The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1893-12-27


Deaths-Minor Notes.
SULLIVAN, Dec PA fearful trag-
edy was enacted here this morning. w.
c. Hultz, a prominent attorney Of this
place. was shot at the entrance to
livery stable.
The assassin was armed with a double
barrel shotgun. both barrels of which
were discharged in rapid succession, TAX
ing effect in Hultz's back.
He fell at the entrance OF the stable.
and called to a man in the rear part of
the building that he had been shot by
Lem Willis.
He died almost instantly.
No one appears to have, seen the
shooting. which occurred at o'clock.
when but few persons were out.
The assassin who appears to have
been in disguise, was seen to have run
away from the place, lodging through
alleys.
Some three months ago Willis sus-
pected a criminal intimacy between his
wife and Hultz, and set trap for
them by telling his wife he had business
in another town which would detain
him all night. She drove him to the
station and saw him get on the train.
and then informed Hultz that her hus-
band would be away that night.
At an early hour in the evening the
husband returned, and listening at the
window discovered the guilty pair to-
gether He fastened the door Of es-
cape and broke in on them, shooting at
the intruder. Hultz was wounded, but
eel
He then went to Arkansas on hunt,
and not returning with the party, 1t
was supposed he would seek another
location.
A few days ago he returned, and it
was announced he had come to stay.
The assassination was not, therefore, a
matter of great surprise.
About an hour after the killing Willis
was arrested by constable, who met
him coming toward town. He claims
10 be innocent.
willis is ex-sherIff of this county
The circumsta ntiaI evidence against him
IS very strong. A small boy has been
found who. lust before the shooting,
saw a man who. the boy says positively.
was none other than willis. putting on
a false beard and wig in stairway.
The hostler Of the stable was told by
a disguised man just before the shoot
ing TO leave the stable
linn diately after the shooting the
assassin ran out of town in the direc-
ton OF Willis's farm. stopping at a small
pond. where he wrapped the wig, beard
and gun - the overcoat he had worn
and then threw the bundle into the
At the time Hultz and Mrs Willis
were caught together Willis secured a
divorce and brought a suit for heavy
damages against HultZ. This was still
pending. Willis, it is said, having re-
ceived offers of compromise
The popular sentiment is strongly
against Willis tonight although at the
time Of the former happening it was
with him.
TERRF HAUTE. Dec. Especial
At 10 O'Clock tonight news came from
Sullivan that the situation is threaten
ing and that fifty special deputies in
charge Of United States Marshal Haw-
kins are guarding the jail from an OK
pected mob bent on lynching ex-Sherifi
Willis.
SULLIVAN. Dec. %. - Special - The
Sunday morning tragedy continues &c
excite the people, and the interest ano
feeling seem To be increasing as the
Coroner's inquest continues and develops
the manner in which the horrible crime
was committed and as the facts become
more apparent who the guilty party IS
Each witness at the cOroner's inquest
today added a link in the chain of evi
dence that places the crime at the teei
OF Lem H. Willis
Willis lives one and one-fourth mile'
north Of town. Immediately after tn
horrible crime the party who did y
shooting went on run in northe RI
direction Through the alleys and OUT {
town. He stripped himself of his n asl
overcoat and sun and threw them in
pond. They have been identified { IS bt
ing used by the murderer. He COZ .tinue
running tow1rd the home Of Wits.
The G7.ne al opinion Of the peopl
grows Stronger that Willis CT dnmitte
the crime. as no one else had my caus
10 harm Mr.. Hultz.
Willis and Hultz have bef n enemie
for the pa ST four months, " Ills havin
threaten e6 the life of Nv ltz sayin
together
Willis walked the floor i n his cell las
night VI x a sad cOUnten ance realizin
the terri bic crime he had committed. an
refused TO talk to any one except his a
tOrney. ". ; Maple It, is generally III
derstOOd that he wiz Try to prove a
alibi
Nj .Hultz's remains are at the HON
of his only sister on N Main-st., wheI
they were taken Sunday evening ate
the exs nina ton Of his body. The funers
will BE- held Tuesday evening at tn
Christian church by the odd fellows
Every business house in town will b
closed duri4g the services.
The preliminary. examination will b
held Thurs DIZZY at 9 o'clock G. D. Hun
who repres ents the state in the case ha
telegraphe1 fer w. L. Slinkard TO com
and assist him In the examination.
The inqdest VIII continue until ever
possible chance to convict the guilty on
has been srBsd. It will last two dajs We
TERRE HAUTE, Dec. Especial
At 1890 a. m. word was received froi
Sullivan to the effect that the situatiol
which was critica earlier in the night
now much cas- Ter, and it is believed ths
all viii pass over without any move
lynch Willi9. Most of the threatenin
crowd has dispersed. Many farmers al
in towTt from the country, which adde
to the excitement.
"A NARROW ESCAPE.