The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-01-01
Benton County OmciaI Carefully Pre-
pared Evidence 20 Make II Appear
He Had Been Murdered.
A LYNCHING At WATERLOO
MAY FOLLOW THE CAPTURE OF
WATCHMAN COX's MURDERER.
Impressive Ceremonies Attending the
Funeral of Father Corby, State
G. A. r.. Chaplain.
!peclal to the 1nalanapoIIs journal.

Special to the indianapolis Journal.
FOWLER, Ind, Dec. 3l.-The theory that
James Kirtley treasurer of Benton county,
who was found dead in his office from
pistol wounds Thursday night, was muir
dered, has been exploded by evidence pro-
duced before the coroner to-day which
went to show that it was unmistakably a
case OF suicide. The new revolver with
which the deed was done was positively
identified by John Bixler, Lafayette
dealer, as one which he had sold the dead
man on Christmas afternoon. This settled
the murder theory. The local physicians
also reasoned out plausible theory that
a man could shoot himself three times in
the head before losing control of his voli-
ton, but this has been the hardest point for
the people to accept. The coroner left the
case in mystery by rendering verdict that
from the circumstances surrounding the
case it is probably one of suicide. An ex-
animation of Treasurer Kirtley'S brain
showed that one bullet had gone directly
through the middle of the head between the
lobes of the brain, and that another bullet
which had been fired in the side of the head
had shattered the skull and punctured the
brain tissue while the third bullet had
made merely a scalp wound. This examina-
ton led the physicians to the theory that
the suicide had first fired the bullet which
went through the head longitudinally with
out destroying his powers of voEtion-
The doctors believe the second shot pro-
duced the scalp wound, while the third was
the fatal one above the temple. The coro-
ner in rendering his verdict stated that the
idea of suicide necessarily depended on the
correctness of this theory of the physicians.
The Identification of the newly purchased
81, frso
brought about by visit of Sheriff West
fall and Prosecuting Attorney Chizum to
Lafayette, where they called on Bixler In
search of some clew to the weapon. From
the description given by the officers Bixler
thought he had sold such a revolver and ac-
companied them back to Fowler to-day,
where he quickly identified the weapon. 1t
was one he had sold Kirtley on Christ
mas. Searching around in the Of
flee Bixler even found in the waste basket
the paper in which he had wrapped the wea-
pom. A box of cartridges with five missing
also bought of Bixler We're found hidden
away. There could no longer be any doubt
that Kirtley had killed himself He was not
a man of bad habits and he seemed to have
but few debts, and none here can under
stand what drove the man to take his life.
There are said to be number of judgments
against him, but so far as is now known
they are not for large amounts. The only
plausible reason that can be assigned for
his action is attributed TO difficulties that he
has had with two of his sons. When be
first took office he was compelled by his
bondsmen to make an agreement that
neither of these sons should be permitted 10
go into the office. His second term of office
was TO have begun tomorrow, but up to the
time of his death he had made
no efforts to furnish a new bondl
Mr. Kirtley was a of sensitive nature
and so far as is now known had failed to ask
any one to be his bondsman. The books Of
his office have been partially examined and
seen. to be correct. A further examination,
however, into the affairs of the office will
be undertaken by the County Commissions
ers, who will employ an accountant. The
commissioners will also appoint a successor
tomorrow Excitement has practically sub
sided since the coroner's verdict. The funeral
of the dead man will occur Sunday at IL
clock.