The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-04-06
WADLEY CONFESSES GUILT
Admits that He Was Accessory to the
Violent Death of His Wife.
Coroner and Physicians Discredit His Story
as to the Manner Of Her Death
Placed Behind the Bars.

Two weeks ago last Friday Mrs Minerva
Wadley. wife of Charles Wadley. died very
suddenly at her home, No. 74ls North Della
ware street. Surrounding circumstances
were very suspicious, and the coroner was
called. He ordered IN autopsy. 1t was
held and Mrs. Wadley was buried. followed
to the grave by the weeping and appar-
emily grlef-stricken husband and two
motherless girls. The rnmors which had
been gossiped around the ~neighborhoOd
gained in circulation and authenticity as
the rigid Investigation of the coroner
went on, and the husband himself
took the oath of q witness. He told. with
apparent truthfulness. the manner in
which his wife died. completely ~exonerat-
ing himself. In the eyes of the people. OF
any complicity in the sudden death. The
evidence of other members OF the family
was continued, and the last of the growing
CHAIN was linked together yesterday. and
to-day would have been placed in the pos
session of the grand jury. At 6 o'clock last
night Dr.. Beck, the coroner. left his Office.
and went home to supper. At z o'clock
Charles Wadley. by his own confession,
"1o Al II O0kS ~ 0OA
der of his wife.
Since the death of Mrs. Wadlev there has
been q feeling in the breast Of her friends
that her husband was responsible for the
sudden taking of. but there was no suspl-
cion that she died in the manner in which
he claims. Wadley's statement to the coro-
ner is vague and peculiar. He admits that
he was Indirectly the cause of her death,
but AYERS that she died while in the midst
of an operation performed by himself, and
at her solicitation. Yesterday. just after
noon, he called at the office of Coroner
Beck and talked for an hour about tho
death of his wife. making An appointment
for 3 o'clock yesterday evening. He was
nervous and the coroner believed that he
was OH the eve of making a statement
which would throw some light on the mys-
terry.
Promptly at 5 o'clock Wadley came again
and the subject was discussed in detail.
DR.. Beck fatty informed the man hat he
was satisfied he knew more than he had
before related about the matter and urged
him to unbosom himself. Wadley left the
office very much wrought up. and stating
that he would call after supper. Shortly
after z o'clock he returned, acting strang-
ly, but not disposed to talk. Finally, at
the earnest appeal of the coroner. he opened
his lips. and before a half hour had passed
the confession was made. After he had
told his story Wadley asked what he
should do. and was informed that be must
give himself up to the officers of the law.
He made no demur to the proposition, and
with DR.. Beck walked to the jail. Sheriff
emmett was put in possession of the facts,
and Wadley wes usheIed into q cell. Later
In the evening he talked to the Journal.
and held back no particulars of the affair,
rather displaying o desire to tell every
thing. He spoke of his wife's last hours
with the utmost GOODNESS, deliberately hes
itating q sufficient time during the CONVEX
ton to light a cigar. which he leisurely
pulled as be proceeded. He had nothing to
say of the reports of the abrse heaped
upon his wife. and declined to discuss
family matters not directly bearing upon
her death.
The coroner is not at all satisfied with
the statement of the prisoner. and while he
believes that Mrs. Wadley did not die from
natural causes. he does not place q great
deal of credencoi in her husbands confession.
The autopsy, as held by Drs. Rudy. and
theory, and Dr. A. w. Bray ton. partner of
DR.. Hessler. says that IL Mrs. Wadley died
from the effects Of an operation, as de-
scribed by her husband, her symptoms and
post mortem condition Of the body were
most peculiar. 1t has been the unanimous
opinion OF the physicians that death was
due TO s~trsngulation, but whether from vio-
lence OF from disease they have been unable
TO decide. Charles Wadley Is tnlrty-1Onr
years old and had been married to his de-
ceased wife about five years. she being di-
y0rced from o former husband. Zach Dor.
man. Wadley Is a printer by trade and has
been employed by the Western Horseman.
Mrs. Martha Weaver, who gave evidence
last week in the death of Mrs. Minerva
Wadley. was recalled by the coroner yes
terday and questioned closely. Mrs.
Weaver lived in the same fiat with the
WadIeys. and testified yesterday that when
she entered the death chamber Wadley was
standing over his wife with a cloth. with
which he was removing the froth from her
face and mouth. Mrs. Wesver also stated
that she noticed that the dead woman's
clothing was somewhat disarr8nged.
Jacob Baughman. of No. 127 Winchester
avenue, was examined yesterday afternoon,
and testified to being closely acquainted
with the Wadley family. He had known
of their having family disturbances. and
Mrs. Wadley had once told him that she
feared her husband would poison her. She
seemed to fear for her life. while her hus-
band vas constantly accusing her of inf
deity and avOwing that he would be re.
venged.