The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-10-21
A SISTERS WRONG AVENGED
The Courts Saved Trouble and Expense
by Meinhardt Heundling's Revolver.
Harrison Haskell, the Negro Ravisher, Shot
in the Criminal Court Room by the
Brother Of His Victim.

Four years ago the Heundling family, consist
ing of mother and seven children, came from
Germany direct to Indianapolis After time the
older children, two of whom live in Lafayette,
sought other places, but with the mother were
left her son Meinhardt and daughter Helen.
The latter went out to SERVICE and has re-
Gently been employed in tie family of George G.
Beck, No. 635 North Meridian street Meinhardt,
between eighteen and nineteen years of age, se-
cured work directly after reaching the city in
the factory of the New York Furniture Com
pany, and has been without interruption en-
ployed there. His home is with his mother at
No. "a Dougherty street. 1t is his earnings and
those of his sister that have contributed to the
support of the mother.
Tho horrible incidents of the criminal assault
on Helen Heundling on last Saturday afternoon
by Harrison Haskell burly negro, rooming in
a stable in the rear of No. GIG North Pennsyl
vania street, need no recital in this connection.
They were of an unusually revolving character,
and in their effects on the girls family present
mother and daughter crazed with grief. Helen,
since the crime has had to be restrained from
attempts at suicide A elimination of such in
Cured yesterday morning in the Criminal Court
room. Haskell, the negro had been arrested,
aud on Monday morning he was brought
before Mayor McMaster, when, as is
customary in crimes of grave nature the
case was carried to the Criminal Court on in
formation. About half past o'clock yesterday
morning Haskell, with another negro named
Robert Smith, charged with assault and battery
with intent to kill, was brought from Jail into
the above court. Meinhardt Heundling was
there restless at times, but otherwise showing
no unusual emotion. He wanted to talk about
the great wrong done his family but he was ad-
vised to say nothing to any one. Just before
Haskell came into the room Meinhardt and AS
sistant Prosecuting Attorney Keeling were in
the telephone closet the young man telling of
the wreck of his family, the wild grief Of his
mother and the desire of his unfortunate sister
to kill herself. They stepped into the court
room again, when Heundling, coming to the
railing about the bailiff's desk and looking over
to the jury seats where sat Smith, Haskell and
the atters attorney. Ross Clarke. asked: Which
Is the one who ruined my sisrerl"
The prisoner to the right" replied Keeling.
Are you sure. Make no mistake l want to
know"
This remark the prosecutor thought strange,
but charging it merely to the anxiety of the
youth, told him to take seat and wait until the
prisoner had been arragned. Menhardt took
chair in the northwest corner of the room and
quietly, but intently, watched subsequent pro
ceedings, which related to Smith, who was dis
charged on account of a defect in the Indictment.
After this was over Baiiiff Carleton went
to Haskell, handcuffed him. and called
Officer Shaughnessy. standing near, to assist him
in taking the prisoners to Jail. Other prisoners
had been brought over, the courtroom was
crowded, and the need of extra appar
ent IL the possibility of something being done to
Haskell. Officer. prisoner aid balliff then
started for the east entrance to the courtroom.
Young Heunding to hurriedly leave
his position on the opposite side, pass to the
north opening through the railing into the aisle
way between the railing and spectators seats.
He had his right hand within his coat as if hold
ing something in the left inside pocket BY this
time Officer Shaughnessy, just in front of the
prisoner, had halfway passed out of the en-
trance door on the east. Haskell was little to
his left Bailiff Carleton was about step be-
hind Haskell, and had turned to see
Heundling. hard upon him, with his
right hand in the position described
The bailiff cried, Hey, therew and started for
ward to check any movement the young man
might make. In flash revolver was drawn by
Heundling, at which some one in the crowd said
Look ont" Officer Shaugnessey turned to the
left in the doorway, and Haskell, following his
movement did the same. AT that moment the
revolver in Heundling's hand about foot and a
thirty -four-caliber ball into Taskell's left side
SCATTERING the ninth rib and passing into the
body. The crowd was panic stricken, and
rushed to the front of the room, over the railing
and about the doors. Women screamed and
men yelled to be let out. Heundling instantly
after the first shot, had raised his weapon for the
second when Bailif Carleton caught and threw
him across the railing the revolver dropping
to the floor. Haskell ran along
the south wall of the room to the east end.
thence two thirds of the way across to the north
windows, when he fell from the loss of blood.
Heundling made attempt to escape, but
calmly said to Carleton: You need not be
afraid; will not run away. That man ruined
my sister. did right He was turned over to
Officer Scheigert while Officers Shaughnessy
to be carried to the Jail. On the way over, on
Alabama street, Heundling passed the muir
Gered man. Heundling looked at him, brought
his teeth together as if with intense hatred, and
without speaking, passed on.
When quiet had been restored in the court
ROOM Judge Norton ordered the charge of muir
der to appear against Heundling, and that he be
held without bail until the result Of TaskelPs
wound could be determined. The shooting, ex-
element and quieting of the crowd did not &C.
cupy more than five minutes, ard after that time
both prisoners were on their way to Jail
Heundling is given an excellent reputation by
his employers He speak English but little.
He has very little animation in his countenance,
which is that Of young man with but small
ambition beyond that of hard work at his trade.
Friends, and many others who did not know him,
came to the Jail and proffered their assistance.
Efforts will be made to secure him the best legal
assist ance
Haskell was taken to TIL City Hospital where
no attempt was made to probe for the ball. nor
was any made by Drs. Hodges and Bryan, who
ATTENDED him at the jail The wound was re-
garded of fatal character. and it is thought
the ball has lodged in the liver or right lung.
TaskelIs condition late last night had not
changed for the worse He will die. but the
doctors think that his life is good for day or
two
This is the second shooting in the courthouse,
the first occurring on account of the Tate Pou-
der trial real estate. about seven years ago.
On this occasion Warren Tate killed William
Love on occount of his adverse testimony the
&c