The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-01-22
C0ACHMAN WAS in LOVE
WIN. f. WREN FOUND WITH THREE
BULLET HOLES IN HIS BODY.
He Was Employed by Frank NJ. MUIR
ply and Committed Suicide Because
He Had Been Tilted.

When Frank NJ. Murphy, living at PIC
East Thirteenth street, went to his stable
yesterday morning at 8 o'clock and opened
the doors he found the lfeless body of his
coachman, William E. Wren. Near Wren's
right hand lay a .32-caliber revolver. In his
body were three bullet wounds that had
been self-inflicted. One bullet penetrated
the right eye, another was DETECTED by the
skull above the eye and the third almost
penetrated his heart.
Coroner Tutewiler said last night there
was no doubt Wren's death was caused by
himself An investigation by the coroner
and the police was made, however, during
the day on the theory that Wren had met
with foul play. This theory was dssipated
later in the day by a thorough investiga-
ton. Wren's reason for committing the
deed is thought to have been an unsuccess-
full love affair, followed by a week of hard
drinking
Mr.. Murphy went to his stable Tuesday
night at o'clock in search of Wren, but
could not locate him. He was cognizant
of Wren's habits and thought that he might
not be attending to his duty. Failing to
find Wren he went again to the stable yes
terday morning. He knocked on the door.
and, receiving no answer, broke ii open.
After passing through the stable he entered
the living rooms occupied by Wren. On
the floor lay the body of Wren in pool of
blood. Nothing about the room had been
touched except the bed The covers had
been thrown back, indicating that Wren
had risen from the bed and killed himself
while standing in the middle of the room.
dash of blood marred the whteness of
the pillows. A coal oil lamp attached to
the wall was yet burning.
IN LOVE WITH THE COOK
Mr. N,rphv cold that Wrap bad hoa, u,
love with Margaret Watkinson, who for
merly worked for him as cook For time
Wren and the woman were on good terms,
but a quarrel took place and Wren threat
ened to leave Mr.. Murphys home. The
girl, however. left and went to her home in
Kokomo. Wren could not be consoled over
the loss of the girls friendship and began
drinking. To Mr.. Murphy he said that he
his troubles; He brooded constantly over
the girl, and il is thought that he took his
life because of her desertion.
Coroner Tutewiler yesterday located Mar
garet Watkinson at the home of Hugh
Richards, 1924 North Alabama street She
said Wren had prosecuted her with his at
tentions and had followed her to Kokomo
when she had gone there TO avoid him. She
| said Wren had told her he was footpad
and had a pal whom he had secreted in
| Mr.. Murphy's barn for two weeks, carry
| by the finding of baskets containing bread
| in Wrens quarters. The girl, while sorry
| seemed also TO be relieved when told OF
| Wren's death. After the girl had told this
| story the dead man was photographed and
Bertillon measurements taken.
When the police and coroner yesterday
took x up the work of of i1 tS Wrens
| der marks on his face where the bullets
entered the head. A discoloration on the
forehead above the right eye was not
4 ~ht of first 70 h0x hnn L.
| powder burns. The color had a grayisf
4 tint and looked much like a bruse caused
by blunt instrument. There were un
| mistakable powder burns on Wren's vest
near where the bullet entered the body
| however.
When found Wren was partially dressed
He had gone to bed with his shoes on. He
wore his trousers and vest. 1t is the sup
| position of the police that Wren fired the
| first bullet while lying in bed. 1t Is thought
that he went to his room while intoxicated
| and decided on the deed. From the blood
| spot on the linen il is thought Wren was
| lying on his right side when he fired the
shot. This ball entered the head above the
| right eye, passing out near the top of the
| forehead. The bullet lodged against tn,
| wall and fell TO the floor. Wren then APP
parently arose from the bed and fired an
| other bullet into his body, which also failed
| to end his life. He next shot himself
| through the right eye, and this was un
| doubtedly the wound that caused death
| When found he was about two feet from
| the side of the bed.
| An autopsy held last night showed con
| clusively that Wren had committed suicide
and the coroner's verdict will be to tha
| effect. 1t is thought he fired the shot:
| Tuesday evening about $50 o'clock a sta
bleman next door reporting that he haC
| heard shots at that hour. Coroner Tute
| wiler last night received telegram from
the marshal of Normal, Ill., asking that tn,
| body be shipped there.
| The body removed from Mr.. Muir
| phys stable to the morgue at Coroner Tute
wier's establishment. Wren was formerl,
| in the navy and served eighteen months i,
| the Philippines. He entered Mr.. Murphy
employ about one year ago. He has rela
tives living in Normal Ill. He was twenty
| nine years old