The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-05-14
MURDERED BY RELATIVES
A Family Tragedy Which Will Re-
suit in the Death of Isaac Baker,
Whose Skull Was Crushed in by His Som
in-Law and Brother -in-Law-The
Details of the Murder.

family quarrel occurred out on Geisendorf
street, near the river, yesterday afternoon,
which resulted in the probable murder of Isaac
Baker, man ffty-fve years old, by William
Montgomery and 1. S. Seay, two young men
who were related to him, and who lived with
him. The three men seem to have been of very
vicious disposition, and were continually en-
gaging in family quarrels. They lived, in fact,
kind of Kilkenny life Montgomery bore the
relation to the old man of step-son-in-law, and
seay was a brother-n-aw. They both boarded
with him, but they both seemed to have every
thing pretty much their own way about the
house. The three men we're drinking yesterday,
and, after their own p, culiar ideas of the enjoy
ment of life, were having a holiday time. The
programme, of course, embraced a quarrel and a
fight. The trouble began at a saloon in the vi
cinity, shortly after noon. About O'Clock,
Oliver Rice, who lives in the neighoOrhood,
went over to Bakers house, to tell him some
thing about job of work which he had for him,
and while there, talking with him, Montgomery
and 5eay came in.
FAMILY FIGHT.
Montgomery, with oath, demanded to know
what had been the matter with
Bakers dinner, that caused him
to raise such disturbance in the
family about it, and as he asked the question
raised small box in a menacing manner. Ba-
ker gave no direct reply, but the hostilities at
once began. Seay turned to Rice and told him
that he had better be getting out of the house,
which he proceeded to do without any hesita-
ton. He had not gone far, however before the
three men also came ont of the house, evidently
determined on a fight. When they reached the
fence, Montgomery and Baker came together, and
after short struggle fell TO the ground. Leary
grabbed a fence picket and struck Baker two
three blows, which caused him to release his
hold on Montgomery. The latter then grabbed
another fence picket with which ne began beat
ing the old man over the head Isaac Zering,
who lives in the house next to Bakers ran over
to where the men were fighting and held Mont
gomery while his wife took the stick from him.
Baker was carried into the house unconscious,
and with a vicOusness which seems to have
known no bounds, Montgomery followed, deciar-
ing in the vilest language that be would yet kill
him. After the old man had been laid on the
bed, Montgomery repeated the remark and even
m ade q threading movement toward carrying
his words into effect but prevented.
BAKERS INJURIES.
DR.. John B. Long called TO make an exam
nation of Bakers wounds, aud found that his
skull had been crushed in the left part of the
forehead, that second blow had shattered
the side of his head from the ear to the eye, and
that an ugly wound had been inflicted just be-
meath the eye, where the point of the heavy
stick had struck. The force OF the blow in the
forehead had the effect to fracture the skull at
juries were fatal. and nothing could be done to
save the mans life.
After the nature of Bakers injuries were
learned, Montgomery and Seay disappeared.
The former was found, however, at the
home of his mother on Patterson street, and was
arrested in bed by Captain Campbell and Patrol
men BOylan and Mckee. Seay, at first, went
across the river, but late in the sfternoon re-
turned and was arrested, at the home of his
brother on Ohio street, at $50 o'clock by Captain
Campbell and Patrolman York.
WHAT THE PRISONERS SAY
The two men were interviewed at the police
station last evening. Montgomery tells a story
to the effect that Baker of disagreeable
and quarrelsome disposition; that he was con-
family expenses. 1t was specifically charged
that he would not pay his rent or
his grocery bills, and that the
prisoners themselves had to meet these
expenses. He claimed that yesterday the old
man began quarreling, as usual, and to settle
the matter they had started out doors. Upon
reaching the street Baker struck him, and he re-
turned the blow with fence picket. When Seay
was asked what part he had in the fight he replied:
81 had nothing to do with it. l am an innocent
man." He admits that he witnessed the diff
Guilty, but claims that he did not give assistance
TO either of the combatants, and did not offer to
interfere.
After it was learned that the injuries of
which he was beaten by Montgomery
was hunted up. 1t had been thrown
fight occurred, by Mrs. Zerlng, and was found
1oated 1t was identified the same stick used
i'll the fight, and is in tho custody of the police.
Isaac Baker the injured man, is common la
borer. Seay is wood-turner in Strelghts
planing-mill, and Montgomery has been em-
ployed at the Arcade mills.
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