The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-04-16

Mysterious Wounds ON the Body-Indigna
ton Meeting at Charlestown.

Mysterious Wounds the Body-Indigna-
ton Meeting at Charlestown.
Louisville Courier-Journal
The peculiar circumstances surrounding the
death OF the late Evan Shelby, recorder of Clark
county. which occurred at Charlestown, Ind, on
last Friday night has caused great excitement
among the people of that hitherto quiet little
village Although the coroner's verdict was to
the contrary, there is an impression among
many that Mr. Shelby was murdered. and they
are resolved that the guilty parties if such there
be. shall be brought to justice
The BODY was found on Saturday morning,
about 6 o'clock, in the yard in the rear Of VIM.
Dauser's saloon, by the proprietor himself.
Shelby was lying face downward upon the pave
ment, about thirty yards from the door. Upon
the nose, both temples top of the head, and fore
head, were large buises-seven in all. The one
on his right temple was enough of itself to pro-
duce death. There was no way in which he could
have fallen and produced all the bruises at the
same time Another thing which tends to arouse
suspicion of foul play is the fact of his having
in his possession before the time of his death
about $50, and when the body was found the
money was missing Shelby had been drinking
heavily during the day, but had no opportunity
to spend all the money.
About o'clock q man named Zadoc Griffith
went into Deuser's saloon and told him there
was man asleep in his back yard.
Deuser. not knowing it was Shelby, told the
fellow to go out and wake up the sleeper, and
people of the town were greatly incensed. and
resolved to take immediate action in the matter.
They accordingly, on Tuesday night called q
mass-meeting of citizens, at Alonas Hall, and
about seventy Ave persons were in attendance.
Speeches were made and general resolve
formed to stop the liquor traffic in that town.
Rev. Mr.. Bright pastor of the M. IL. Church,
was the leading spirit, and was one Of COM
mittee of three appointed to wait upon the sa-
oonkeepers there are but two saloons in the
a tn
Among those present al the meeting were
many of the prominent married men of the town,
and although there was no spirit OF mobocracy
manifested, cool determination to break up
the business seemed to prevail.
Yesterday morning the situation grew worse,
and the citizens gathered about in little knots
on the corners and discussed the ail-absorbing
question, Was Evan Shelby murdered; and If
went down to Michael Stnmpffs saloon first and
asked him if he was willing to quit the business
quietly. He replied that he was. William
Deuser was next called upon, and he also agreed
TO shut up his place of business An agreement
was then drawn up and signed by both Stumpf
and Geuser, in which they agreed to close up on
| the 1st of May, and never again engage in the
business, provided, however. that no one else be
allowed to retail liquor there. drug stores in
cluded.
When the news spread over town the greatest
rejoicing prevailed among the temperance peo-
ple For years they have vigorously opposed
the selling of liquor In that town. but have never
been able to score victory until now. The sa-
loon keepers were both perfectly willing to close
up. aud do SO with good grace. Deuser is in bad
odor with the people on account of previous &C
tlons, and there is strong feeling against him.
A prominent gentleman, in conversation with
a Courier Journal correspondent yesterday, said
There is an awful feeling against Deuser par
ticularly among the farmers. with whom Shelby
was very popular, and would not be bit sur
prsed if they destroyed his place anyhow. They
would make the move there is no doubt but there
would be hundred eagerly follow him my
self am in favor of giving him thirty days in
which to leave town in, and if he don't go can
take him out and stretch his neck. I don't say
that he had anything TO do with the killing of
Shelby, but it was done in his yard. On the day
preceding his death Selby drinking with a
tailor named DR.. Stats. Both of them were
drunk, and before meeting the latter Shelby is
known to have had at least $36. This morning
several young men went out in the country to
gather in the farmers to attend the meeting to-
night and if the saloon-k Keepers don't quit bust
ness We will tear their houses down brick by
brick.
Dr. Stanley, who examined the deceased be.
fore the burial. gives it as his opinion that Mr..
Shelby could not have fallen and sustained the
wounds, as the surroundings indicated that he
had fallen but once, and all of them could not
have been produced at the same time.
Mr.. j. NJ Teeple the undertaken who pre-
pared the body for the grave gave it as his opin-
ion that the deceased was foully death with,
and nearly everybody else is of the same opn-
ion. purse will be made I'D and detective
will be hired to work mp the case.