The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-06-04
Evidence Shows That Suicide
 Did Not Occur
BULLET HOLE SUSPICIOUS
Aged Physician Is Found Dead With Wound on Left Side of Face, But He Was Crippled in
 the Left Hand.

Chicago, June 3.-Evidence support ing the theory that Dr. John T. Blink ley, sr., of Evansville. Ind. met his death at the Wellington hotel here yesterday at the hands of a robber was adduced at the coroner's inquest to- day. The evidence presented does not fiatly disprove, but materially weakens the suicide hypothesis. Briefly stated, the testimony showed that Dr. Binkley was s2 years old, a lover of his fam fly and of the church-the Presbyter- rheumatism his health was good, his spirits were high at the prospect of a family reunion. Suicide seemed the furth crest tn fought from his mind.
 With other members of his family he came to Chicago yesterday and re- mained in his room while the others went on a shopping tour. When his daughter, Mrs. George Upchurch, re- turned about D. m. with her daugh- ter Elinor, they found the shades drawn and the old physician apparently asleep in an easy chair. The flood of light let in by raising the curtains disclosed his blood stained face. He sat with his right hand nearest to the bed which was aeout a foot away. The pistol lay on the bed with one chamber empty Tie bullet, however, had entered his left cheek and lodged in his hrain inflicting wound from 1 which it is said death mus have been instanteous.
 His coat and vest were found open and tho wallet which he habitually carried in an inside pocket was miss ing, as was his wa tch. A small sum- s2.41. was found on the dresser in the room. His valise, in which he carried few medical and tailet articles, and which had been on his knee when his daughter left him to go shopping, was l found in a public toilet room 20 yards from the room, and of the existence nf Shich the deceased Is said to have
 in isnoranee. his eRr roon being provided with similar facilities.
 1 The door of the room was not locked. Dr. John T. Binkley, Jr., a son of the l Evansville doctor, testified that death l had taken place half an hour or 10 min utes before the return of Mrs. Upchurch and her daughter The coroner's physi- elan, pr. Joseph Springer, testified that. contrary to current reports, he had folnd 0o powder marks surrounding the wound From the crippled condition of his left nand, l. SnOulu say that ne nau not Hfsd from that hand, and the position of the wound would indicate that the right hand was not used" said pr. Springer.
 Telegrams from Evansville heightened the mystery. On top of statements by members of the Bnkley family, declaring that the doctor never carried weapon, word was received that the only revol- yer owned by the latter had been found in the Binkley home in that city. An other dispatch stated that the Rev H. S. Morrison. pastor of the Christ Presby terian church of Evansville. of which the elder Binkey was a member. had re- ceived letter of cheerful tone from Dr. Binkley. apparently mailed in Chicago only half an hour before his death
 Moran. the hotel porter spoiled a sen sation at the inquest when he took the stand. Miss Upchurch had testified that she was sure her grandfather had been murdered, because, she fled from the room with her mother at the sight of the body, she was seized by some one who attempted to detain her Moran ex- plained that he was the person in ques- tion and that he had restrained the wom- en because of their hysterical cond- tion.
 The investigation will be continued, no verdict being returned today