The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-02-27
WARREN TATE DYING
ONE OF MOST CELEBRATED TRACE
DIES IN THE COUNTY RECALLED.
Courthouse in 1s7S-Tate's
AcquittaI.

Warren Tate, whose name is familiar to
a majority of the older citizens OF Indian
apolis, is lying at the point of death at
his home, No. IA North East street He
is suffering from pneumonia and other Sc
rious complications. His physicians stated
last night that ne could hardly recover
Twenty years ago no man was better known
in indianapolis than Warren Tate. About
that time he came into prominence on ac-
count OF tragedy in which he was the
principal actor. His victim was no xless
known In Indianapolis.
There are many i'm this city who will re-
call the Tate-Love murder, which occurred
Tuesday, Nov. 10, 1873. In the criminal his
tory OF the city no more daring or tragic
affair ever happened. About O'Clock in
the afternoon OF the date above named Will
liam Love was shot and killed by Warren
Tate. The tragedy occurred orf%the second
floor OF the courthouse In the corridor, about
half way between the doors of the Circuit
Court and Room 2, Superior Court. The af-
fray grew out Of certain litigation in the
suit of Tate vs.. Pouder, which was being
tried by Judge David Burns in the Circuit
Court. The suit involved q tract of land
south OF the city in which Tate was inter-
ested. A number OF real-estate experts had
been called into court to testify as to the
value OF the land, and among the real-estate
men was William Love. The latter APP
praised the land at s., 600 an acre, which was
against Tate's interests. This action on the
part OF Love angered the litigant intense
ly but he did not display his wrath until
he left the court room Just outside the door
he met William il. Hobbs, who had also
been called as an expert. The men
stood conversing a few moments about the
land and Hobbs called TO William Love as
he came into the corridor. Love approached
and Hobbs asked him to put an estimate
on the land. His reply kindled afresh the
anger OF Tate, who turned toward Love
with a harsh remark. IL was said that Love
struck at Tate, but the blow fell short. As
Love turned away, Tate drew his pistol
and fired twice. Mr.. Hobbs saw murder
Gus expression the face OF Tate and
stepped into the court room, out of the way,
as the shots were fired. One bullet struck
Love in the right leg and the other pene-
trated the right side OF his body. between
the ribs and hip. The bullet ranged down.
ward and was thought TO have lodged near
the base OF. the spine. Different versions
of the affair at once became public. Tate
declared that Love called him a liar and
struck him twice. w. II. Hobbs. who was
present when the trouble began, testified
before the coroner that Tate gave the lie
to Love. Mr.. Hobbs said that Love struck
at Tate, but did not touch him.
The news OF the murder created the Wild
much interest was manifested I'm the details
all over the city. Love lived until about
o'clock that evening. For an hour after
the shooting he lay on a table in one OF the
rooms OF the courthouse, surrounded by
physicians and the members sof his family:
His wife and daughter were notified and
hurried 90 his side. Tate. after the ARRAY,
placed his pistol in his pocket and returned
TO the court room. In a few minutes he was
called TO the witness stand and a.tnough
the piteous means IL his victims family
could be heard In the adjoining room he
coolly replied to the questions OF the at
torneys concerning his land interests. Later
in the day he was arrested and placed In
Jail on the charge of murder.
At the time there were few better Known
men In indianapolis than Warren Tate and
William Love. Tate had come to the city
from Lawrenceburg about the beginning OF
the war and had made money rapidly. His
fortune was estimated at 100000. William
Love was also in good circumstances, ana
was prominent In real estate circles. For
years he had been one of the pillars or
Roberts Park Church. He lived at the cor
ner OF Delaware and Pratt streets. War
rem Tate's residence at that time was I'm
Chicago, where he had several years be-
fore gone into business.
IL was not the killing OF Love that first
brought Tate into notoriety Ten years be-
fore he had created good deal of COM
ment by marrying Jennie Daily. the pro-
after his marriage TO this woman she sold
out her house and they moved TO Chicago.
Immediately after his arrest Tate began
employed John S. Duncan, Jonathan w.
Gordon and Gen. Fred Knefier TO look after
his case. 1t was generally understood that
money was to be spent lavishly in saving
the slayer OF Love. When the case came
to trial In the Criminal Court plea OF
self-defense was entered, and that
ground the legal battle was fought. John
Il. ELAN was the prosecuting attorney, and
had the best of assistance. After two
weeks trial Tate walked from the court
room free man. Before the murder trial
Judge Burns, of the Circuit Court, fined
Tate $4,000 for contempt of court. His at
torneys appealed to the Supreme Court,
where the fine was set aside.
Immediately after his acquittal Tate went
back to Chicago, but a few years ago re-
turned to this city with his wife. They
built a handsome brick residence on North
East street, where they at present reside
The house Is brilliant throughout with
costly furnishings, and nothing is lacking
in so far as bright surroundings 20 10 COM
plete the happiness OF the occupants. Tate
has a sister in this city and a brother who
lives at Kokomo.