The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-05-01
Double Tragedy i'm n Resort at Louis
VILE Yesterday that Caused Great
Sensation in Kentucky.
GOV. BROWNS SON ARCHIE
AND MRS. FULTON GORDON KILLED
BY THE LATTER'S HUSBAND.
Case of JustifiabIe Homicide, Accord
ing tn the Coroner's Jury-An Con-
cerned Prominent in the State.

the bodies of perhaps two of the most
prominent people in the State of Kentucky
One is that Of Archie Brown. son and pri-
vate secretary to Kentuckys chief execu-
tive, and the other is that Of Mrs. Fulton
Gordon, prominent because of her remarka-
BILE beauty and excellent family connec-
tions. The story is sad one, and has
caused one of the greatest sensations this
city or State has ever been called on to
chronicle. The following telegram found in
Mr.. Browns pocket no doubt is the direct
cause Of the double murder:
louisville, April 2S.
''To Archie d. Brown. Governors private
secretary, Frankfort, KY:
Don't write any more. Come Tuesday.
Meet me at s., 10 a. m. p. NJ"
On receipt Of the above telegram Mr..
Brown came to Louisville and proceeded to
the appointed place. which is at No. 1025
Madison street, where, at 1926 o'clock to-
day, the tragedy occurred At noon Brown,
with Gordon's wife. knocked at the front
door of Lucie B. Smiths Madison-street
house. They were admitted by Matte Mat
tingly. colored woman. and Immediately
went to the upstairs front room, which
had been previously engaged. Thirty min
utes later a rather tall, dark-haired man
knocked at the door of the house and was
admitted. This was Fulton Gordon. He
engaged the front lower room, saying that
a woman would join him there shortly.
The man closed all the doors, and few
minutes later a commotion was heard above,
followed by succession OF pistol shots.
Then there was a hurried movement down
stairs as Mrs Gordon fed from the scene.
A few more shots rang out, and she fell
dead on the porch in the rear yard. Cor
don left the house Immediately, and a few
moments later Browns corpse was found in
the upstairs room.
GORDON CAPTURED.
Police officers Reilly and Lapaile were
standing at Tenth and Walnut at 1885
o'clock. when some negro boys came along
and told them that there had been d MUIR
der at Lucy Smiths house. The policemen
ran down Walnut street. and saw man
running for buggy tied to post at the
corner of West street. The man was
bloody said officer Reilly, land immedi-
ately jumped at the conclusion that he was
the murderer. l ran and caught him just
as he was in the act of jumping into the
buggy. He had already us.tied the horse
when arrived. Gordon, for such he turned
out TO be. said to me:
81 shot both of them. / caught them in
the act. They are both dead. 1 am shot,
too. Come with me and I'll show you
where they are
Gordon was as pale as ghost and was
evidently very weak. LapailIe, myself and
Gordon walked around to Lucy Smiths
house. Just as we got inside the front
door Gordon staggered and was about to
fall. when l caught him. He was in
fainting condition, and somebody dashed
water in his face. / also summoned the
ambulance, and as soon as that arrived We
sent Gordon TO JAIL" Lapaille said he had
known Mrs. Gordon by reputation for some
time. She had been going by the name of
Reese.
An investigation at the Smith house
showed that the tragedy in the front room
of the second floor was as described by the
murderer. Gordon had little difficulty in
getting in the room, as the fact that there
are no broken locks indicates that the en-
try was left unlatched. AS soon as Gordon
gained ingress a desperate duel evidently
began. Brown had a thirty-eisht-caliber re-
volver which was found only after the
tragedy. Gordon must have had two pis-
tolls, as six bullets pierced Browns body
and three that Of Mrs. Gordon. The bed on
which Mr.. Brown and Mrs. Gordon lay
was covered with blood. showing that one
or both had been shot while in that posi-
tion. or in the struggle one or both of the
wounded had fallen there. Gordon himself
was covered with blood. most of which
doubtless the result of contact with
his wounded antagonist. Just what part,
IL any, Mrs. Gordon took in the desperate
encounter only her husband is in a posi-
tion to say. Two bullets are embedded In
the door; several went through window
which faced to the north, three are buried
in the walls and two in the ceiling. The
walls all around the room are smeared
with blood. The carpet on the floor is sat-
urated with gore. and the furniture was
badly broken in the fray.
THE VICTIMS.
Browns body presented a horrible ap-
pearance, being covered with blood from
head to foot. There was no clothing on
the body except pair of knit drawers and
a black pair of socks. The undershirt had
been removed, and the wounds were plainly
visible. There were three gunshot wounds
in the breast. one of them being over the
region of the heart. There were two wounds
in the head. one of them in the center of
the forehead. and there was another in
the center of the stomach and another in
the right arm. Clotted blood oozed from
these wounds, presenting sickening sight
The features were distorted.
Mrs. Gordons body was found on the cell
lar door face downward, clothed only in
chemise. skirt and stockings. Her hair was
loose, and hanging about her head in a
tangled mass. Her face was calm and gave
no sign o. a struggle. Her bosom was cov-
cred with blood and her skirt was be-
spattered with the fluid. Her hands were
tightly clenched and her face was sraeared
with splotches.
Gordon is in Jail, and no one is allowed
to see him. He is unhurt, but is suffering
from nervous prostration. Gordon stated
that he tried to kill himself after shooting
Brown and his wife. but the cartridge failed
TO explode and his hand was nervous. On
his way TO Jail Gordon stated to the Of
ficer that he had suspected the couple for
some time, and about week ago his
suspicious were confirmed Ever since he
learning that she and Brown were at the
house on Madison street, he went there and
the tragedy followed.
At S o'clock tonight the coroner's jury
rendered a verdict OF justifiable homicsie
Gordons case win be tried tomorrow
morning.
Governor Brown. accompanied by Secre-
tary Of State Headley. arrived in the city