The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-10-22
Arrested and Lodged in Jail, While People
of the County Shake Their Heads
and Make Threats.
The Prisoner Claims He Is Innocent,
and that 1t Can Be Proven.
A Remarkable Death Bed Confession of a
Woman Guilty of Murder in Ken
tucky-Crime i'll General.
THE FORA BURNS MYSTERY.
One of the Wealthiest Citizens of Linco
Charged with Being Her Murderer.

Ohe OF tne NealthIeSt CitlZenS OF Lincoln
Charged with Being Her Murderer.
LINCOLN, H., Oct, 20-Zora Burns, who
has been employed as a domestic in the
family of Orrn A. Carpenter, a prominent
and wealthy resident of this city, was found
dead near the outskirts of the city one week
ago, her body bearing all evidences of des-
perate murder. Her throat had been cut
from ear to ear her skull crushed in, and
her arms bore evidence that she had had
furious struggle with her assailant Ever
since the discovery of her body the entire
community has aided the detectives in their
search for the murderer. 1t was learned
that she had been engaged to young farmer
named Dukes, and suspicion pointed some-
what toward him, but for the past two DAYS
chain OF apparently cnmnating circum-
stances has been wound around her former
employer, Carpenter, which resulted in his
arrest this afternoon. The investigation dis
closed that Fora had left his employ and res
turned to the home of her father in ST. Elmo
village near Lincoln and on the day pre-
ceding her death came to this city and paid
a visit to Carpen ter's Office, remaining with
him an hour, alone and that he was the
only person she visited, so far is known,
while here. After o'clock on Saturday
=
Ognized her, and until her body was recov.,
cred on Monday morning no one knew Of
her presence in the neighborhood.
Detective Butler while closely examining
Carpenters buggy and harness this morning,
discovered traces Of blood on the lines. the
whip and the cushion Further search re-
vealed couple of hairpins and a fragment of
a letter in a woman's handwriting in the bot
tom OF the buggy bed. These evidences of
guilt are closely locked in the secrecy of the
officers possession, but their discovery is ad-
mitted by the detectives. Mr.. CARPENTER was
arrested and hurried to Jail through large
and excited crowd, but his face and his man
ner betrayed no signs of nervousness or of
efforts to conceal fear. In the Justices Office,
where he was taken and the hearing post
poned at his request, he looked around the
room for few moments with a gaze of al
most pleading helplessnesS, but he recovered
and held up braYely. Citizens who have
hitherto secuted all suspicious of his con-
nection with the offense now shake their
heads in doubt, or reluctantly admit that it
is scarcely worth while to hope longer.
Mr.. Carpenter was asked if he had ever
written any letters to Fora Burns, it having
been claimed that several had been found
sent by him.
mo, sir" he replied
at is claimed that you did so--sent her
money, and urged her to come here"
II never wrote her letter in my life, and
if anybody pretends to produce a letter from
me it is a forgery"
You are perfectly positive about this?'
Entirely so. | don't believe l ought to
say anything more" said he PERSONALLY
am perfectly willing to do so, as have been
all along, but my attorney has advised me
not to talk any more. have never said any
thing to a lawyer about this matter until
yesterday when consulted an attorney, who
advised me that it was the best thing not to
notice all the stories which are being put in
circulation. l will only say this: that this
miserable attempt to fasten stai n upon me
will come to nothing | don't believe they
will bring charges against me- but if that
time ever should come know l can prove
my innocence and brush them away
CARPENTERS CAREER.
Carpenter came TO this place five years ago.
Previous to that he had been on a farm
few miles out of the city, toward Hadsburg,
for twenty years He was born in the East.
He is generally credited with being the
wealthiest man in Lincoln, but just what the
extent of his fortune is no one but himself
can probably tell He still owns his farm
and a good deal of valuable land in the vicin-
ity of town. Since coming here to live he is
known to have accumulated fortune in the
grain business. lie owns a large elevator,
standing near the Chicago, st. Louis q Alton
railroad tracks, a little north of the depot.
He also ran grain elevator at Harrisburg in
connection with partner but the latter
retired lately, owing to ill-health, and the
business at that place is being wound up.
Mr.. Carpenters residence is n modest frame
building, standing near the northwestern
edge of the town. In front is one of the
most beautiful and best-kept lawns in Lin
coin. On the alley in the rear, is his barn,
an extensive structure, containing several
wagons and buggles. All the surroundings,
in fact, indicate that the owner is a man of
wealth. Mr.. Carpenter has a wife and two
daughters
Mrs. Carpenter describes Fora Burns as a
girl who got very mad on occasions. 1t has
been stated heretofore that the girl left Car
penter's of her own free will. Mrs. Carpen-
ter rather contradicted this 10y the statement
that on finding the girl complaining OF sick
ness and neglecting her work, she told her
she might as we'll quit then as any other
time Fora did not object, but in leaving for
her sisters said she would like to Do wash
ing outside and make some extra money, and
Mrs. Carpenter agreed to help her in this
way The girls symptoms were such that
Mrs. Carpenter suspected she was in trouble.
She positively declared that her husband
came home on Sunday night not far from $50,
the fact thai his mother had Just returned
from church a little while before enabling
TO- and her husband did not again leave the
house until about in the morning, when he
went down town to his Office, and subse-
quentl went over to Harrisburg
Mrs. Carpenter also fatty denied the story
that her husband exhibited unusual signs of
nervousness on Sunday, and declared that
his demeanor was the same as usual.
Did Mr. Carueuter mention on Saturday
evening that fora had called on him that
day."
No" was the reply
! WAS it not rather an unusual proceeding