The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-05-28

vorced man fafty six years old, with four chil-
dren Mrs. Vollmer had lived in Rockville for
sixteen years. She had married George voll-
mer a drinking man, who made her life un-
pleasant. Lottie was Industrious, working hard,
and sent their two little girls to school Three
years ago. in jealous fit, he attacked photog-
rapher named Charles Rutledge, and Rutledge
shot and killed him. Rutledge was ACQUITTED
on the ground of self-defense
On Sunday, Oct. IL, 1885, Mrs. volfmer and
Henning agreed to get married the following
day. Henning borrowed $40 from man named
Tate, with which to get the license. pair Of
license, got beastly drunk, and then informed
Mrs. Vollmer that he was ready for the cere-
mony. She indignantly refused to have any
thing to do with him because ne had broken his
promise He kept drunk for several days, and
during that time stole revolver. On the day
of the murder he went to Montezuma
and bought ten cartridges for the
revolver he had stolen He had
written note to Mrs. Vollmer,
asking her to reconsider, but received no answer
He had called at her house several times during
the day, but could not speak with her alone, as
he desired. He called again just after dark. and
entered her house without knocking. Another
woman was present, and Henning asked Mrs
Vollmer If she had concluded to answer his note
She refused to talk upon the subject of marriage
He suddenly whipped out his revolver, and began
shooting at her. Both women ran and both fell
down. He fred again. ran out the back door
ana disappeared. Mrs. FOllmer reached the
street and fell upon the front steps of her house.
She died soon after, three shots having struck
her. One Of the shots graZed the wrist of Emma
Oliver, her companion. Henning was found
about an hour after the killing. among the high
weeds in a vacant lot across an alley from the
Vollmer barn. When discovered he rose up,
drew his revolver And threatened suicide. He
made no effort to carry the threat into execu-
ton, and was placed in the Rockville jail The
next day was Sunday. and Mrs. Vollmer's
AA1I - e. &c <kck1
There were fears of lynching. as
the excitement ran high, and the sher-
iH concluded to remove Henning to
Brazil Sheriff Musser, of Parke county.
got the prisoner into a vehicle, and. with two
deputies. drove for Brazil, followed for some
distance by crowd, yelling and shooting. AS
great numbers of people tlocked into Brazil.
it was deemed safest to take Henning to Terre
Haute, which was done, and he remained there
until Nov. 10, when his case was called in the
Parke county court. Henning refused to plead.
and his lawyer, Mr. Courtney, would not have
Judge Jump try the case. The case WAS taken
to Charlottesville, before Judge Davidson. on
Dec. 4. and the prisoner was taken to Ora wfords
vile the same day and placed in jail.
The case came to trial on Monday, Feb l,
1856. There were 124 witnesses from Rockville
and vicinity. HeDning's attorney set up the
plea of temporary insanity. from love and jeal-
ousy. and Henning. from first to last persisted
that ne knew nothing of the murder. After
con viction ne said he drunk at tho time.
and knew nothing On Friday. February 5. at
$3.50 p NJ. the jury returned verdict of murder
in the first degree, with the death penalty.
Motion for new trial was overrued by Judge
Snyder. ard on appeal to the Supreme Court the
decision of the lower court was affirmed
Henning was a native of Virginia, having
been born in Rockingham county, on Dec. %.
1880. In 1648 he went with his parents to Edgar
county. Illinois, where he married Joanna Hun
ter, in 1852 By this wife he had five boys and
girl His first wife died after the war. and
soon afterwards he married woman at Mecca,
from whom ne has been twice divorced. By the
last wife he had three boys and one girl. All OF
his children are alive. He has lived since
eighteen years of age in Edgar county. Illinois,
and Parke and Vermillion counties, Indiana.