The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-10-31
Prominent Citizen of Columbus Pur-
sued and Shot Dead by John Smith,
an Exasperated COachman.
ANOTHER MAN WOUNDED
STRUCK by A STRAY BULLET FROM
THE MURDERER's REVOLVER.
Ide Alleged to Have Owed Money tt
Smith-BurgIar Shoots His "PaI'
and GrOceryman.

COLUMBUS, TO-, Oct. 30.-William S. Ide
was shot and killed to-day in the court
house by John Smith. Ide was a banker
and brother of Commander Ide, of the
United States navy. Smith was arrested.
He is a coaehmap, sixty-ive years of age,
who has worked for William A. Neil eleven
years. Smith says Ide owed him ST. 700
Ide's extensive property is in the hands of
receiver. Smith says he asked Ide for
the money, and fde said he would pay when
he got ready, and attempted to pass into
the courthouse Smith shot him in the side,
Ide falling dead in the auditors office.
Smith says he was sane and sober, but ex-
asperated He served in the Confederate
army, and says he was an orderly for Gen.
Braxton Bragg. He was born in County
Monaghan, Ireland.
The tragedy occurred so quickly that the
score or more of persons near the scene
scarcely realized what had happened until
it was all over. Witnesses state that the
first they saw was the form of Mr.. Ide
at the north entrance. of the courthouse.
He was being followed by an excited in
dividual, who was rapidly emptying the
contents of a revolver towards the retreat
ing banker. Mr.. Ide continued retreating
until the door Of the auditors office, where
he fell dead AS soon as he saw that his
victim had fallen to the floor the assailant
turned about and disappeared through the
outside entrance The same instant County
Auditor Halliday and others in the office,
being attracted by the shots, hurried to the
scene. Mr.. Halliday passed the PROSTATE
form of Mr. Ide and FASTENED after the
murderer. A policeman captured Smith,
but not until after Smith had made des-
perate effort to put ball through his own
brain. The man made little resistance when
he found that his attempt to add suicide to
the tragedy had failed, and was hurriedly
taken to the police station.
Scarcely had the Incident transpired when
it was discovered that Michael Ward, who
resides at No So West Mound street, had
also been shot. He happened to be standing
just inside the courthouse when the trag-
edy occurred, and was wounded in the back
by one of the bullets from the murderers
pistol. He was quickly removed to his
home. The body of Mr.. Ide was carried
into the private office of the county auditor,
where it was laid. on the floor to await the
arrival of the friends and family of the dead
banker, and the body was afterward re-
moved to the home, No. 667 East Town
street
TloOdply no codcnHan IN the city was
better known than Smith. For some time
he was in the employ of Dr. X. N Kinsman.
later acted in a similar capacity for the late
NJ. M. Green, of the Hooking Valley road
and in more recent years had charge of the
stable of William A. Neil. Since he left the
employ of the latter. Smith has not been
engaged in any regular service, being aecus-
toned to do whatever odd jobs he could
IND. Smith says he told Ide if he did not
pay him he (Smith) would have to go to
tie poorhouse. He had been discharged by
DIS last employer on account of old age.