The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-05-21
HEKILLED HIS FRIEND
ANOTHER CASE OF NOT KNOWING
THE REVOLVER WAS LOADED.
Claude al Plays
Dick, and Puts n Bullet in the
Head of Wiley Taylor.

Yesterday morning about IL o'clock
Claude Sanders, colored, aged nineteen
years. shot Wiley Taylor. also colored.
aged twenty years, in the head, the latter
dying several hours later from the effects
of the wound j. L. Keach's commission
house. No.. 81 South Delaware street, was
the scene of the tragedy. and the weapon
was a revolver that Sanders didn't know
was loaded. Taylor and Sanders have
been close friends for a number of years,
and came to this city from Franklin, this
State. several years ago. where they lived
together for a long time. AT the time of
the shooting they were rooming together
at No. 5S Davis street. Taylor is employed
as a driver for Mr.. Reach, and generally
every Sunday morning he vent TO the
commission house to engage in odd jobs or
to chat with the other workmen who gath
cred there. Yesterday morning, about 10
o'clock, Sanders n Taylor, in company
with Albert Moore, who also rooms in the
same house. went to the store for the GUS
tomary social time. This was nothing I'M
usual for Sanders. as he was formerly en-
ployed by Mr.. Reach, and was well liked
by him. Arriving at the store the trio sat
around on boxes and chairs and engaged in
pleasant talk. There were several others
present, among whom was a man known
as Tennessee" Finally the conversation
turned on the subject of prize fights, war
and eventually on the killing of Indians.
Sanders remarked that he believed he
would make a great Indian fighter, and
was told by Taylor, who was sitting near,
that he would make a great coward. This
retort brought forth laughs from all pres
ent, In which Taylor and Sanders both
joined Finally Sanders remarked that he
was "Deadwood Dick" and was a terror
to redskins. Taylor laughed heartily as
sanders hopped about the room as If in
imitation OF killing Indians, and winked at
a companion. Sanders saw Taylor wink,
and quietly told him not TO wink again,
full humor, and "Deadwood Dick" rernem-
pering that there was a revolver I'm a
drawer OF a desk close by, got it, unno-
tceu py Taylor, n was still sitting in
Sanders claimed he examined the revolver
hastily and believed 1T was not loaded.
and, holding the weapon down by his side
asked se anit T ISyD9r e could hid mot Inssg see il. he smilingly
more. TayIor rep Ie ni by 20 wink any
upon Sanders aimed the revolver at Tay-
lors head and pulled the trigger. The
weapon was loaded. and a bullet entered
his head hanging over the back of the
1 - oOOh as tllC cIIOI NdS HTeu San0-
ers, realizing what he had done, told Ten
nessee' and the others in the store to run
Tor a physician, while he himself would 90
10 the police station and surrender him
sell. Ihis was done. and on reaching the
police station Sanders spent some time in
locating. Superintendent PoweIPs office,
However. some one had previously informed
the superintendent that q shooting affrav
nad occurred on South Delaware street.
S we're me- sur IN y SSndR oWg t Ttth stairs sfyerS Tbe Offices fSsy;
met Sanders. lie quickly told them his err
a and was placed In charge of Turnkey
Al Taffe.
Superintendent Powell. accompanied nv
the officers and Police Surgeon Kahlo, who
happened to be at the police station at that
moment. FASTENED TO the commission house
ana found Taylor resting unconscious in
the chair. his brains slowly oozing from
the bullet hole and his face covered with
blood. He was placed In the patrol wagon.
wnich had been summoned, and removed to
the police station, where Police Surgeon
the bullet had entered the skull and per
foratsd the brain, and that TAYLOR would
certainly die. However, the wound was
Dandaged and Taylor was removed to his
home. No. 50 Davis street. His tenacity
unconscious all the time, his respiration
was good. DR.. Schaffer was called in TO
see him. but he did nothing, as he saw
that the man was beyond all human aid.
Taylor fingered until 8 o'clock last even
ing. when he died.
Superintendent Powell ordered Sanders
slated on a charge of assault and battery
with intent to kill. AT the police Station
sanders tod a straightforward and TRUTH
ful story. II was believed by all that he
had Killed Taylor, his friend, simply through
loaded All who saw the shooting are of
the same belief.