The Indianapolis journal., 1885-08-25

Additional Details of the Bloody and
Sensational Affair ut Salem.
Proceedings of Teachers Institutes-Lib
Suit Growing Out of Recent Illinois
SenSation-Notes and GleaningS.
Additional Details of the Murderous Crime
and Suicide at Salem.

and Suicide at Salem.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
SALEM, Aug 24.-The usually quiet town of
Salem was the scene of one of the most blood
curdling crimes on Sunday evening, about
o'clock, known in its history. Fred NJ Berkey.
the homicide and suicide. was the son of Fred.
NJ. Berkey, senior partner in the dry goods house
of Berkey Bros Fred. had been addicted to drink
ing for number of years At times he drank to
great excess, and was at these times violent and
troublesome. He frequently went away from
home. Once he was gone for nearly two years
and said he visited Ireland. He was in LIQUOR
most of the day on Sunday. and stated to per
sons whom he met that he going to start
to Arizona on Monday. He was seen about
the streets at times during the day talking and
swearing in very excited manner. He and
George Heffren went to the fair ground, near
town, in the afternoon. An hour or two after,
Berkey came to town, leaving Heffren drunk
the grounds. The latter was found at II
o'clock at night, he having crawled from
some covert into the road. Many persons
thought he had been killed, as pistol shots were
heard at the fair ground about the time the two
were supposed TO be there. Berkey came on
the public square, near the residence of Samuel
Taylor, on the northeast corner. Finding
there number of young ladies, among whom
were two daughters of Mr. Klerner, he quickly
fired three shots at Flora Klerner, one taking
effect in the hand and another in the shoulder.
These wounds are not dangerous, though pain
full This young lady, IL seems, was a special
object of his wrath, because she refused
his company on account of his dis
sipated habits a few days before
this occurrence. W. S. Persire was standing in
front of L. W Sinclair's dry goods store, where
he shot by Berkey the ball passing through
his clothes near his right hip and
doing little harm. Berkey then ran
down the alley between Taylor's resi-
dence and Mrs Fulmer's boarding house,
firing one shot into Taylors house as he passed
by. Henry Medlock. the town marshal was in
the house. Medlock is brave and fearless
officer, and is a terror to evil-doers. He had on
more than one occasion incurred Berkeys dis
pleasure, and it is believed this shot
was intended for the marshal. No one
was hurt, however. Passing through
the alley and out on High street, he met Harry
Routh. jr., whom he had threatened, and.shot
ready, and instantly returned the fire, but
neither of these shots took effect. Ber-
key then ran into an alley. Meeting Mr..
McClannahan near his stable, he drew his
revolver and pushed it's muzzle in McClanna-
hams face The latter put up his hand and
caught the muzze of the pistol, pushing it to
one side the ball passing through his
hand. Dashing on, Berkey took the
Canton road, evincing desire to
escape. Jordon Payne and Anthony
Bauer in buggy, turned and started in pur-
suit. Berkey, seeing this turned round ran
toward the buggy and shot Payne in the breast,
just below the heart. The ball struck the breast
bone, followed rib and lodged in his back.
Pulling Payne, with hand from the
buggy Berkey leaped in beside Bauer, and,
covering him with his revolver, ordered him to
drive. He soon took the reins himself, going at
the greatest possible speed with the marshal
and many Of the infuriated citizens in hot
pursuit Bauer told him he had better
jump out and take to the corn
field for his pursuers were close behind. Real
izing his danger he put his revolver to his right
temple and fired, dying in few minutes there
after. He is reported to have knocked down
Laura Klerners sister, hitting her on the head
with some hard substance.
Berkey's self destruction saved another tragedy
that seemed imminent before it was fully known
that he was dead. The citizens of
Salem are greatly excited, but there is
a feeling of profoundest sympathy for
the parents of young Berkey. They are among
our best citizens, and one of the oldest families
in this community. Arran gements for the fu-
neral have not yet been made