The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-01-28

Evidence in the MurderOus Assault on
Mr.. and Mrs. Kirby.

MT. anu MIS-. NfTbss
Special TO the Indianapolis Journal.
FRENCH LICK. Ind, JAN. 27.-Judge
William F~errill, who has been employed by
a committee of citizens to conduct the court
of inquiry before Squire Robert Kirklin
into the brutal assault on Mr.. and Mrs.
Kirby, has dictated the facts so far devel-
oped by the examinations of eleven wit
nesses. The suspected winingers and their
kindred. and the sons of Samuel Kirby and
his wife, the victims of the assault and
robbery of last Friday night were search
ingly questioned by the prosecuting attor-
ney and Judge Ferrill. One of the sons of
Mr.. Kirby-Joseph Kirby-an invalid from
rheumatism-and his mother remained at
home Friday night, the other members of
the family having gone to one of the quar-
terly meetings being held at Mount Leba-
non Methodist Church, near the Kirby
home, two miles southwest of this place.
Mr.. Kirby had taken in at that meeting a
few dollars as "quarterage," he being a
steward of the church, ana this money was
a part Of the Sc or s. stolen by the rob-
bers. The son Joseph recited how he was
awakened by the door to his room being
opened by one of the robbers shortly after
midnight. A number OF citizens. however.
think there are several ugly circumstances
tending to connect him with the crime.
Joseph Kirby says he climbed the stair
way in his crippled condition.. on his hands
and knees, and did not succeed in awaken
ing his two brothers until he got TO the
top Of the stairs. subsequently,. he claims.
that after his two brothers had gone out
on horseback to give the alarm i'm the
neighborhood he managed to bride and
saddle a horse. and leading the horse to a
fence he got on him and then rode to the
houses OF three ~neighborS and asked them
10 come over 10 the Kirby house. One of
these neighbors-William A. Burton-sav VS.
that young Kirby did not tell him anything
about the robbery nor mention the CHASTITY
wounds inflicted on his father and mother.
and that he did not know of the injuries
until he arrived at the house.
The evidence to-day deVelOped that n
number of lies have been circulated about
the work of the bloodhounds of Orleans
that those dogs did not accomplish half
as much successful work as has been
claimed for them, and that there is no
foundation for the statement that thew fol-
iowed the trail to the premises of one of
the Wfningers. Neither is there anything in
the evidence showing that any peculiar
tracks were observed along the trail. Sher-
III zones says there is not one word of
truth In the rumor that a peculiar patch
was found on young Wininger's boot. 1t
also appears i'm evidence that the 500 which
old man Kirby had i'm his house Tuesday
has mysteriously disappeared. DIR. Lyon. of
Hillham. denies that Charles W~ininger was
present last Friday in his store at Hill
nam when the conversation occurred in
which mention was made of 800 which Mr..
Kirby had at his home. Another thing
which is talked about here tonight Is the
fact that the old gentleman. Mr.. Samuel
Kirby. was buying the land in Dubois coun-
~ for Joseph Kirby'S Younger brothers.
greatly to Joseph,s indignation.
Mrs. Mary Ann Kirby. the wounded wife
and mother, sat up in bed to-day and ate
some dinner, and hopes are now entertained
that she may recover. There is no hone for
the old gentleman. Sheriff Lindley Jones,
OF PaoH. has been here since Friday morn
ing. at his own expense. and is doing all
he can to aid i'm discovering the guilty
party. His friends feel indignant that he
should be condemned and criticised for not
having arrested anyone. Judge Ferrill to-
night stated that such criticism is unjust
and that Mr.. JOnes's conduct has been
proper throughout this whole affair. Mr..
Jones was elected sheriff last fall by over
800 majority and is immensely popular. He
is an active Republican and a good officer.