The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-07-21
Fatal Accident at Brazil-A- Proposed Duel
Ends in Talk Gleanings from
Two States.
INDIANA.
Peculiar Case of Husband Murder at

he house of il-fame, this city, was the scene OF
'y highly sensational murder about daybreak
es this morning The victim was John B. Hall,
~ alias John Williams, alias Coal-oil Johnny,
if who has an almost national reputation as
ne one of the most notorious of the class OF con-
tn fndence,people known as bunko men. The
ed murder was committed by Halls wife, the
TO- weapon used being an English bulldog re-
~ yolver, forty-two calibre. The crime was
IL committed in the room where Hall had re-
" tired for the night with one of the inmates, 1
to and YVES so unexpected that, although there
ut were three witnesses to the deed, it could
not be prevented.
~ Hall came here less than week ago, from
=, Chicago, bringing his wife and her child and
took rooms at the st. Charles Hotel. He
was out of money when he came here but
friend put MIN on his feet and
he began business on a street corner
e with confidence game, at which he coined
IS money Last night he went on a spree,
d after losing over 500 in playing faro, and it
a. was this that brought about his death. He
10 visited several houses of prostitution, and
10 finally, about o. clock, went to bed at the
o house where he met his death. About an
Q hour after, Halls wife, becoming anxious,
y as she says as to his whereabouts, started
II out in search of him in a hack. She made
a tour of the all-night saloons, but was unable
g to find him. She said he had 5000 or $500 on
/, his person, and was afraid he would be
'' robbed. Finally the hack-driver learned
q that Hall had been left at the house of the
8 Roland woman, and, hearing this, Mrs. Hall
!. insisted on being driven there. On enter
a ing she represented to tine landlady
/ that she desired to engage a
0 room, and inquired in casual
; way of a friend of hers, who had been there
= The landlady denied his being there, but
finally admitted that he was in bed in
4 another room. Mrs Hall then insisted on
. seeing him before she occupied the room she
l had engaged, and was permitted TO knock at
the door of his room the landlady and the
3 haokdriver accompanying her. Maud
Hunter, the other inmate of the ROOM was
aroused and opened the door, Mrs. Hall
, tered and found him asleep in bed. Without
arousing him she gazed at him few seconds
in silence. She then turned, as if to leave
the room when her eyes rested on revolver
, which Hall had placed on the bureau before
!. retiring, and, as if seized by a sudden insane
impulse, she snatched it from its resting
place, cooked it, and without uttering word
of warning, pointed it at his breast and fired
| the ball striking in his right breast Halls
body fell to the floor, the head and shoulders
rolling under the bed, where he was found
when the affrighted witnesses had summoned
assistance. His death had been almost in
Simultaneous.
The murderess left the house aud was
driven to her hotel, and after securing her
child, gave herself up to the police. The
coroner was notified of the crime, and held
an inquest this afternoon. when the above
facts were elected. Mrs. Hall engaged coun-
sci, who refused to allow her to make any
statement to the coroner. She is still in JAIL
and bears the appearance of an insane per-
son. She appears to regret the crime which
is evidently the outgrowth of insane jealousy.
Her husband to whom she claims she was
married four years ago, was very kind to her
while here, this being remarked by several
persons who had seen them together. Yester-
day, however, they had quarrel over some
trivial matter, and Hall endeavored to secure
her arrest. He did not return home after
closing up last night, and his wife started out
in search of him, with the fatal result mar
rated.
A post-mortem was held on the body this
afternoon, and the wound found to be very
peculiar one The ball entered two inches
below the right nipple passed through the
heart, and then, being diverted from its
course, lodged in the muscles of the back
Halls body is being held subject to the dis
posal of his mother, who resides at st.
Joseph Mo-, and who was notified Of her
sens death
Coal-oil Johnny, as he was commonly
/ known had wide acquaintance among
sporting men. He travelled under number
OF aliases. In his pockets were found seven
vendors licenses, and they were taken out
in six different names He was man of
fine appearance and pleasant manners, and
these lent great aid to him in his operations.
Z He was thirty-eight years of age; his wife is
about thirty-five.
Lover Nurses His Sweetheart Through
Smallpox and Loses His Life.
Evansville Courier.
most d stressing and romantic incident
bad its conclusion yesterday morning in the
death of Mr. Fred Lenr at the pest-house, OF
smallpox. Mr. Lehr was engaged to a young
rangements for the marriage had all been
completed when the expectant bride was
stricken with smallpox. Efforts were made
10 have her removed to the pest-house, which
4 proved unavajling, as Lehr would not permit
IT, determining to nurse her himself through
her disgusting sickness. He was advised by
his physician of the danger he ran in pursu-
ing such a course but it had no effect He