The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-03-01
UNRAVELING THE MYSTERY.
Windsor Feels Easier Since an Arrest
Has Been Made in the Aldridge Case.
The Handwriting of the Accused Man the
Only Evidence Against Him So Far-HOw
the Case Was Worked Up.
Special to the indianapolis Journal


WINDSOR, H., Feb. 2S.-The people Of this
little village are at ease to-day. After two long
weeks of suspense, in which vague coniectures
and wild theories have been advanced to &C
count for thsfnfamous outrage upon Miss George
Aldridge, there comes feeling of xeiief and sat
isfaction in knowing that the beginning of the
end is reached now that the man long suspected
as guilty of the foul crime has been placed under
arrest, and will receive speedy judicial hear
Ing, at which he must either establish his inno-
eence or fall convicted before the array Of evi-
dence which the detective claims to have against
him. If W. NJ. Price is innocsnt, he must vel
come the climax that has come with his arrest as
affording himself an opportunity to establish
himself Alright before this indignant community;
hut If he is guilty, we'll may he fear the legal
investigation he must now face, for the crime
which has caused his arrest is the blacklist on
he calendar Tomorrow the preliminary ex-
animation will take place before Judge l.. S.
Baldwin, In the Universalist Church, the largest
pablo building in the city that Is available.
The village viii be thronged with people from
the country around about A crowd is expected
xae Ike OF which has never been seen in
Windsor Seventy-five witnesses have been
aknbp@naed for the prosecution, and probably a
like number will be called for the defense. W.
G. Kelley, the prosecuting attorney, will be
assisted by Judge Anthony Thornton, of Shelby
vile, who defended the accused in the Emma
Bond case. The defense will be made by Hon.
H. J. Hamlin, of Shelbyville. The examination
will occupy two days at least. It is doubtful
whether the victim, Miss George Aldridge, will
be able to attend, being yet perhaps too weak to
stand the excitement incident to an investi
cation before large crowd of eager listeners;
indeed, her presence will avail but little,
20 she Is unable to give much direct testimony.
To-day, for the first time, reporters were allowed
to visit her, and then only on the condition that
the tragedy should not be mentioned. She still
occupies reclining chair, and IL unable to sit up
on account of the great pain which that position
sbrinss For two long weeks she has been con-
fined to her room, unable to take a step without
assistance She has borne her sufferings with
heroism and patience only seen in a
woman Her face shows the features Of
o modest and intelligent young lady
of refinement. It was, perhaps, her beauty and
womanly graces that made her so much more
enticing 30 the lecherous villain who attempted
her ruin and her death. Although but twenty
four years old, she has quite a reputation as a
scholar and student, and has made credtable
ventures in the literary line Her wan and
pallid face, furrowed with the lines of suffering
and pain, makes en- eloquent appeal that justice
be melted out to the guilty perpetrator Of the
outrage
W. N. Price, the accused, has been released on
bail The evidence on which he has been arrested
Is said to be about as follows: The detective
who worked up the case obtained the original
letter left on the floor of Miss Aldridges room
By the assailans. He first induced several Diff
ferent persons to copy it for him; he then went
to Mr.. Price and told him that he would like to
have him copy it at once. Price, who has all
along maintained his innocence, made no objec-
tions. The detective read the words, and Price
wrote at his dictation. The copy of the letter
thus made is by many considered inoontro-
yertibly good evidence, and the detective says
he is not afraid to rest the case on that alone.