The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-10-09
Fires Four Bullets Into the BODY Of
the COIored Man, Who Was Re-
sfsting Arrest.
AFFAIR CAUSES EXCITEMENT
NEGRO Is ALLEGED TO HAVE HELD
UP A HORSE JOCKEY.
Was Trying to Escape When His
"Pal" Drew n Revolver on the Off,
Ger, and the Shooting Followed.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal
ANDERSON, Ind, Oct. Slate this after
noon Capt. Lige Finnell, of the police force.
shot and fatally wounded James Mormon, a
negro. Mormon was taken to the hospital,
being detained at police headquarters sew
eral minutes while DR.. Newlin made an ex-
animation Of his wounds. 1t was found that
the negro was shot through and through
One bullet struck him in the right breast
and passed near the heart, coming out at his
back. Another bullet penetrated the right
breast and lodged In the back Another
shattered Mormon's arm, and yet another
took piece from his left thumb. Blood
poured from the wounds while the man sat
on bench at police headquarters. Nor
mon moaned that he was dying. He was
raised to a sitting position, and the blood
gushed inwardly. He cried to be placed in
a leaning position again, and he remained
with his head buried in his hands until re-
moved to St. Johns Hospital.
An early account of the shooting received
by Chief Robbins is that Captain Finnell
ran across the negro on the Big Four rail-
road, where he had held a man up and
robbed him. Mormon is about thirty-five
years old, and 1t is said he came to Ander-
son a few weeks ago from Cloverport, Ky.
He had been boarding with Frank Hill. of
220f Madison avenue, and worked at odd
jobs.
Newton Burke, who brought the injured
man to police headquarters, said he was
driving south on Meridian street. near
Twenty-third He noticed Captain FinnelI
walking in the center of the street, leading
his bicycle. Two negroes were on the in
side of the pavement, but if anything was
being said Mr.. Burke could not hear il.
The first thing that attracted his attention
was fusillade of shots. Captain Finnell
and one of the negroes had grappled The
officer had his weapon raised aud was pull
ing the trigger The first shot went over the
negro's shoulder and the others entered
his body. The two men then separated and
the negroes started to run across the COM
mons. Mr.. Burke started after them full
tilt In his buggy. After running about
three squares the wounded man fell Nor
mon was brought to headquarters by Burke
i'm his buggy.
Mormon and another negro whose name is
not yet known had been lounging about
town all day. Shortly after noon they were
seen at a hotel, where they held up
George Tate. a race-horse jockey for 81
Tate reported his losr to the police. Then
Mormon and his partner tried to leave town.
They jumped on Big Four freight train,
but were booted off and started to walk
west across the southern suburbs of the
city. At Meridian street they encountered
Captain Fnnell. The latter arrived at DO
lice headquarters two hours after the shoot
ing having had hard chase after Nor
mons pal who succeeded in getting away.
According to the officer he and Patrolman
Brown heard of the hold-up. Brown and
F'innell saw the negroes they were kicked
off Big Four train. Finnel who was of
duty. borrowed Browns revolver and went
after the negroes. He caught them and
was holding one when Mormon drew a re-
volver and pointed IL in his face 1t was
then the shooting occurred. The affair has
created great excitement among the colored
people here. but the conservative negroes
are acting wisely. Mormon's pal has not
been captured. 1t was he who shot at Officer
Finnell.