The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-08-18
HIS BRAINS BLOWN OUT.
Abram Crabtree, Colored Man, Shot
by HIS Stepson, Geo. Lattapee,
Who Kills His Stepfather to Save His
Mothers Life-Details of the Tragedy
and the Boys Statement.

AS result OF a FAMILY quarrel, ADfam Crao-
tree, well-to-do colored man, was instantly
killed by his stepson, George Lattapee, aged
seventeen, last night the boy being driven to the
deed, as he claims, in defense of his mothers
life, Crabtree was a man of some means and
social standing among the colored people, being
the owner of considerable property and leading
member of the Baptist church. He was about
sixty years Of age, and had been twice married
the last time to Sarah Lattapee, who had two
sons, George, aged seventeen, and Harry, aged
thirteen, by former husband. The marriage took
place about twelve years ago, and since then
the two families have been living as one. Their
present residence is on Stoughton Fletcher's
farm, north of the Atlas Works. which Crabtree
rented, and where the tragedy occurred. The
domestic relations of the commingled families
were not altogether pleasant Crabtree was man
of fiery temper, and frequently made things de-
cidedly unpleasant for his wife and her children,
while his own were treated with much consider
alton. There was inoessant quarreing which fire.
quently developed into fights, if the eighbors
to be believed. Crabtree was an exceedingly in
dustrious man, and he insisted that his stepson
should work as hard he did, and it seems that
there was considerable hard feeling between
them.
THE TRAGEDY.
George Lattapee, the oldest stepson, was In
the city yesterday, but not feeling well, he re-
turned home and went to bed upstairs. about 4
o'clock in the afternoon. About O'Clock lie
heard a fuss and the sound of blows down stairs,
and went down he got in the kitchen just in
time to see Crabtree knock his wife down, and
when she attempted to get up he seized a chair
and said he would kill her. The boy waited
to see no more, but grabbed a heavily
loaded musket that was standing in the corner,
and fired at short range, the load literally
ing of the top of the old mans head and spatter
ing his brains against the wall. Death, of
course. was instantaneous; but one member OF
the family, not stopping to see the result of the
SHOT, hurried to the city and got DR.. ID. 81. Oil
yer, who returned with him. He found the body
of the old man on the floor, in a half-reclining
position, with the head against the wall, and all
the surroundings covered with blood. When
told the circumstances of the shooting, DIR. Oil
turn to the city with him. YES" said his
mother, go with him George, aud be a good
boy, you always s have been good to ms ,,, The
come, and when they reached the city he offered
no objection to being taken to the station-house.
90 THE BOYS STATEMENT @
The prisoner was interviewed at the station
house by Journal reporter BE said that he
would be eighteen years old in a few days and
that his father had been dead for about fifteen
years, and his mother was married to Crabtree
three years later. When asked about the shoot
ing, ne salu line OLD man nau been
fussin' with my little brother Harry about
lettin' the horses get in the cornield.
Harry never done it, but the old man took a
shovel and tried TO beat him with it. He scared
Harry so that he went to the cupboard and got
case knife and was going to cut his own throat
with 1t, but my mother took IL away from him.
Then the old man begins to fuss with her, and
heerd I'm from up stairs and came down. He
had slapped her down two times, and she was a
screamin' for him to leave her alone, and he
grabbed a cheer and said he would knock her
head off, and got the gun and shot. 1 didn't
mean to kill him, but only wanted TO keep him
from hurtin' mother. 1t old mus
ket l had borrowed to hunt with, and
1t was loaded with shot. didn't try TO run
away, but waited and came here with the doc
tor. The old man and me had had some fuses,
and he was always quarrelin' with mother and
us children. / am sorry 1 killed him, but 1
had to-"
OTHER STATEMENTS.
Mrs. Crabtree and two other oolored persons,
who were in the house at the time. orroborated,
in all substantial particulars, the boys story.
DR.. Oliver, who is well acquainted with the
family, having attended them at various times,
says that he has little doubt that the
boy shot Crabtree in defense of his mother.
he says that Crabtree was man of consider
able business ability, and had amassed consid-
cradle means, having comfortable bank
count in one of the city banks. The boy George
is rather small for mis- age and talks with con-
siderable Intelligence, and impresses the nearer
with the truthfuiness of his statements h 3
By direction of DR.. Oliver the remains of the
dead man were not disturbed by the family, but
were left for the coroner's examination, which
will take place this morning. E1,o e.r'