The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-03-07
THEY LOOTED A HOUSE
Arrest of Lorenzo Stewards Fam
ily Recalls WatterS0n'S Murder.
Stories Afloat About Stewards Disap-
pearanee OH the Night of the Murder
Investigated by Detectives.

Detectives Dougherty and McGuff yes
terday arrested Lorenzo Stewart on the
charge of burglary. He was locked up.
with his wife. Juanietta Stewart, and his
mother-in-law Julia Schroth. both of whom
are held for receiving stolen goods The
Stewards live at No. PA Yandes street The
husband is twenty years old, while his wife
is but sixteen. The arrest of Stewart re-
called to the minds of the detectives the
brutal murder Of Merchant policeman Wat
terson on last Christmas eve and subse-
queTlt investigation, in which Stewart and
his wife figured prominently On the night
of the Watterson murder Stewart disap-
peared. While the police and detectives
were on the alert for every bit of news that
might throw light upon the crime, it be-
came known to the department that Mrs.
Stewart was talking. 1t was rumored that
Stewart and his wife had not been living
peacably, and that she made an open state
ment a few days after his disappearance,
accusing him of the murder of Watterson.
Detectives were detailed to watch Mrs.
Stewart, and while the officers We're stiff
ing down her alleged statement the rumor
was prevalent that Stewart had turned Up,
and that his wife had disappeared. Yes
terday they were both arrested.
1t appears that the investigation of the
police officials failed to verify the state
ment attributed to the woman, although
she and her husband admit that the latter
left the city on Dec. "a, the date on which
Watterson was killed. Stewart AYERS that
he left town at IL o'clock in the morning,
but his wife claims that he did not go
until night. The Stewards live in the north
east part of the city, d mile or more from
the scene of the WatterSon murder. This
fact led the officers TO make considerable
inquiry in the vicinity. 1t was learned that
Mrs. Stewart, instead of openly accusing
her husband Of the murder, had made the
remark to an acquaintance that il was
peculiar that her husband should have left
home on the night OF the murder 1t was
further revealed that when Stewart came
home his wife mentioned the crime to him
and he appeared annoyed, replying that he
had nothing TO do with the Watterson muir
der, but had absented himself from the city
on account of fight in which he was i'm
plicated at Haughville. He further said
that he was intoxicated at the time, and
sought quarters in freight car, which car
rfed him off TO MartinSyille. From there he
went TO st. Louis. The detective detailed
to look up the actions of Stewart learned
that his story of the Haughville trouble
was true, but as yet the officer has been
unable TO discover the hour of his leaving
the city. Stewart is a core maker by
occupation, and was formerly employed at
the Atlas engine works. He came back to
Indianapolis about three weeks ago, as he
states, from ST. Louis.
A few weeks ago the detectives began
looking for Stewart, who was wanted for
burglarizing house at SIC East Ninth
street on Feb "a. between 4 and 5 o'clock In
the morning. Stewart was accompanied by
his mother-in-law on this expedition. The
occupants Of the house were out of the city,
and Stewart and Mrs. Schroth took every
a towel and coal tongs to the coverings on
the beds. Yesterday most of the missing
articles were found in the house at No. .277
Yan1eS street The articles were being
used for the daily family requirements. The
parties acknowledged the theft and stated
that the remainder of the stolen goods was
being used by relatives in Haughville. The
theft amounted to about 500. The three
prisoners after being arrested yesterday by
the detectives stated at the police station
this morning.