The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1907-07-19
Grand Jury in Session and In
dictment of Fisher Is
Expected Speedily.
HAS THREATENED SUICIDE.
LETTERS WRITTEN BY FISHER
TO HIS WIFE SHOW THAT HE
HAD CONTEMPLATED ENDING
HIS LIFE.

This morning in the city court Lon
Fisher, colored, who shot his wire 10
death last Saturday evening, was ar
raigned on a charge of murder. At
torney P. j. Freeman who appeared for
Fisher. entered plea of not guilty and
waived preliminary hearing. Fisher
was then bound over to the circuit
court without bond.
Prosecutor Jessup decided TO have
Fisher arraigned at once for murder
so that he could qualify to appear be-
fore the grano jury, which is now IN
session. and challenge any of them in
case he thought they would be preju-
diced against him, and would not in
yestigate his case in fair and impair
/ tial manner Tuesday Fisher was ar
raigned on a charge of assault and bat
terry with intent to commit murder,
but the death of his wife "Wednesday
night made it necessary TO change the
charge to that OF murder in the first
degree.
Fisher walked to and from the coun-
ty Jail and the city building handcuff-
ed to Sergeant McManus. The young
murderer looked in better health and
spirits than he has any time since his
arrest. His nervousness was gone and
he took a keen interest in all the pro
ceedings. Attorney Freeman saw nis
client in the court room for the first
time since his arrest. How are you
feeling. Lonnie?" asked Mr.. Freeman
"All right" Fisher replied cheerfully
II is probable that the grand jury viii
return an indictment against Fisher
by Saturday.
Has Threatened Suicide.
Will Fisher face the bar Of justice fol
the murder of his wife Mary? Thii
question is considered seriously b,
some people who know Fisher anc
have read his communications sent te
his wife during his recent confinement
in Jail for insulting white woman q
the corner of Eighth and Main streets
The-letters are now in the hands of ;
we'll known business man of Richmond
and they show that Fisher contemplat
ed killing himself if his wife's attitude
toward him was not changed. and IL Il
the opinion Of those who know Fishei
and have read these letters. that h
will commit suicide at the earliest op
portunity rather than face the cour
for the murder of his wife and taxi
lchances on getting hung or sent t.
prison for life. the two sentences pos
sible if he faces the court.
In the letters written to his wife h
SAYS that he heard of her actions witt
other colored men and begged an
pleaded with her not to desert him an
leave him suffering in Jail He sai'
he loved her and wanted her to &C
square while he was confined an
stated that he was worrying himself Z
death over her actions He said II
one of his letters:
Il think you have forsaken me an
I wish / was dead and all you have Z
do is to keep worrying me more and
expect I VIII be found hanging in m.
cell some morning. for I have though
of doing II time and time again
Owing to Fishers reported actions Il
jail at the present time. brooding th
most of the time. It is feared he vii
do himself bodily harm since he ha
, learned that his wife is dead from tn
wounds received from his -owna hands,