The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-10
WEAPON a BRANDING IRON.
CorOner's Observation-Disclosures Re-
fuses to Talk


Coroner Brayton was indefatigable in his
efforts to solve the mystery He said that
one blow was sufficient to end the woman S
life, and was probably struck while Mrs.
Moore slept. In his opinion she suffered
little or no pain of any duration, but the
presence of blood clots beneath the skin
indicates that death was not instantaneous.
Her position, moreover, was not natural
one, and she perhaps lived for a few min
utes, though probably unconscious.
The weapon of death was a branding iron
owned by De Ruiter, which had been about
the house for years. On the bulky end of
the iron were the letters I'D. r." indicating
the firm name of De Ruiter & Trusler. 1t
was used to brand such tools as shovels and
picks used in their business as contractors
On the point that this was the weapon both
the coroner and the police force are con-
WINGED, although the weapon stood in the
back hall unnotced for hours while the
search for clews was goiong on through the
house yesterday. When it was finally
brought to light the coroner took it in
charge, and by means of an expert exami-
nation of weapon and wound satisfied all
present that they need look no farther for
the implement of death.
DRESSING TO GO OUT.
Mrs. Moore's appearance indicated that
she had lain down in the midst of prepara-
tions for going out of doors Her hair was
tastily arranged, and her clothing indicated
throughout an unfinished toilet. Her death
would probably not have been known for
days had it not been for her father Henry
Post. in his story he said that when he
came rome Friday night he hardly expected
to find his daughter, so he ate his supper,
read his paper and then went to bed in his
room directly across the hall from the room
in which lay the dead body of his daughter
In the morning he got up feeling no con-
Germ, thinking, of course, that she was at
breakfast he wished to shave himself and
needing a small mirror which he knew hung
on the wall OF the spare room, he went to
get it. Without any misgivings he pushed
the door open, and at once his sight rested
on the figure of his daughter
At iirst ne stood stunned and seemed I'M
strength he sent for the coroner. In sneak
ing of the affair afterward he said he could
not comprehend 1t fully and would express
no suspicious. The domestic life of his
daughter he would not discuss in any way
POLICE HAVE THE LETTERS.
Superintendent of Police Quigley, acting
on the statement of De Ruiter regarding the
discriminating letters in Moore's possession
with regard to his wife's character. last
night sent a detective to Moore's home to
secure all the correspondence of the accused
and thus forestall any attempt of his law
yers to get it out of the way. Moore when
seen by a reporter, said that on the advice
of his attorneys-Messrs. Harding & Hovev
The must decline to discuss the case in any
OF its bearings. He takes his incarceration
phlosophtcally. and, aside from a nervous
pacing up and down the corridor of fine
dollhouse. betrays no sign of interest in The
matter which may cost him his life
RESULT OF AUTOPSY.
The body of Mrs. Moore was removed to
Kregelos undertaking establishment on
North Illinois street in the afternoon. C,oro-
ner Brayton ordered an autopsy, and at
O'clock 1t was held by Drs. Sluss. WIN,
and De Haas The examination showed
thai death was undoubtedly due to frac-
ture Of the skull The physicians concluded
the death blow must have been a fearful
one. In addition to the fracture. which ex-
tended around the base of the skull. there
was a depressed wound Just above the left
ear. about the size Of the end Of the thunb.
An examination of the dead woman,s stom-
ach revealed q quantity cf unGiRested food.