The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-06-08
HOOVER'S LIFE AT STAKE
TRIAL OF MURDERER BEGINS IN
CRIMINAL COURT TODAY.


The trial of Edward Hoover, who is
charged with the murder of his father-in-
law, Frank Sutton, will commence in the
Criminal Court this morning and will prob
ably last half the week. A special venire
of forty men has been drawn from which
to select a jury. Hoover has been in Jail
since his crime was committed, several
months ago. He is about twenty-eight or
thirty years of age.
Hoover killed his father-in-law on West
Maryland street and makes the claim that
he did 1t in self-defense. Hoover and the
Suttons formerly lived at Hortonville; a
village near Sheridan. Hoover was married
to Gertrude Sutton about four years ago.
Her father was a farmer and Hoover lived
on the farm with her father. Hoover and
his wife afterward lived in a number of
localities before coming to indianapolis.
The state will try to show that Hoover
not kind to his wife and that he abused
her. The Sutton family moved to Indian
apolis and Sutton took service on Showers
farm, near the city. He employed Hoover
to work with him on the farm. but the lat
ter did not perform satisfactory service and
dismissed by Shower. The latter has
stated that Hoover was dismissed because
he would not perform his work according
to the way his employers wanted it done.
1t is said that Hoover blamed Sutton for
his dismissal 1t is said that he complained
to his wife against her father and declared
that Sutton was likely Ito get his block
knocked on.
ILL TREATMENT ALLEGED.
A week or two before the killing. Mrs.
Hoover left her husband on account of
alleged i'll treatment and went to live with
her father on the farm. 1t is said that
when Hoover went to see Sutton and asked
him to have Mrs. Hoover come back. SUIT
ton said his daughter was of age and could
do as she pleased, but If he were in her
place he would not go back. Hoover went
away and was out of the city for time In
the meantime Sutton went to the house
where his daughter had lived, on West
Maryland street, and brought away a
wagonload of household goods. According
to the States theory 1t seemed to be the
understanding that Sutton was to take the
household goods of the Hoovers to the
farm, where Mrs. Hoover was staying
After being away from town for a few
DAYS Hoover returned to the city and
turned up at the house where he and his
wife had lived early one morning and
found his father-in-law there moving away
household goods. 1t is claimed that Hoov-
er had decided to go to the Shower farm
and had gone 10 store and bought a
pistol and box of cartridges. He and SUIT
ton got into dispute about the goods
Hoover declaring that part had belonged
to his mother and that Sutton could not
have ii. In the argument that followed
Sutton was shot and killed. Hoover
escaped arrest at the time, but was cap.
tured day or two later. In Police Court
he made the statement that his father-in-
law came at him with a knife and that he
shot him in self-defense.
Judge Afford appointed Attorney Frank
Hendricks to assist in the defense OF
Hoover and he and Charles McGroarity
attorney for the poor, will conduct the
case. 1t is said the defense will either be
that Hoover killed Sutton while insane OIL
that he killed him in self-defense. If the
insanity plea is made the State will try tC
show that Hoover is not demented. 1t is
stated that one strong argument agains,
the insanity theory is that Hoover recent
ly lost s. in game of cards at the jail and
promptly went to the sheriff and
ssouealed" The State will contend that
If Hoover knew enough to seek TO recover
money lost in gambling his mind is toler.
ably clear