The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-06-04
THAT On. BTNKLEY sUTCIDED II
DrsCREDrTED.
Evidences supporfing the Theory That
Aged Physicfan Was Murdered and
Hcipbed Brought Ont mt
CoxOnex's Hearing.

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 at
the hands Of robber, was adduced
at the coroner's Inquest today.
The evidence presented does not
fatty disprove, but materially weak
ems the suicide hypothesis. Briefly
stated, the testimony showed that DR..
Btnkley was eighty-two years old, q
lover of his family and OF the church
the Presbyterian. Save for left
hand crippled by rheumatism. his
health was good, his spirits were high
at the prospect of family reunion.
Suicide seemed the furtherest thought
from his mind. "a
With other mem oers of his family,
he came to Chicago yesterday and re-
mained In his room while the others
went on q shopping tour. When his
daughter. Mrs George Upchurch, re-
turned about 5 y. m. with her daugh-
ter, Elinor. they found the shades
drawn and the old physician apparent
ly asleep in an easy chair. The flood
OF Hight let In by raising the curtains
disclosed his blood stained face. He
sat with his right hand nearest to the
bed which was about a foot away. The
pistol lay on the bed with one cham
Der empty. The bullet, however, had
entered HIS left cheek and lodged in
his brain, fnflicting wound from
which II Is said death must have been
instantaneous
HIS coat ana vest were found open
and the wallet which he habitualiy
carried In an inside pocket was miss
ing. as was his watch. A small sum.
SAL. was found on the dresser In the
room. Hts valise, In which he carried
a few medical and toilet articles, and
which had been ron his knees when his
daughter left him TO 80 shopping. were
found in q public toilet room. twenty
yards from the room, and OF the exist
ence OF which the decedant Is said to
have been in ignorance. his own room
being provided with similar facilities.
The door of the room was not locked.
DR.. John J. Binkley, Jr., son of the
Evansville doctor. testified that death
had taken place half an hour or forty
minutes before the return of Mrs up
church and har daughter. The coro-
ner's physician. DR.. Joseph Springer,
testified that. contrary to current re-
ports, he had found no powder marks
surrounding the wounds.
From the crippled condition of his
left hand, should say that he had not
Aired from that hand. and the position
of the wound would indicate that the
right hand was not used" said DR..
Springer.
kilograms from Evansville height
ened the mystery. On top of state
ments by members Of the Binklex~fam-
lily, declaring that the doctor never
carried weapon. word was received
that the only revolver owned by the
latter had been found in Its usual
place In the Binkley home in that city.
Another dispatch stated that the Rev.
H. s.. Morrison, pastor Of the First
Presbyterian Church Of Evansville, of
which the elder Binkiey was menu
Der, had received a letter Of cheerful
tone from DR.. Blnkiey, apparently
mailed in Chicago only half an hour
before his death.
Moran. the ehotel porter, spoiled "a
sensation at the Inquest when he took
the stand. Miss Upchurch had testi-
fied~that she was sure her grandfather
had been murdered because as 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 explained that he was the per-
son in question, and that he had re-
strained the women because OF their
hysterical condition.
The investigation will be continued
no verdict being returned today.