The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-07-18
A CLEAR CASE OF MURDER.
The Remains Found in the Field Near
CastletOn Fully Identified,
And Bullet-Hole Entirely Through the Body
Furnishes Conclusive Evidence that
John C. MOffitt was Murdered.

body of the unknown man in Johnsons meadow,
near Casteton, day before yesterday, is nearing
solution. Yesterday, r. H. Davidson, of No
blesvlle, was called to the city by the newspaper
reports of the case. He went at once to Ripley
& Hedges's undertaking house, and there exam
ined the clothing and body. Although badly
decomposed, there was enough in the hair,
beard and features of the deceased to convince
him that the body was that of J. c. Moffit, who,
for the past four or five years, had led rather
worthless life in Noblesville. The clothing also
served in completing the Identification, and the
comb, pipe and spectacle case furnished further
evidence.
Motif leaves behind him history, but there is
something about his life that will never,
perhaps, be known. "He always APP
peared to be under cloud, and did
not want people to recognize him." said
Mr.. Davidson. 81 think he was Swallowed by an
act he did or one somebody else did with which
he had connection. OF his past life he said very
little. am sure this is Motifs body"
Cohen Moffit went to Noblesville. 1t was evil
dent that the odd jobs of laboring which he was
willing to do were far below his station. These,
however, gave him enough money with which to
buy opium, a drug he used immoderately.
good part of his time was spent about saloons.
Seemingly, he had no care in life but to get
enough to supply his necessities. At different
times he worked for Mr.. Davidson, a hotel
keeper there "He attended bar for me and did
chores, said that gentleman II paid him no
regular wages but gave him money whenever
was certain it would be spent judiciously. He
had his board without cost, and l would buy
for him such clothing as he needed"
Such was the life of J. C. Motif in Noblesville,
but before that several details are wanting to
bring him to the time when he first came to the
United States in 1857. In years preceding he
had been in the British army in Canada, from
which he and a companion deserted. After stay
ing time in the States he went to England and
remained until 1865, when he returned to
this country. He travelled in every
State of the Union and knew all
the important cities and towns in England,
Scotland and Ireland, which he visited in the
capacity of a commercial traveller for large
linen house in Scotland. The knowledge he
gained through travelling was enhanced by
large breadth of varied reading. In converse
ton, when at his best, he was very entertaining,
but of late years the drug to which he was
addicted had impaired his mind. Although his
habits those that age one rapidly he es-
capped their ravages, for his fifty two years did
not appear to be more than forty. He was not
quarrelsome, nor did he manifest desire for
association with those among whom his manner
of life would naturally throw him. If Motif
was not gentleman, he had been one, and work
ing in bitches, carrying the hod, sweeping out
saloons, going on errands chewing opium and
drinking whisky did not destroy traces of what
he once was He never gave any detailed history
of his life to anyone. Mr.. Davidson had his
confidence as far as it went, and the brief facts
given supply the beginning and end of his story.
It is thought he has living in Cincinnati wife
and two children, whom he deserted years ago,
and from whom he never heard, and a brother in
the linen business in Belfast, Ireland. Moffit
said he was born in Scotland, but in what town
no one ever knew.
Sunday, July %, Mohit was last seen in No
blesville For day or two he had been drink
ing liquor, and using opium in greater quantity
than usual He had revolver belonging to
Davidson, but this the latter got from Motifs
room on the Saturday before. 1t was loaded
and cooked ready for use. Near it were razor
and large knife These Davidson also took away,
for, from Motifs condition. he did not know
what might happen. That day his dependent
asked for money, but Il did not give it to him"
said Davidson II knew he would spendsit for
opium. He wanted pair of shoes, and | bought
those for him. Although heavyset and broad
shouldered, he had the smallest hands and feet
| ever saw on man of his size" On the Sun
day named, after wandering around the streets
town. walking down the railroad track in the
direction of Castleton. He went away about IL
o'clock in the morning and in the evening he
was seen at Fishers station, on the Wabash rail
road by Mr.. Wedespool Before that,
just out of Noblesvile, James Burk,
section boss, met him, talked with him and saw
revolver he carried. After leaving Fishers
station Motif no doubt went into Castleton and
got into trouble with the party of brawlers who
awoke the people of the town by their drunken
shouts and frequent shots 1t will be remem-
bered that on that Sunday night one of these
fellows. who are represented as strangers to the
people of Castleton, said ''He came UP behind
me and fred through my hat. | ran after him,
loading my revolver as 1 went, and fired seven
shots at him. Some of them l know nit him."
1t is probable that Mofft was the man chased
but who did the chasing or firing has not been
revealed. The coroner intends to make a
thorough investigation, and, as part of it, the
post uortem made yesterday developed the fact
that the wound in the left arm of Motif was
caused by a ball that passed into his body be-
tween the eleventh and twelfth ribs and then
out on the other side between the third and
fourth ribs. With this wound Mofft no doubt
ran into the meadow, partially undressed to ex-
anime his injury, gathered the grass for a bed
and lay down and died, leaving his body for
storms to beat upon. the intense heat of a July
sun to burn and decay to eat away.