The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-09-01
FOUND DEAD IN A ICHAIR
JESSE G. HARRIS, A WEST INDIAN
APOLIS GROCER, COMMITS SUICIDE.
Discovered at Dawn I'm Front of His
GrOcery-A Quarrel That I'm
balanced His Mind.

Jesse C. Harris, aged about sixty-five,
committed suicide some time Monday
night by shooting himself in the head. He
was found at about 4:90 o'clock yesterday
morning by Albert Armel, a driver of one
of Bryce's bakery wagons, sitting in a
chair in front of his grocery store at 242
Oliver avenue, West Indianapolis. The po-
licemen who first investigated the case
were almost positive that a murder had
been committed, but the evidence is con-
elusive that Harris killed himself.
Harris was Familiarity known as Pap"
He kept a little store and eked out liYeli-
hood for himself. But he was fond of drink
and this fondness is indirectly responsible
for his act. Harris boarded with Mrs e. G.
Beck, at 240 Oliver avenue. She owns the
building in which Harris kept his store.
She had bill against Thomas c. Robinson,
who lives on Tenth street, and Saturday
Harris consented to collect it for her. He
came over the river and on the way and
while here had a few drinks, so that he
was somewhat under the influence of liquor
when he reached Robinson's house
The men had a dispute about the bill and
Harris was pushed against a balustrade in
the hallway of the house. A slight wound
was made on his head, and after wandering
about town he found his way to the Dis
pensary. His head was dressed and the
police notified. This resulted in the arrest
of Harris on charge of drunkenness Ex-
Lieutenant Governor Hanna went on his
bond in the sum of SIS and Harris was re-
leased. He failed to appear in court and
the bond was about to be forfeited Monday
when Mr.. Hanna and Harris arrived. Court
was about over, and the case was continued
until yesterday morning.
Mrs. f. C. Beck, with whom Harris
boarded, is confident that Harris killed
himself Monday night she left home and
went to her sisters house to spend the
night. She had heard Harris muttering
around the house about getting even
with some one, and had also heard Of his
attempt to purchase laudanum at neigh
boring drug store. Before she left she
found Harns's revolver in bureau on the
lower floor of her house Harris had evil
IDENTIFY brought it down from his room,
where 1t would be easy of access. She hid
It in another place Harris called twice
asked where his pistol had been placed.
Mrs. Beck refused to tell him, but told her
told her she might tell him If she wanted
to. She claims she did not tell him, but
believes he searched the house and found
it. 1t was his own pistol that killed him.
UPRIGHT IN THE CHAIR.
When found yesterday morning Harris
his store. Armel jumped off his wagon to
make a delivery of bread to one of the
boxes which bakeries have in front of all
stores where they sell bread.
The driver thought the grocer was asleep.
Upon finding that the man was dead Armel
aroused Mrs Beck's grandchildren and
then ran to the nearest telephone and sum-
moned the police and the coroner. bike
Cops Wallace and Holtz responded and
were at first convinced that murder had
been committed. Coroner BraytOn had the
body taken to Tutewilers morgue, and set
about investigating the case. He came to
the conclusion that Harris had died from
pistol shot wound, evidently inflicted by
himself
The friends of Harris think his mind was
affected by the injury he received in his
large wound in his head but the Dfspensary
physicians did not regard it as serious at
the time. His actions, however, bear out
the theory of his friends Mrs Beck says
he acted queerly about the house. He drank
a great deal, however and this may have
accounted for his strange conduct. Mon
day evening, between his visits to the
house of Mrs. Beck 5 sister, he went to
Ira II. Shakes drug store, at 125 Oliver
avenue, and asked for an ounce Of lauda-
mum. Mr.. Shake suspicioned his intention
and made an excuse saying that he was
just out of that particular drug.
Harris was a weil-known character both
in the city and suburb He was an old sol
der and member of the G. A r. Besides
he belonged TO several orders, including the
Masons, Odd Fellows and Red Men. He
came here a number of years ago from
Seymour. He formerly lived with his wife
at 132 Oliver avenue, which property he
his wife obtained a divorce and left the
city. She is now in California A son of
Harris S lives in Kansas. S. o. Harris of
sisters, who hive in Seymour. They are
Mrs Edward Donaldson and Mrs. John
Hawkins The body will be shipped to Sew
Nbrry.- dow for al