The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-10-13
Suspicious Indiana Folks Idea
of Farmer Pruitt.
Three Wives Thought to Have
Been His Victims.
POISON AND SHOOTING.
Claimed All We're Simply Cases
of Accidents.
After Murder Of Last Spouse
Ended His Own Existence.

Indianapolis, Ind, Oct. 12-Pleasant
Pruitt. the retired farmer who killed his
wife with a hammer last night and then
ended his own life with revolver, was
a modern Bluebeard. His victims were
his three wives. Until a few years ago
Pruitt was a wealthy and prominent
farmer near Edinburg, Ind. He was a
member of an old and Well-to-do fam
lily, a man of more than ordinary intel
Hgence, and was considered a good
member of society. When young man
Pruitt courted and won Miss Van Meter,
Of RushvilIe. Four children were born
to them-Alice, Leslie, Ethel and Clyde,
all of whom are now living in Indian
apolis. In 1888 Mrs. Pruitt died of
poison. The whole community about
Edinburg was shocked. but there was
not a hand of suspicion directed at
Pruitt. His apparent upright life was
the one fact that frustrated an inVesti-
cation Many wondered if the woman s
death was the result of an accident, but
no one made an effort to solve the ele-
ment of mystery which surrounded the
case. Pruitt continued living in the
neighborhood of Edinburg, well thought
of and respected
A year or two later Pruitt met and
married Miss Naomi Huffman, and
everything seemed to prosper about the
Pruitt home. In 1896 the community
was again shocked by hearing that Mrs.
Pruitt had been accidentally shot and
killed by her husband. 1t was then peO-
pie began to recall the mysterious cir
cumstances surrounding the death of
Pruitt's first wife. The farmer appeared
grieyed at the shooting of Mrs. Pruitt
explaining that he was cleaning and
loading his shotgun in the rear of his
home when the weap pom was accidentally
discharged. Mrs. Pruitt was standing
inside of a latticed summer kitchen,
and the load of shot killed her instantly.
Pruitt's neighbors, however, would not
accept his explanation of the shooting
as true.s and demanded an investiga-
ton. This resulted in Pruitt's arrest.
No motive could be shown why Pruitt
should want to kill his wife. The jury
which tried the farmer considered the
evidence that the couple had lived hap
PLY together The death of both wives
under such suspicious circumstances
was thought to be a strange coincidence
The result of the trial was that Pruitt
was turned loose, but the litigation had
cost him much of his wealth He trav-
cleo extensively for a time. and about
three years ago he married his third
Wife, Miss Berry. in Iowa City. Two
years ago the couple came to this city
and located on East Ohio street
Prultt's money dwindled away until hi
was penniless and his wife came to his
assistance She converted their home into
boarding house and did a prosperou:
business. Pruitt worked little if any bur
he grew morose and melancholy, however
and was soon finding fault with the man.
agement of the house His bad disposition
caused boarders to leave, and this started
quarrel with his wife Without intimat
ing that his feeiingssfor her had changed
Pruitt planned the womans murder anC
deliberately beat her to DEATH besides
plunging a dagger into her heart. TIL,
police investigation shows that he left hi.
wife dead in the basement of their home
with the probable intention of trying t
escape He returned, however and ended
his own existence by sending a bullet int
his BRAIN He fell at her side. The woman
lay on her side with her arms outstretchet
as though in suppHeation. Several hour:
later the bodies were found by Mrs
Fruits son. Jesse Berry. Mrs. Pruitt wa.
a pretty woman, AZ years old. Pruit
was co.