The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-12-16
A Mysterious Murder Case.

CHICAGO, Dec. 15.-Miss Sarah Dodge. who
was implicated In the mysterious murder
of Col. Walter Bsbcock. in August. 1887. is
in confinement in the town of Morris, and
will be examined as to her sanity. Since
the murder MISS Dodge has lived alone on
her farm. growing more strange in her
actions. until recently her eccentricity has
taken a dangerous turn. Babcock, who was
. wealthy lumber man of this city. took
the train for Gardner. ILL.,, and got OFF q
quarter of a mile from the village. At4
o'clock the next morning he applied to q
physician In Gardner for treatment for O
pistol wound in the groin. lie was brought
20 this city. and died the next day without
making u explanation rs TO how he re-
ceived the wound. lt was shown that
Babcock was In the habit of making quiet
trips to the Dodge house and staying over
DiRht. The next morning Miss Dodge
would drive him TO the train. Witnesses
swore that on the day Babcock was shot
they saw Miss Dodge returning from the
village of GardneYto her farmhouse. Miss
Dodge was suspected of tho shooting, and
was in jail for some time. but was act free,
no Indictment being found against her.
Additional mystery was lent TO Colonel
Babcock's life by the appearance q year
later of an old woman. Mrs. FaiTchild, who
claimed TO be his widow and asked for q
share OF the estate.
A Condemned Murderer slashes Himself.
LEAvENwoRTH, Kan, Dec. IA few
minutes before s o'clock tins morning c. A.
Benson. Theresa Mettman's murderer.
whose appeal 10 the Supreme Court of the
United States on O writ of error has just
been denied. made q vigorous attack with
. knife upon Captain Morgan, his aged
d~eath-watch. He forced Morgan TO his
knees. but the old man pleaded so hard for
mercy that Benson said he could not find
the heart TO kill him. The disturbance
brought the jailers to the rescue of Morgan.
Benson plunged the knife twice into his
own left side. once under the heart. and
again penetrating the wall of the stomach.
During the struggle with the guard Ren-
SON slashed and cut him about the face in a
terrible manner. The wounds, however.
are not considered dangerous. Benson also
took poison. At noon he was in an uncon-
scious condition, and efforts to revive him
proved fruitless. The wounds In his breast
inches long and five deep. They of them
selves would prove fatal without the aid Of
poison. Benson had concealed the knife
with which be ounde himself in the sole
OF one of his boots.
Benson died at T:30 tonight. He exhibit
ed the utmost sana froid. and made no con-
fessiOn of his most brutal murder of Mrs.
Netteman. nor expressed the slightest re-
greet at his ATTEMPTED murder OF bis watch.
Miss Anderson's Assaiiant Still at Large.
BOWLING GREEN, KY. Dec. 15.-The ne
gro who assaulted and attempted TO mur-
der Miss Anderson has not been brought to
Justice. There are now six different negroes
held as suspects. but there is no positive
proof against any one of them. The young
lady 10 very weak ethis morning. and mono
of the prisoners have been taken before
her for Identification. The City Council
has offered a reward of $3.50. and has also
authorized Chief OF Police James to secure
blood-hounds TO put upon the track of the
negro.
Gang of Outlaws to BE ExterminAted