The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-12-03
Lewis Asher Relates story That
Might Have Acquitted the Preacher
Had Ii Been Told at the Trial.
SAYS HINsHAw is INNOCENT
HE KNOWS WHO KILLED THE MIN
IsTER's WIFE. BIT WON'T TELL.
Heard shots and Saw Two Men Drive
from the Parsonage-Ashcr Held
for Examination by Grand Jurors.


Spccldl 10 the lnOlcudpoh> Joothoi
DANVILLE, Ind. Dec. 2-When the
events OF to-day become known, along with
those the morrow may bring forth. interest
in the strange case of William +. Hinshaw
Will again be at fever heat, for IL the story
of a man who is tonight I'm the Danville
jan be true, William f. Hinshaw is inno-
cent Of the murder Of his wife The man Is
Lewis Asher, and his home is near Stiles
Vile At the time of the tragedy he lived
near Cherry Grove, one of the churches in
MFR. Hinshaws circsit. Mr.. Asher has been
a warm friend of Mr. Hinshaw. and in
stilesville store, after the verdict was re-
turned. he said that Mr. Hinshaw was inno-
cent, and that he knew ne was. With this
statement he left the store The alert
friends OF the minister sought the man. but
he refused to explain his statement Hin
shaws attorneys went TO see him. and he
refused TO say anything except that Mr..
Hinshaw was innocent and that he knew it.
He had not reasoned out his innocence. but
he absolutely knew he was innocent.
Meanwhile matters drifted along and the
November grand jury convened. On IL are
three men who are convinced OF Hinshsw's
innocence and are his warm personal
friends Two of them are members or his
flock. They were ready TO give their atten-
ton to any clew that might aid the con-
victed minister. Friends OF Hinshaw FUR
nished aid on the outside. and Prosecutor
Gulley said he was ready TO do oil In his
power to assist. The idea was conceived
that Mr.. Asher should be brought before
the grand jury on some other matter. and
when examined on 1t he should be excused
He was TO be met at the foot OF the stair
way and taken in charge by friends OF Hin
shaw, who would put him through sweat
box process, as 1t was called. in the hope
that under pressure he might be induced 10
tell what he knew. Prosecutor Gulley dis
approved OF this plan. and said that the
grand jury should take the matter in charge
directly. Saturday q summons was issued
for Mr.. Asher and placed i'm the hands OF
r. w. Bowen. OF Franklin township.
member OF the present petit jury and a JUS
tice of the peace for his township. Early
this morning he called on Asher with the
summons, but Asher refused 10 come 10
Danville. Mr.. Bowen returned the sum-
mons, an attachment was issued for Mr.
Asher and Sheriff Bell and Mr.. Parker.
counsel for Hinshaw. went after him. They
arrived i'm Danvile with the man about
o'clock and took dinner at a restaurant. but
Asher was too agitated to eat. He shook
as IL he had the palsy. and his conduct was
remarked by all. The remainder OF the
afternoon he spent in the court room. and
will go before the grand jury in the morn
ing.
Asher says that on the night OF the trag-
edy his horses broke out OF the barn. and
after 8 o'clock he started 10 hunt them.
He went to Belleville and east or there and
then returned TO Belleville. While search
ing the streets and alleys he saw three men
near the parsonage. He had short time
before seen them drive into town I'm low
buggy with sorrel horse. They acted
suspiciously and he watched them. but he
saw them do nothing wrong. He continued
his search for the horses and when near
the Belleville schoolhouse, which is three
hundred yards west OF the parsonage. he
heard pistol shots and cries for help. He
was frightened and he started home. not
going back to the parsonage When two
miles west of Beileville the buggy passed
him, and 1t contained only two men. He hid
when il passed. but he says he recognized
the occupants. He asserts. however that
he will stay in jail forever before he will
tell who they are. The reason he did not
tell of this incident during the trial was
because his word would be against three.
ana ne was AFRAID OF MS iile- MI. ASner
is sleeping tonight i'm care OF the sheriff
The friends of Hinshaw elated over
Asher's story. but the attorneys for the
State in the recent trial say that nothing
can come out OF the investigation. Mr..
Gulley is as ready to aid in any investiga-
tion that may throw light on the matter as
he was at any time. Ii was suggested to-
day that Mr.. Parker be appointed deputy
prosecuting attorney during this inyestiga-
tion. but Mr.. Gulley promptly declined any
assistance, saying that IL the friends OF Mr..
Hinshaw were not satisfied with his course
after the investigation. then IL would be
time to talk Of deputies. There is a very
general feeling that the States interests.
as well as Mr.. Hnshaws. are safe in Mr..
Gulley's hands. IL Mr.. Asher refuses 10 tell
the grand jury wi,at he knows. he will pe
kept in jail until lie does. He said to-day
that he would tel Judge Hadley what ne
knew, but he would not tell the jurors. for
they would not keep his story secret Asher
has led a rowing life. though married. and
has not lived long in one place. His reputa-
tion is good.