The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-05-16
STABBED MAN TO DEATH
WITH AN UMBRELLA, AND
MUST ANSWER IN COURT
Louis Roth, Who Killed Charles
Keeler at Boonville, to Be
Tried This Week.
STORY OF STRANGE CRIME
Staying of Young Man Marked
by Most Unusual Features
in Criminal Annals.
STORY OF STRANGE CRIME
Special to the Indianapolis Journal.

Speclal 10 the indianapolis journal.
BOONVILLE, Ind, May 15.-Charged
with manslaughter for having slain Charles
Keeler. using an umbrella for his weapon.
Louis Roth, prominent young farmer OF
this county. will be arraigned in court at
this city next Thursday as defendant in
one of the most unusual murder trials in
the criminal annals of the State.
Roth is a member of a highly respected
family. as was Keller. his victim. Despite
the fact that public sentiment is greatly in
favor of Roth, who is the main support of
a widowed mother, the bids fair TO
result in a spirited legal battle, and the
best legal talent of southern Indiana has
been secured to defend the youthful slayer.
Holiday and Hemenway, Congressman
from the First district, will appear for
Roth, while the State will be represented
by Union w. Youngblood and Marshall
Tweedy.
The story of the killing of Keller is with
a parallel in this country But one
case, it Is believed, Is on record where
man has been slain by an umbrella in the
hands of his assailant, and this murder
was committed on the streets of Paris,
France. several years ago.
Roth and Keller were entire strangers
and had never met until the night when
Keller was stabbed in the ear with the
point of Roth's umbrella while, it is
claimed, Keeler was attempting to assault
young Roth.
keeler was struck down in the streets of
Boonville after the close of a performance
in Matheysons opera house on the night of
Jan. IL. Back of the killing of the young
t.. g AZ.
livities of the small boy. Keeler died in
taking up the quarrels of his nephew, Ray
Keller. aged twelve years. Roth contends
that he killed Keeler unintentionally. and
that the fatal thrust was delivered in self
defense The stories of eye-witnesses of
the fight and the events leading up to it
tend to substantiate Roth's claim.
On the night of Jan. II, Louis Roth, in
company with Andrew Haas, who lived
near the Roth home, east of this city,
came to Boonvile to witness a perform
ance in the local opera house. At Boom
vile they met young Roth's brother, Will
liam Roth, who Is employed as a clerk in
a store at this city. Contrary to his
brothers desires Louis Roth insisted on
taking seats in the gallery when they en-
tered the theater because he did not believe
he would appear to advantage in a more
prominent seat Between the acts a crowd
of boys in the gallery noticed the two
young men who apparently were strangers,
and Roth and Haas at once became targets
for their jeers. The tormenting tactics of
young Keeler and his companions were con-
tinued the crowd was passing from the
building at the close of the performance.
While he was being jostled on the stair
sters leading TO the exit Roth. ii is said,
demonstrated with his tormentors, but was
greeted with threats of violence. After
they regained the sidewalk the three young
men fastened toward on alley. where Louis
Roth and Haas had left their horses after
riding into town.
They had not proceeded far when they
were again accosted by the Keeler boy and
some of his companions. Roy Keele8 it is
CONTINUED ON PAGE s. COL. 81