The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-03-21
THE FORMAN MURDER.
Arrest of Philip Kuhn for the Murder and
His Subsequent Release - The
Testimony Yesterday.

Philip Kuhn was arrested Monday night on
suspicion of knowing something about the
Forman murder. The matter was kept secret
in order that certain witnesses could be
examined yesterday, who might be in
fiuenced by the knowledge OF KuhD's arrest.
| The latter and two other witnesses testified be-
fore the coroner yesterday. Kuhn testified that
he was in Ohio for seventeen months and re-
turned to ROyalton three weeks ago yesterday,
going at once to Doyles farm, where he had
worked for some time before going to Ohio. He
LEFT the farm the following Tuesday about
noon, stayed at RoXalton with Mr. Strawmeyer
over night, and came to this city Wednesday
He stopped at Monningers saloon, on Indiana
avenue, until Friday morning. helping him trim
his grapevines aud being otherwise employed
about the place. He said that he did not leave
the building Thursday night, not even to go into
the street. On Friday and Friday night no
stopped with Mr.. Abrecht at Haughsville, and
came back TO the city Saturday He first heard
of the murder ut Emrich's saloon, where he
stopped on his way into the city. He said thai
he left his overcoat in the harness shed at
Doyles, although it quite cold Tho reason
given for not taking it was that he expected to
return to the farm to work in few days. He
said that Doyie's little son had shown
him the AK when he went to the farm three
lock 1t IN the kitchen every night The first in
timatlon he had of the direction of suspicion to-
ward him was Monday morning, when Brandon
burg anu Saunders charged him with numbering
the FOrmans. "Tbey asked me why murdered
the women, and told them I did not do it.
Saunders said was the head leader of three
who did 1t, and said they had found my coat at
the FOrman homestead"
William Brandeuburg testified that he had
first heard Of the murder at 8
O'Clock Friday night. He suspected
Phillip Kuhn because his coat was found
Ill the bedroom of the murdered women, and
that the suspicion was strengthened by the con-
Trajectory stories told by Kuhn regarding his
Kuhn was little crazy when Intoxicated, but
was sensible enough when sober. He thought
he had been in the insane asylum at one time
Frank NJ. Saunders said that he had known
Kuhn for six or eight years, and that he was
al ways quiet and INDUSTRIOUS man. On the
Friday before the murder he had returned from
Ohio to Doyle's farm. Kuhn went to RoyaltOn
Tuesday hight, and said he wanted to 90 to town
but would wait until morning. Did
not see him again until Saturday
witness that he had stayed at Obreeht's Wednes
day and at Monuinger'6 Thursday night. The
witness asked Mrs. Obrecht and MOnningeP, aud
both denied that Kuhn had been at their places
at the times mentioned Kuhn and his wife
would both get drunk occasionally, and would
quarrel when in that condition. He said that he
Thought that Kuhn went to Dovle's and got the
AK and coat and concluded with the statement,
81 believe Kuhn got mp the murderous scheme,
but had help in it."
Kuhn Is an ignorant German, and does not i'm
press one with the idea that he would have nerve
enough to either plan or execute 80 fearful a
tragedy. The evidence was not considered
strong enough 20 Justify his retention in Jail, and
noon. The coroner viii continue the inveatiga-
ton to-day.