The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-08-03
A WOMAN In THE CASE
A NEW DETECTIVE APPEARS IN
WEST INDIANAPOLIS.
She Thinks Her Sex VIII Give Her
Opportunities That Men Do Not
Have-No New CIews Discovered.

woman detective appeared in West In
dianapolis yesterday TO solve the mystery
surrounding the murder of little Ida Geb-
hard. At late hour last night the child's
murder was as much a mystery as ever.
The woman spent much time in the neigh
borhood and around the Gebhard home, but
if she obtained anything to direct her 1t
was more than any one else has done up to
date. and she said nothing about it. The
woman detective apparently depended upon
her sex to get something from the women
OF the neighborhood for she talked to sew
eral of them about the tragedy. She was
tall and slender, and dressed in black. She
walked and talked as IL she saw and heard
everything in a moments time. Those who
met her say she has IAN eagle eye," an IN
dication of the true-born detective. The 9TH
er detectives were not so numerous as upon
former days, as a majority has evidently
reached the conclusion that the case is not
as easily explained as 1t might appear TO a
stranger
From indications it seems that some work
known TO detectives as dirty work. has
been done in the case. Three-fourths of the
detectives who worked upon the case en-
deavored to force Mrs. Gerhard the moth
er, into making some kind OF confession.
A number Of alleged reports have been told
her, and ii has developed that they are lies
without foundation. 1t has been alleged
that so and so' has told convicting testi-
mony, and Mrs. Gerhard has been con-
fronted with many of the lies, but at no
time has she wavered from her story. 1t
will be remembered that child's hair was
found clinging to some boards in the well.
1t Is claimed that these were placed there
to form evidence in the line chosen by some
one with a theory. The day after the
child's body was found the boards were
closely examined. and not hair could be
found. They were held to the light, as it
was thought that perhaps hair could be
found, but not one could be seen. Squire
Herig, who was present at the first exam
nation is sure that the hair was placed
there after that 1t is old trick among
INSCRIPTIONS detectives to manufacture
evidence against a person under suspicion.
1t is also thought by some that the hair
was placed there by the murderer of the
child, who probably did so to throw suspi-
cion upon the Gebhards
A dispatch from Dowagiac, Mich, the
nome or the Gebhards. says That the body
doubt about IL being that of Ida. Ii was
thought by some there that the body was
too large. being that of girl probably five
Il
body was too badly decomposed to be that
of Ida Gerhard The theory that body
had been substituted was one of the flrc;
to be investigated. The undertakers say
could be expected after four days expos
ure. The head and neck were in very bad
fected No child corresponding in years is
known TO have been buried during the
week of Ida's disappearance. and no child is
reported as missing. The undertakers say
the body had not been in a grave; that IL,
IL could not have been there any length or
time and been in the condition as found.
Mr.. Gerhard received a letter from his
home last evening In which he was i'm
formed that the relatives who viewed the
exhumed body were satisfied that 1t was
that of his child, as was the physician, who
was well acquainted with her. Father
Boaz, of Dowegiac, sends to superintendent
Powell excellent certificate of character for
Mr.. Gerhard and wife. The Dowagiac Times
of July 30 quotes at length from the Jour
nails account of the affair. and says. edi-
torially:
"Whisperngs of evil work upon the part
of Mr.. and Mrs. George Gerhard have been
flying about the city like blaze in a bale
from the Indianapolis police. These rumors
come TO a sudden halt every time they run
against a party who knows MIR. or Mrs.
of justice or mercy they 'H Will stop all SUCH
foolish tattle. Have they not the imagina-
ton to place themselves in the position or
to the most terrible tragedy a mother and
father can be placed under. and imagine for
moment what such charge, or even sus-
picion, means. Mrs. Gerhard is daughter
Of Charles Benke, an honest and most re-
spectacle farmer, well known here for thir-
ty-five years. She enjoys reputation
above reproach. George Gerhard stands
behind record that at once exonerates him
from the commission of such crime. He
pays his debts promptly. We have been TO
many of our business men, and to George
Gebhard's associates, and all are indignant
that such foul-mouthed gossip should
move an inch in social atmosphere.
George Gerhard bears an enviable record
and reputation that comes to his aid In this
time of terrible trouble. Is this the best
the Indianapolis authorities have to offer a.
the source Of the cruel destruction of little
Ida Gerhard? Can they do nothing better
than to run their detective dagger into the
already bleeding hearts of these bowed
down and grief-stricken parents?"
Coroner Castor is without idea of the
case. and If he were to render verdict to-
day ii would be that little Ida came to her
death at the hands of unknown people. The
Indianapolis detectives are not working ac-
lively, but they have several undeveloped
clews which may solve the mystery. 1t is
thought that the name of the guilty person
has never been used in connection with the
case.