The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-05-23
SELKING TOOK POISON
ONE OF THE CITY'S OLDEST SALOON
KEEPERS COMMITS SUICIDE.
Mystery Surrounding the Death at
the Summer Resort on Fall
Creek-His History.

William Selking, one of the oldest and
widest known saloon keepers in the city,
took morphine Monday morning with sui
cidal intent, and died last night about mid
night at his home, just north of Fall creek
on Capitol avenue Tennessee street, The
greatest mystery surrounds the entire af-
fair.
No cause is known why he should wish to
die. His business is supposed to be in good
shape, and his family affairs, so far as
known, would not indicate that any break
in his domestic relations could have been
the cause. John Weilacher, the saloon keep
er on East Washington street. said yes
terday that he saw Selking on the street
Saturday and Sunday, and that he was III
the best of spirits. His talk at that time
would not indicate that he was contemplate
ing suicide. Others who have seen him in
the past few days speak in the same way.
DR.. Oliver called to see him yesterday
morning, and he and DR.. Logan spent the
day and evening at the house. DR.. Logan
was seen last night, but declined to talk,
saying that he was told by the family
when he left the house to refer all report
ers to the family for information. When
told that it was known that it was suicide
he admitted in roundabout way that such
mouth had been sealed before he left the
house, and he could not consistently answer
any questions on the subject. DIR. Oliver
admitted that Selking had taken morphine
and said he would not issue a death GER
tifcate in the case, but would notify the
coroner and have the entire matter inves-
tigated. Everyone who has had any con-
nection with the case seems to have been
pledged to secrecy. Why such extreme pre-
cautions have been taken to keep the mat
ter from the public is a mystery.
Mr.. Selking'S son-in-law said last night
that none of the family knew anythi g
about the cause of the act Mr.. Selking
went home about noon Monday and said
he was sick and went to his room. He
ate some supper later in the evening and
was not seen any more until esterday
morning when he was called for breakfast.
He said he was not feeling very
well and would not eat anything. He did
not come down stairs, and at noon 1t was
oliver was called. He did not say any,
thing about why he had taken poison and
soon became unconscious and remained in
that condition until he died. close search
did not reveal any letter or anything to
show why he should commit suicide.
w MRS sekng is 70 no tseIg in t Bualo
relative. She was teegraphed for yester-
day and will be here this morning.
Mr.. SEEKING was ABOUT sixty-nye years
to this country when about thirteen years
old with his parents and went to Cinc.n-
natl, where he lived until in the latter part
of the fifties, when he came to this city.
He was a baker by trade, and worked
in various places about town till Camp
Morton was established during the war
when he was made foreman of the bakery
in the camp. He served in that position
until near or about the close of the war
when. by his close economy. he had saved
enough money to go into business for him
self. He then established himself IN a sa-
loon in building which was on The present
site of the Indiana National Bank, on
East Washington street. He stayed in
that place for several years and then
moved to the room now occupied by the
postoffice mailing room. During his stay
in this place he became quite a well-knowa
figure about town He finally sold this
place TO John Weilacher and went West
1t is not recalled now just where. After
a few years of absence he again appeared
in the city, but this time established his
business in Mt. Jackson, where he contin-
ued for thirteen years. After that he re-
Is South Meridian street. and then soon
opened up the Drum saloon on Monument
Place which he owned at the time of his
DEATH
When he built his home and opened the
saloon out near Fall creek. on Tennessee
street, he sold the South Meridian-street
place. He has been a successful man n
business. but at the same time has lad a
large expenditure. and IL is not believed
that he left a very large property.