The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-12-23
SHOT DOWN WHILE RUNNING
Thomas Conaughton Fatally Wounded
While Fleeing from Constable.
Policeman Isaacs Placed Under Arrest,
but Others Are Also Suspected.

four years or age, who has been employed IN
different capacities on the Cincinnati, Hamilton
& Indianapolis railroad for several years, was
fatally shot at No. 122 Virginia avenue, last
evening, few minutes before o'clock, but by
whom is not definitely known. At the place
near which Conaughton was killed Mrs Sarah
Flesher keeps boarding house. She has
very pretty daughter, Emma, sixteen years of
age, to whom Conaughton, who has been board
ing at the house for three months, has been
paying some attention. Alvin S. Eaton,
brother-in-law of Mrs. Flesher, who also
boarded at the place, has not been
we'll pleased with the attachment that had
sprungup between the two youngpersons. Tues
day night Conaughton in the parlor with
the young lady at 10 o'clock when Mrs Flesher,
who supposed the couple had left the room. asked
Eaton to 90 in and turn off the light, which was
burning low. He went into the room, and, not
seeing the two, as he says, turned off the light
When he was leaving the room Conaughton
asked him what ne meant by that and quarrel
ensued in which several blows were exchanged
The hostilities were renewed yesterday morning
at the breakfast-tabe. and after the meal had
been finished the two went out into the yard to
Conaughton went to his work but Eaton hung
around the house all day. In the afternoon,
when Captain Campbell was passing the house,
he was hailed by Eaton, who wanted him to
arrest Conaughton for assault and battery. The
Captain heard his story. and refused to make the
arrest Ea0 then went before Squire john
son and swore out a warrant for the arrest of
the young man, which was put into the hands Of
Constable Rheinhod for service. At 3 o'clock
the constable called at the house, but was told
to come at O'clock when Conaughton would
return from work
1t was fifteen minutes before 7 o'clock when
he went to the back door of the house and
raped. Conaughton opened the door, and
Rheinhold said:
81 have warrant for you
"Who is it you want9" was the reply.
Thomas Conaughton"
THAT isn't my name; my name is Smith,, and
as ne finished the sentence he struck Rheinhold,
knocking him against a pump over which he
stumbled and fell. Conaughton started to run,
and when Rheinhold got to his feet the prisoner
was jumping the fence over into Hunt & Prays
coal-yard. Rheinhold drew his revolver and
shot twice he says, at the ground, and called to
anyone who might be near to stop the man.
Conauchton ran up into the coal-ysrd few
steps, when third shot was fired and the fugi
tive said that he had been shot.
By this time Rheinhold had got over into the
yard, and Sergeant Sauers and Patrolman
Slate, who were on their way to roll-ca came
up to the house. and asked Rheinhold what was
the matter He responded that some one had
shot that man." Elmer Mcclure. night watch
man at the c., II. g. I. freight Office in the
meantime. hearing the shots, had run out, and
was at Conaughton's side when Rheinhold,
Sauers and Slate came up. When Mcclure
reached Conaughton he was leaning against car
in the yard, but soon fell from loss of blood
"Who shot your asked Sergeant Sauers.
II don't know. He was big man. with
street."
At this point Captain Campbell came up, and
took in charge Constable Rheinhold and had the
wounded man carried to the station-house.
DR.. Hodges was called, and as soon as he ex-
amined the wound he pronounced it a fatal one
The ball entered six inches above, and four
inches to the right of the lower end of the
spinal column. and. passing through the body,
lodged in the flesh near the center OF the abdo-
mer. The ball was cut out by the doctor, and
proved to be from a forty revolver
When the wound had been dressed, Charles Rea-
gan, az uncle of the wounded man, came in with
the assistant priest of St Mary's Church. who
took the young mans confession, and anointed
him. An ambulance was then called and he
was removed to the house of Mr.. Reagan.
II. -
son who did the shooting. Constable Reinhold
stoutly denied that he fired the fatal shot He
produced his revolver, which was q thirty-two
caliber. 1t had two chambers empty; the two he
confessed he had emptied at the man as he went
over the fence. Before the bail had been found
it was believed that Reinhold was the guilty
man, but when the ball proved to have been
from forty-two caiber revolver that relieved
him of the burden of guilt The only man he
said he when he fired was Alphonso
Isaacs, the merchant policeman who runs on IL
linos street, and he thought he did the shooting.
Reinhold said to Journal reporters when
Sauers and were going up to where the man
fell met Isaacs and asked him If the man
was shot He said yes, and passed on He had
on a soft felt hat, and seemed to be in a hurry
Andrew Sauers, sergeant on the Metropolitan
force, said: 'The only men l saw there were
Rheinhold and Slate. / didn't see Isaacs at all,
and he didn't come up and talk with
Rheinhold and myself Slate ran ahead of
Rheinhold and me. and was, l think, the first
man to reach Conaughton. heard three shots,
and the third shot was different from the first
two. and should say was from different gum
Elmer Mcclure. the night Waterman at the
c., H. e. l. freight-house said: when | heard
the shots ran out, and was the first man to
reach Conaughton. When l got to him he was
still leaning against the car. I said to him,
Who shot your and he answered, There
goes the man UP New Jersey street,
4 lI<s
New Jersey street. and ran and overlook him.
The man was Aluhonso Isaacs, the merchant po-
liceman. / said to him, Who shot that man
back there in the yardsr and he ans wered, He
is going up the street here ahead of me- why
don't you arrest hint said I. and to that he made
some light remark, that he was going to after
bit, something similar and went on. I re-
turned to the place where the shooting occurred,
and found the officers. Campbell, Sauers, Slate
and Rheinhold, there / have known Isaacs for
Len, hila ID ca.sld mt haxxa l..e. xxaia 49,