The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-09-21
HELD FOR MURDER.
COrOner's Jury Says Steinrauff
Killed Sally Lewis.
Murderer May Live But Few
Hours More.
EVIDENCE CONFLICTS.
witnesses Do Not Agree About
the Shooting.
Possible That WOman's Son
Shot Steinrauff.
VIDENCE CONFLICTS.

Inc inquest to inquire into the
death of Sally Lewis, who died at
heith's hospital Friday, was held at
Stonestreet & Hamilton's undertaking
establishment this morning. and after
nearing the testimony of half a dozen
witnesses, no two of them testifyfng
10 anything like the same circum-
stances, the jury found the following
verdict:
we find that Sally Lewis came to
nsE death by a gunshot wound in the
9ouoinen. from a gun in the hands of
John Steinrauff. We further find that
tne shooting was Undesirable and
that the said John Steinrauff should
gree
Three witnesses saw all or part of
the shooting ARRAY, and were in the
mouse at the time, but they did not
agree in any particular. Porter Moore
son OF the woman who was murdered
teStlhed that his mother man
named Dick Vanderheyden, Dick Cum
bingham, Jack Steinrauff and himself
were all in the room, when Steinraun
drew revolver and seemed intent
upon shooting some one. He thought
that the gun was directed at Wander
heyden,-the man whose name was
given as Van Horn in former accounts
of the affair,-and that Vanderhevden
seized Steinrauff by the wrists. Then
men, and was pushing Vanderheyden
out of the room when he heard a shot,
and ran from the room.
The Cunningham boy told the police
a long story about knocking the gun
from Steinrauff's hand with a heer
bottle. but he denied this on the stand.
and said that he ran from the room
and off the premises at the sound of
the first shot
Vanderheyden testified that he
or w n6 md he FOL
rauff drew the gun, and did not see the
shooting for that reason. He also tes-
titled that four shots were fired, while
the other witnesses declare that but
three shots were discharged. In this
particular his story Is corroberated by
the investigation made by Coroner
Keith and the officers. The revolver,
3S calibre Smith & Wesson, with which
to contain two loaded cartridges and
three empty shells. These account for
three shots, but the mystery hinges on
the fact that two bullets were found
in the body of Sally Lewis. one in
Steinrauff's head. and a fourth on the
floor near the door between the two
rooms. This bullet had been fired
through the woodwork, and had fallen
on the other side, fiattened by the i'm
pact. This fourth shot shows conclus-
lively that some one other than Stein
rauff took part in the shooting scrape.
Although it is denied by all the wit
neSSeS, the OrncerS entertain theory
that Steinrauff did not shoot himself,
but that he shot the woman twice,
missed her and struck the door with
the third shot, and was in turn shot
in the head by Porter Moore, the son,
in the way of retributive justice for the
shooting of his mother. Steinrauff's
hair was not powder burned where the
bullet entered his ear. showing that the
shot was not fired at the range an
attempted suicide would indicate. This
theory is further complicated by the
maudlin talk of Steinrauff after the Of
f1cers reached him. Chief of Police
Eaton asked him, who shot you,
Jack?" and he replied, Il did, of
course"
Since he was taken to the hospital,
Steinrauff has been unable to talk CO.
herently. and has made no further
statements.
The jury which heard the testimony
and rendered the verdict was compos-
ed of the following: John F. Carter,
Robert Miller, w. w. Wiley, Paul Jones
and John Benning.
Steinrauff is still living. but is not ex-
pected to survive more than a few
hours longer.