The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1885-01-21
A TERRIBLE DEED.
A Johnson County Farmer Murdered
in Cold Blood,
Within Can OF His Daughter 9
Voice-RobbsTy No Doubt
the Object.
Full History OF the Fearful Grim
that Horri1es the People OF
the County.

gAu-An6AAAOAC0t OlOotOiy LL4Sh AOAocf win
eEo front doors, protected by narrow
porch running the entire length of the
front of the domicile. Everything about
che farm house bears an air of
comfort and convenience, without that
ostentation which is noticed in the con-
struction OF more modern residences. The
surroundings give evidence OF thrift and
careful husbsndry on the part of the owner.
Fifty yards from the house stands q we'll
allied barn, while the stock upon the farm
embraces 8 large number of horses
and cattle-alI of the best breeds
showing by their condition that
they are the property OF one who takes
pride as we'll as receives profit from their
culture. Thirty-fve years ago the farm
house was erected by Taylor Ballard, a man
whe developed many eXcentricities of
character, but who was universally re-
spected By his neighbors for his moral
worth and the uniform promptness and
correctness Of his business habits. The
most marked excentricity OF character
was that found in his refusal to place conf
dence in banks, and the consequence was
that his house became the repository Of bis
money, and finally led TO his death at the
hands Of an unknown assassin, all the at
Sendaat circumstances indicating that rob-
berry was the impelling cause.
Saturdays Sentinel contained q brief
dispatch regarding the assassination
Of Mr.. Ballard, but q reporters
Curiosity and desire to give full account
of the terrible tragedy lead him to the scene
that evening. He found the com.
munity IN state OF excitement that is wit
messed only upon occasions calculated to ex-
cite the greatest indignation, and call forth
at the same time feelings of sympathy for
the bereaved. From relatives OF the de-
ceased and others, who were upon the scene
Immediately after its occurrence. the follow
ing facts were cleaned
On the 26th of March last the wife Of Mr..
Ballard, then about 40 years of age, COM
mifIed suicide by drowning in the cistern
while temporarily insane. Since that time
Mr.. Ballard has been living comparatively
farm hands family, who was with
aim till couple OF weeks ago,
when a disagreement arose between
Mr.. Ballard and his hand, and the latter
moved to the vicinity of Boggstown, about
, 1our miles distant. The relatives of Mr..
Ballard, knowing bis disposition to keep
large sums of money about the place, often
chiced him, and predicted that he would be
robbed, if not murdered, for his money. He
replied that he was prepared for such an
emergency, and, indeed, was always
armed with revolver. About
6 O'Clock Monday evening" while
tseated in the front room Of his mouse; large
stone was thrown through the window and
passing within an inch OF Billiards. head,
Sstruck door opposite with great force. A
search o. the premises failed to reveal
anything, kut both he and his chill
drtn regarded il as an attempt to as
sassinate him. Thursday evening, his
daughter, Mrs. Cutsinger,.. visited her
brother, accompanied By Mary
Cutinger, her second daughter. AT O'Clock
they started to return home. and IN doing
80 Were compelled to pass by Mr.. Ballard
residence. 1t was raining very b Ard, aud
when Mrs. Cutsinger and daughter got with
IN forty yards OF the bsrn they noticed the
door stan ding open and at the same time
heard o couple of dali sounds which
they supposed to be the falling
Of q board, but which they are now
ssti. fed were two pistol shots fred in rapid
Gu singer called to ner grandfather, but no
answer was returned. at her mothers sue.
,getton she entered the driveway, but re-
Z GuIned, saying that she was afraid to go
luther on account Of the darkness. The
~ then went to the house, but falling
TO find Mr.. Ballard they became
eisrmsd and hurried home, which was bat q
short distance away. Arriving there son
of Mr. Cutsinger and grandson OF Mr.. Bal
lard went 70 the house of the latter and Sc
curing q light, together with smother
Grandson made an examination Of thu blrn.
Passing through the driveway and tor 1Ing
around the corner OF q crib which Is inside
of the barn, the young men were Mortified
TO find their grandfather lying PROSTATE
upon the floor with q bullet hole immedi-
ately above the right eye. Thiswss O'clock
in the evening and the body was still warm,
showing that the act had been com nluted
but short time before. An examination of
the tody proved ths. two wounds had been
I. inflicted, the first ball striking the
point of the right shoulder blade,
ranging up and coming out on
top OF the shoulder and lodging
n the lining Of the vest. The second ball
penetrated the brain Just above the right
eyebrow, passed through, frsoturing the
aKuu at point where the psreital and Oc-
Eipital bones are united.
The pockets OF the decesseds clothing
we're turned inside out, and revolver, with
two chambers empty, lay about two feet
rom his side. The pistol proved
70 be the one belonging to Mr..
con it was at frst supposed
that mis- death wss the result of suicide. A
closer examination. however, showed that
there was lint from his pocket in the muz-
zle of his pistol, and that the two empty
chambers had not been recently discharged.
shoulder could not have been self-inf icted.
From ell the attendant circumst2 aces
there can be no doubt that Mr..
Ballard was The victim OF a cold bio oded
assassin, who was sctuated by the hope Of
obtaining the large sum of money which the
deceased was known to carry about his per-
son, and il is also clear that the person com.
hitting the deed was familiar With the
habits Of his victim. Until Saturday
evening il was thought the assassin
had secured q large sum OF money,
bat this proves not to have been
true, ss bag containing 81, 225.75 was found
under q bench on the front por,
of the house. The sack or bag containing
this money is made Of heavy bed-ticking
and Is one that the deceased has carried fol
several years. 1t is possible that II the
deed had been committed at any other time
this amount of money, or perhaps
more, would nsve rewarded the
assassin, for Of the many who
Knew Ballard well and 20 whom the TO
porter talked yesterday, none remembered
ever 10 have seen him either at home OF
abroad With less than 81 900 or 81 800 in hi:
pocket. Ia addition to this sun there is
doubtless large amount OF gold buried al