally took liberties to which a modest
girl would not have submitted. When called
again taxed Lizzie with not having confined
her favOrs to me- She confessed, and SAID that
she had been led off several years ago by Jesse
BOgardns, to whom she had been Introduced by
Miss Donaldson. All that have written is
merely preliminary to the point of this letter.
Your daughter, have~scasOn to apprehend, is
now in delicate condition. You and you alone
are in a position to take such means will save
her and your family from shame aud disgrace,
and implore you to act promptly,
Although this letter was written on Dec 4
it was not mailed to Captain Mutt until Dec
II. On the evening OF Dec. Dukes visited
Miss Mutt for the last time He had given
her gold ring-a betrothal ring, it is claim
ed-and on that evening he got The ring back
from her by pretending that he did not con-
slider it good enough and desired to get her
better one. At the same time he learned
That Captain Mutt would be home from Har-
risburg on Dec H. The letter was posted on
the 1lth and received by Captain Mutt on the
18th. He did not reply, as he intended to
be home two days later and expected to see
Dukes personally. But Dukes had no inten-
ton of seeing Captain Mutt then, as he left
Uniontown on the 18th and remained away
until the 10th. Captain Mutt arrived home
fl0 IL i /
the 10th. On the 18th he replied to- Dukes
letter. After expressing his grief and horror
over its terrible contents and the awful shock
to him, he affirmed his belief that if his
daughter had been ruined Dukes was respon-
sible, and then said, in substance;
You say would have done as you did. Yon
are - - liar. If | had invaded the sancti-
ty of a home as you have confessed to doing l
would hold myself fit only to be shot. When |
cross the threshold of mans door and become
the guest of his family, or any member of it. his
wife and daughters are as sacred to me socially
as my own, The suggestion that should re-
SOFT TO the helliSh acts of the ahOrtiohist could
only have emanated from n creature like you.
No. have the moral courage TO face the conn
munity in which live and if disgrace shonld
come | have no fear bur, under the circum-
stances, the sympathy and support of the com
munity will be Nuiue I have also the physical
courage TO seek you out and give You the alter
native of repairing the ruin which you have
wrought or suffering death. 1t remains with you
to say whether there shall be legal farce ora
me. Leaving Cniontown when go there will
not avail you. will be home again on the 23d.
REFUSING TO MARRY
To this letter Dukes replied on the 10Th,
saying
In the light OF your letter would be justified
in shooting You on sight. AS for marrying your
daughter, I would sooner suffer death than be
mated TO IA "wanton." However, l think meet
ing between Es would result In an amicable un-
Outstanding and therefore will meet you at my
off Eaf - In
at 8 O'Clock sunday morning.
In this letter Dukes also mentions r. P.
Kennedy as another who was favorite with
Miss Mutt. On Dec. 21 Dukes wrote third
letter to NU'+, quoting tender passages from
written messages of Miss Mutt to him. This
letter is nimportant and entirely innocent of
anything harmful. Dukes further said, in his
second letter. that Captain Mutt could come to
him armed, as he himself would be unarmed.
On Friday, the 22d, Dukes went to Springers
hardware store and bought revolver say
ing that he wanted one that would kill He
was so anxious to get a good one that he
kept it for day to try it before paying for
it. On Sunday morning Mutt met Dukes in
his room by appointment, and was there
killed by the revolver bought at Springers
store.
The young men whom Dukes mentions are
very indignant since they have learned the
use he made of their names, and all are said
to be willing and anxious to testify that he
has written untruths about them. Kennedy
and Hogan are both young members of tho
bar here. They were friends of Captain
Mutt who always had a warm side for young
men, and were always welcome visitors at
his house. Kennedy but for Dukes
mention of his name, would have boon as