The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-02-16
MILLIONAIRE TO HANG
GOV. STEPHENS REFUSES TO INTER-
FERE IN THE DUESTROW CASE,
And the Doctor VIII Therefore BE
Executed To-Day Unless Declared
Insane by SherifT's Jury.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo-, Feb. 15.-Gov-
ernor Stephens has just decided that he
will not interfere in the case of DR.. Arthur
DueStrow, the millionaire of St. Louis, sem
tenced TO be hanged at Union, Mo-, to-mor-
row. Duestrow killed his wife and child
in cold blood and has been tried several
times for the crime. and twice investiga-
lions as TO his sanity have been made.
Every technicality known 20 law has been
taken advantage OF to save his life. Yes
terday commission of insanity experts
were sent here TO examine Duestrow and
reported to the Governor to-day. AS a re-
suit OF their decision Governor Stephens
has decided 10 let the law take its course,
and he will be hanged unless, as a last re-
sort, the sheriffs jury, which Duestrow's
attorneys have decided to summon, declare
him insane.
Arthur Duestrow is the son of Louis
Duestrow, who became millionaire by the
fabulous rise in Granite Mountain mining
stock His mother was the daughter of
saloon keeper and during the latter years
of her life drank heavily. The boy early
developed propensities. He drank heavily
and was notorious for his stupidity in his
books and his choice of bad companions.
his capacity for liquor WAS such that in
all his haunts he was known as the man
who could drink any one else under the
table. IN 1889 Duestrow 5 father sent him
to the Missouri Medical College, but the
boy never made any progress. he was
stupid and dissipated, and continually
failed to pass his examinations. In 1890 he
was married to Aibertina Leisse who was
three years his senior The union did not
much improve his habits. He continued to
drink and to associate with immoral
women The bulk of the evidence. however.
goes to show that he treated his wife kind
w February a
certainly was passionately fond of his
child.
Louis Duestrow died in 1892. leaving his
s1.000.000 TO his widow and two children,
Hulda and Arthur and making the Union
Trust Company trustee. The income from
Duestrow's one-third was about $4,000.
This has since been increased however,
by the death of his mother. The elder Mrs.
Duestrow went abroad directly after the
tragedy to find evidence to the faint of
hereditary insanity in her husbands fam
lily. She had hardly arrived there when
she died. After Arthur Duestrow's death
the entire estate will go TO Hulda Dues
trow, his sister. She has, apparently.
taken no interest in her brothers fate. and
has repeatedly refused TO advance him
She has never once been to see him since
the crime. He is absolutely without
friend on earth. except his attorneys.
1t was on the afternoon OF Feb. IL, 1894.
that Duestrow went to his elegant home,
near Compton and Lafayette avenues, and
committed the crime. He had been drink
In pleasant anticipation OF his taking her
and their infant child out for sleigh ride.
Duestrow left the sleigh in the care of the
driver and entered the house. A female
servant did something to displease him and
he attempted to strike her. His wife in
terfered TO save the girl, and thus at
tracted the drunkaTd's anger TO herself.
He brutality struck her twice with his
clenched fist knocking her against a bed.
1t was not the first time he had beaten her.
He got the piston and Notwithstanding
her entreaties, fired two shots at her with
the weapon almost touching her body.
She fell unconscious TO the floor After
one glance at her body the drink-crazed
the wall. placed the pistol against its little
breast and fired Then ne rushed from the
house and surrendered to the police.