The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-08-15
WOUNDED THE WRONG MAN
In Trying to Kill His Step-Son, Charles
Fowler Fatally Shoots John Bells.
Family Quarrel in Which Yousg John Resri-
don Assisted His Mother with Brick
Fowler Makes His Escape.

A anarrel between. Charles Fowler and
his wife. living on Cook street. in the rear
of 139 South East street, resulted in the
probably fatal injuring of an innocent
third party last evening. John Bells,
who lives at 139 South East street. had
been to the Acton camp-meeting with his
family. and had just returned home. and
was in the stable on the rear of his
lot, and Immediately across Cook
street. which Is simply an alley.
from the house occupied by Fowler and
his wife. Andrew j. Craig, who rents part
of Mr.. Belles's stable from him. was also
in the barn feeding his horse ct a little
after o'clock last night They heard
Fow Ter and his brother Henry quarreling
with Mrs. Fowler. Mr.. Craig says that
all the persons were talking in loud and
boisterous manner and cursing and swear
ing. calling one another all the vile epithets
known to the English language
hsvns S Sssn'sd ont his buggy wife rd,n Hs
with another man. His wife, il seems, adj
mitted that she had probably been seen n
buggy with another man, but said that
she was looking for him, and knew that he
was at the time with another woman.
Craig did not know and could not tell from
the talk, at the time, whether 1t was yes
terday afternoon OF Saturday night that
Mrs. Fowler was alleged to have been with
this other man, but he learned afterwar
that there had been some iii Guilty bet tween
the couple on Saturday night.
1t may be mentioned in this connection
that during roll-call, Saturday night. q
woman answering to the description of Mrs.
Fowler drove mp to the station house and
inquired LOT the superintendent. She told
him she wanted an officer to go with her to
look tor her husband. whom she thought
was in a certain house of evil resort In this
city. superintendent Colbert sent detective
Dougherty with the woman to look for the
unfalthful husband, and the two drove
away from the station-house together.
While the three-sided quarrel between
a step-son of Fowler. drove up to the house
in a buggy and, jumping out of the vehicle.
hit Charles Fowler. his step.father, IN the
face with half brick and then started to
run.
Mr.. Beli,s and Mr. Craig. who saw the
action. started in pursuit of Rearidon.
Fowler, after he was struck in the face, ran
into the house for his revolver
and, coming out. shot at Reariden.
Mr.. Bells's back, striking Just to tho left
of the spinal column. 1t ranged In a direct
line almost entirely through the body, be-
ing cut ont by DR.. S. H. Moore at point
below and and little forward of the left
Bells stopped and. whirllng completely
around. exclaimed. 20 my God! am shotp'
Mrs. Fowler. who was standing In the
door when the shot was fired. zcried out:
Charley, Charley. you've shot the wrong
manw Fowler took to his heels and got
away.
Mr.. Craig ran to the assistance of
Mr.. Bells and supported him viii 10
he walked into the house.
Dr.. S. Ii. Moore, no was summoned, says
that there is almost no hope for Bellis's re-
cOvery. At IL O'Clock last night Bells lay
on couch at his home moaning and toss
ing as If suffering intense pain. He was
at the time splitting blood freely.
At an early hour this morning, Dr.
Moore said Mr.. Belhs was doing as we'll as
could be expected from the nature of the
wound, the ball having penetrated the left
lung. The Doctor says that, unless the
wound becomes inHamed, he will probably
recover.
John Bells. the wounded man, is forty
fiveyears of age, and has q wife and two
daughters living; the youngest. aged eight
teen, living with her parents on Sonth
East street. The oldest dau ghter is married
and lives at North Indianapolis. Mr.. Bel
lis is engaged in the feed business. and Is
also interested in elevator ID. on Virginia
avenue
About 10 o'clock last night officer Laugh
lin arrested Henry Fowler, the brother of
the man who ala the shooting, upon
charges of disturbing the peace and pro-
family. Charley Fowler. the guilty one.
escaped. and M to q late hour last night
had not been arrested, although the police
were making diligent search for him.