The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-09-09
The Mans Only Excuse for the Deed
Was the Alleged Inhdelity OF
Mrs. COpenhaver.
GAVE HIMSELF UP TO POLICE
THE YOUNG PEOPLE WERE MAR
RIED FOUR YEARS AGO.
Just Before She Was Shot the Woman
Held Her Infant to Her Breast
A Peculiar Crime.

Ora Copenhaver, twenty-five years DID,
shot his wife three times yesterday at II 80
o'clock in her parents home, sos North
Davidson street, and she died half an hour
later at the City Hospital. Copenhaver said
the reason for the murder was his wife's s
infidelity. After the shooting Copenhaver
walked to Schortemiers grocery, Noble and
New York streets, where he compelled lit
tie Willie Schortemier to call the police
When Bicycle Policemen Trimpe and Lowe
came riding by the grocery Copenhaver
coolly walked out of the grocery, and, hail
ing the police, said, Il guess I'm the man
you fellows want L just shot my wife,"
Doubling the mans word, although he
still held bright new pistol in one hand,
the police took Copenhaver back to the
house on Davidson street, where Mrs. Co.
penhaver was sitting in chair in the front
parlor bleeding from three wounds-one in
the stomach, one in the skull near the
right ear and the other in the right breast
Copenhaver looked at his victim as her life
blood ebbed away, and his eyes glistened
as though he were mad. Without speak
ing word he set his teeth together and
smiled sneeringly at the police. When Su-
perintendent Taffe and Acting Captain Glib
lin rode up to the house Copenhaver was
taken into the buggy and driven to the DO
lice station, where he was charged with
shooting with intent to kill. The city am
buance in charge of Drs. Lowry and Good
win, took the wounded woman to the City
Hospital, where she died ten minutes later.
The charge of murder was then placed
against Copenhaver.
COPENHAvER'S ATTITUDE.
Copenhaver would not talk much con-
cerning the affair except to say that he
shot his wife because she had been untrue
to him. On the way to the police station
he said he hoped he had killed her. While
Captain Giblin was holding Copenhaver ius,
prior to putting him in the buggy the man
whom he accused of associating with his
wife walked up to him and in a nervous
manner said: Ora, do you see what you
have done?" Copenhaver did not answer the
man, but turned and spat at him. The
police took the man away as Copenhayer
was already in an excited condition
The manner in which Copenhaver killed
his wife was a cruel one and showed that
his mind had been made up for some time
Mrs. Eta Taylor. a sister of the dead
woman, in talking OF the affair, said Co.
| penhaver had been unjustly jealous of his
| wears ago. She said he had on several oc.
casions threatened to kill her Mrs. Tay.
| Ior said that yesterday morning abou,
| go o'clock while she was getting the
| table ready for dinner she saw CopenhayeI
| come through the kitchen and walk into
| the front of the house. Her mother, Mrs
| Jessie Ferguson. seeing Copenhaver, told
Mrs Taylor TO watch him. The girl SAID
| she followed Copenhaver into the parlol
| and saw him approach his wife In a cheer.
/ full manner. Mrs. copenhaver was sitting
| in a rocking chair in hall leading Il
| the front door. Copenhaver pulled a chail