The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-11-30
INDIANAAND ILLINOIS NEWS
The Murder Off Pretty Girl Recalled by
the Coming Trial of the Assassin.
A Republicans Lucky RecOunt-Remarkable
Preservation of a WOman's Body-0ld Sol
diers' Reuni0n-PrOf. Il. J. Lees Death.


Beginning of the Trial of Ed Chamberlain for
the Murder of His Sweetheart.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal
LoGANsPoRT, Nov. 29-The trial of Ed
Chamberlain, the murderer of Miss Ida Witten-
burg. of Reynolds. was begun in the Circuit
Court here yesterday. The whole of the day
was consumed in impaneling a jury, which was
selected from o venire OF ffty-two men. During
ali OF the procedure in the case Chamberlain sat
in court with an apparent vacant look and disin-
teres.ed sort OF demeanor. He is twenty-five
years of age, about five feet and nine inches
in height, and is a little fsshy. He weighs, per-
haps, l55 pounds. He is dark complexioned and
has a round but not intelligent face. His hair is
a dark brown and closely cut, and a very
dark, medium-siZed mustache adorns his
upper liz. He wore dark clothes and had bis
shoes blacked, but had on no collar. and in its
place wore a red-and-white handkerchief. He
will be defended by Hon. Z. 3. Sellers and
Palmer d Stills. Of Monticello, and Nelson e.
Myers aud NJ. ID. Fansler. of this city. The
State will be represented by attorneys Guthrie,
Uhl and Bushnell. of Monticello. Judge Dyke
man and Prosecutor McGreevy, of this city.
Ed Chamberlain and Miss Ida Wittenburg re-
sided in Reynolds. west of Monticello. and had
been acquainted from youth. They had always
been good friends. Chamberlsin's friendship
for the girl ripened into a mad love for her az
they matured; but his love was unrequited. On
the evening Of April II. 1855, both attended a
singing school in the village, Miss Wittenburg
in company with John Murray, a local tel
egrapher. This seems to have made Chamber
lain insanely jealous. Murray accompanied
Miss Wittenburg home and left her
a back door she was seized,
dragged a short distance and shot in the mouth.
Murray returned; but too late. The ball shat
tered several teeth, and lodged in the head.
no, NV a 81. AAyA-1 Aa-a ~A~ Va
murderer was identified as Chamberlain, the
lover. He was at large several days. and was
captured. The feeling was 40 bitter against
him that he was taken to Lafayette for a time.
He was returned to Monticello. aud while there
assaulted Sheriff Joseph Henderson,, whose life
was despaired Of for days. Chamberlain escaped.
but was captured at the house of an uncle, VIM.
Biddie. He was then taken to Michigan City,
and there remained until he was brought to
White county for trial. A change of venue
brought him here. The insanity dodge is the
ground Of defense. It is not thought. however,
that the insanity plea will save the man who
has hitherto been credited with ordinary sense,
and who has committed one of the most cruel
and unprovoked murders in the annals of crime.
Thanksgiving Day at Several Places.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal
LAPoRTE, Nov. 29.-The NJ. Rumsly Com
pany, of this city, arranged for Thanksgiving
day in q novel and appropriate manner. At
4:30 o'clock, yesterday afternoon, all the en-
ployes were summoned into a large room of one
Of the warehouses, which had been tastefully
decorated for the OCCASION, and each of the mar.
ried men was presented with a turkey, while
each unmarried employee received a box Of
choice cigars. - was a complete %susprise,
which will be long remembered by the men.
CRAwFoRDsvILLE, Nov. &c. To-day was gen.
orally observed as a day of thanks in this city.
The services we're conducted by Rev. r. j. Cum
ninghsm in Center Church. Music especially
for this occasion was rendered by Miss Mary
Thomson. Mrs. E. l.. Thomas and Messrs. a.
A. Mccain end G. l.. Hughes, with Mrs. 4. b.
tainment was given at the A. NJ. L. Church,
and was called a Japanese tea. with songs and
drilling. AT the Catholic Church 81 Acial serv-
ices were held at s A. NJ.
WINCHESTER, Nov. 29.-Union Thanksgiving
services were held here to-day at tho Presby-
terisn Church, Rev. WEIGH, of the NJ. E.. Church,
delivering the discourse. The day was quite
generally observed as a day of true THANKSGIVING
and prayer. At night the W. Z. Miller Military
Band gave q Thanksgiving ball at Gordon's
Rink.
GREENsBURG, Nov. 29.-Services were held at
the Christian Church to-day. The sermon was
preached by Rev. Reynolds, of the Centenary
VI. +. Church, and assistance was rendered by
all the other city pastors. Many family re-.
unions were held, and the usual fine dinners
served.
RICHMOND, Nov. 29.-This was q typical
THANKSGIVING in Richmond, given up to church
services and fessting during the day and social
| exercises IN the evening, including a home-tal-
ent public entertainment.