The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-04-16
DEATH OF RUFUS WRIGHT
MILLIONAIRE WHO WAS SHOT IN A
SCUFFLE WITH A WOMAN.
Died with Words Of ExculpatiOn on
His Lips for Mrs. LOttridge-
The Latter's Statement.

CHICAGO, April 15.-Rufus Wright. the
millionaire manufacturer of rubber tires,
who was shot during a scuffie for the pos
session of a revolver in the apartments Of
Mrs. Louisa Lottridge, at the Leland
Hotel, died to-day from the effects of the
wound. The body of the millionaire is now
at the undertakers rooms, where an in
quest will be held tomorrow. 1t is the
opinion of the police that the coroners
investigation will mark the close of the
sensational case A statement of the de-
ceased to Chief of Detectives Colleran that
the shooting was accidental will. 1t is
thought, clear Mrs. Lottridge of all re-
sponsibility. Wright died with words of
excupation on his lips for the woman
whose revolver was responsible for his
death. He persisted in saying that the
woman was not to blame for his condition
and that he had the revolver in his hand
when II was discharged.
-Wright'sN son-in-law and partner.
Fred Morgan, was at his side at death.
Mr.. Morgan held that his father-in-law
was on an errand to help a friend who
had become entangled with the woman,
when he received his death wound.
dence, Chief of Detectives Colleran strong
ly believes that the weapon was not in the
hand of Wright when 1t was discharged.
A careful examination OF the position of
the wound, he says, will show that 1t
would be impossible for Wright to have
held the weapon in his hand. Captain
Colleran says also that Mrs. Lottridge said
she could not remember whether the weap-
on was in her hand or in Wright's. He
also cites the fact that Wrights beard
Is not singed as it would have been If
weapon had been discharged close to
his head; his face is not marked with
powder; in fact, Captain Colleran says
there is nothing to show that he held
revolver close to his face.
Mrs. Lottridge, in a statement made at
the police station, said: 'I cannot remem-
ber what led up to the production of the
revolver. L was talking to Mr.. Wright,
when he asked me to show him revolver
of which he had spoken previously. 1 re-
fused to do so, and we talked on other
matters for a while. 1 remember that, final
ly, went to my valise and took out my
weapon and when he saw it Mr.. Wright
begged me to throw IL away. AS remem-
Der, he tried to take the weapon from my
hand and we scuffed 1 stood UP and he
was sitting on the couch. had hold of the
weapon, when, with a sudden effort, he
tore the revolver from my grasp. He fell
backward and followed him. 1 managed
to get hold of the butt of the weapon, he
holding to the guard. As struggled the
weapon was discharged, and, bad as felt
from the liquor I had drunk. / could not
help crying out in horror when L he
was wounded. He fell back on the sofa and
gasped he was all right He then insisted he
had been wounded and begged me to call
a doctor. told him he was dreaming and
then set about caring for him. 1 took a
handkerchief from his pocket and at
tempted to stop the flow of blood from his
neck where the ball had entered. / saw at
a glance that the revolver had done deadly
work, but could not bring myself to tell
any one of the occurrence. I waited on Mr.
Wright for two hours. possibly, before
summoned a doctor. / was so overcome
that 1 could not talk, and may have said
things that / ought not to have said. but
the pressure / was laboring under was the
cause for my actions. The story that Mr.
Wright came to my room In the interest of
a friend is false. He came to see me at my
request. He had known me long enough to
come at my least call. He was in good
spirits when he entered the room We
drank together and talked OF matters which
concerned ourselves. We had a pleasant
conversation until the revolver was intro
duced by chance and the struggle which
ended in his death"