The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-03-14
THE FORMAN MURDER.
Discovery OF the Weapons with Which the
Murder Was ommitted-Important
Developments Promised,

| No effort nor expense is being spared to IN.
ravel the mystery surrounding the Forman muir
| der. and although the details are carefully with
held 1t is thought that at least little light has
been thrown upon the case during the last two
days. During an official Investigation of the
premises, yesterday, an ak and corn-cutter were
found with which the deed was undoubtedly
committed, and last night these were given into
the custody of the coroner. The ak is small, the
helve being but twenty-eight inches long, and
the head but six and one-fourth inches in length
The Implement was covered with blood, and
from the profuseness of thick blood upon the
blunt end, il is evident that the murderer pun
meled his victims with that side as well as cut
ting them with the sharp edge. The ak
was apparently new, and was evidently
procured, If not especially for the purpose
for which it was used, not long before the COM
mission of the crime. There is no cast-mark or
other mark upon 1t to indicate where it was pur.
chased The corn-cutter, 1t is thought, the
property of the murdered women, but whether
or not 1t was used by the assassin is in doubt,
there being no blood upon it. The instruments
mad been thrown close to the wall on the top of
a high cupboard in the kitchen, where the
mothers body found, and were pretty eff
fectualy concealed.
journal representative called at the resi-
dence or Mr.. John Forman, on New York street,
yesterday. Mr.. FOrman talked freely about the
terrible affiiction with which his family had been
visited. He said that the murder
was undoubtedly committed by some one
more familiar with the habits of the
household than stranger in the neighborhood
could possibly be, and is positive that the guilt
lies with some one in the immediate vicinity of
MS mothers farm. His theory is that the as.
sassin waited until the appearance of his sister,
her custom having been to feed and milk the
COWS Immediately after breakfast, and, follow
ing her stealthily, struck her from behind. The
nrs6 blow probably rendered her insensible,
there having been no appearance OF a struggle,
ana several ears of corn being found undisturbed
ms hrst victim, he returned to the house, where
the feeble mother was easily overcome and
tne house ransacked. From the quantity of
Dlood-marks upon the Kitchen wall it has
oeen supposed that more than were impli-
Gated III the work, but Mr.. FOrman said that a
careful examination showed that the impressions
were all made with the right hand and the rela-
i've distances between the tinger-marks in all of
the impressions were the same. A further proof
tnat the deed was done before kfast, Mr..
norman said, was the fact that the clock was al
lowed to run down Friday morning. His mother
was very methodical and regular in her daily
habits, and IL her custom every morning
immediately after breakfast,to step upon u chair
and wind the clock.
The members of the family had a meeting
Monday ut the farm, at which they decided to
immediately offer reward of $500, and if neces-
sary would sacrifice the entire estate, well as
their individual means to bring the guilty ones
10 Justice. The citizens of Traders Point and
hOyaltOn and others in the vicinity have sub
scrlDed $500 for a reward, and they are willing
10 DO anything IN their power to aid the search.
To this amount the county commissioners, yes
terday, added 800, making the total reward
offered 900