The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-11-30
Hooper Not Sorry He Killed Marshal
Slim" Payne, Who, He Asserts,
Fired the First Shot.
FRANKLY ADMITTED HIS CRIME
AND SAID 1T WAS COMMITTED
PURELY IN sELF-DEFENsE.
Part of His Right Thumb Shot Away
by Mf1Iard Tximes When He Was
Leaving FairmOunt.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal
PARAMOUNT, Ind, Nov. 29.-Harry
Hooper. the murderer of Marshal James
Payne. was arrested at Tiffin, o., this
morning. Hooper offered no resistance and
was quietly taken into custody by Chief of
Police James Phillips and two subordinates.
This morning weary. bedraggled-looking
man was found in the Ohio town. He had
a hunted look in his eyes. as il fearing to
be seen. His appearance attracted atten-
ton and the police were notified that he
seemed to be a suspicious character. Chief
of Police Phillips looked at him.
you are Harry Hooper" said the chief.
Yes. that's me-" replied the man.
We'll want you." and the chief led him
to the police station without a struggle.
You are charged with the murder of
Marshal Payne. at Fairmount, Ind.," said
the chief. when the prisoner was safe in the
station.
'T shot him in self-defense." replied
Hooper. Then he declined to say anything
more for few minutes.
Hooper's thumb was badly swollen He
had been wounded while he was escaping
from this place. Willard Kimes. who pur-
sued Hooper. fired one charge of bird shot
at the fugitive just he crossing the
Big Four tracks on East Sixth street. The
charge tore off a portion of Hooper's right
thumb and cut out piece of one of the
legs OF his trousers.
Hooper was asked how he received his
wound, and he replied that somebody at
tempted to kill him as he was leaving Fair
mount.
CLAIMS SELF-DEFENSE.
To the chief of police of Tiffin Hooper
later said. in reply to further questions:
Yes. am the MAJ that shot Jim Payne
/ shot him in self-defense. He fired the
first shot. and then was compelled to save
my life. My escape from Grant county was
easy. I made most of the distance to Tiffn
on foot. No person suspected me until
arrived here. When 1 reached Springfield
/ got on Big Four train. and when
arrived here my arrest soon followed.
had no weapons. and. of course, there was
no sense in offering resistance when you
fellows pulled your guns. am wounded in
the thumb. but am glad 1t is no worse.
have no regret for killing Payne. as it was
an act OF self-defense. 1 will not return to
Indiana without a requisition."
Sheriff Clark Mills, of Marion, asked the
Governor for requisition papers to-day and
win go to Tiffin for Hooper tomorrow
AuoEHlu8. ne muIueTeT Will De cC0Ibleu III
the Marion Jail pending his trial.
The people here are elated over the cap
ture Of Hooper and hope for his speedy
punishment There is danger of mob
violence.
HOOPER SUFFERING.
Your correspondent talked with the chief
OF police at Tiffin by long distance phone,
and the chief said there was no dramatic
feature connected with the arrest. Hooper
appeared to be badly crippled with rheuma-
tism and was suffering from exposure to
the cold. When informed tonight that he
would be brought back to Indiana to-mor-
row he said he would make vigorous fight
for his life on the ground of self-defense.
1t Is said tonight. at Tifdn, that Red
Hooper. he has been named went there
to give himself I'D. He told one man that
he did not know his bullet had killed Mar
shall Payne until he was arrested. Hooper
lived In Tiffin six years ago and 1t is be-
lieved that instead of desiring to surrender
he went there to secure money to continue
his fight. His brother visited him in jai
tonight and he told him he was deter
mined not to be sent back to the Indiana
penitentiary. which. he believed. would BE-
the case IL he was captured.
Chief of Police Phillips said tonight by
phone, that Hooper was very much down.
hearted and that he saw no hope OF escap.
ing the gallows, although still declaring ht
shot Payne in self-defense.
II was Just seventy-two hours from tn,
time the murder was committed unit
Hooper was arrested.