South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1914-02-21
Fifer and Smith to Face Charge
of Murder in First Degree
With EIeCtrocution or Life
Sentence as Penalty.
YOUTH WHO CONFESSED
IS CRUSHED BY NEWS
Alleged ACCompIiCe SneerS and
Says "It Doesn't Concern
Him"-DruggiSt Dies After
PIuCky Fight.

Charges of murder III the first de-
gree, for which if they are found
guilty, they can be sentenced To death
in the electric chair, will probably be
made against Floyd Fifer. 17-year-old
boy who confessed TO shooting +. A.
Kink, druggist, in his store ON Mich
igan av., Feb. ?, and Joseph Smith,
21, alleged accompLce. The neN.
charges Will come as a result of the
death of Fink at Epworth hospital late
Friday night.
The charge must be made by the
grand jury, which meets for the next
session in May, according to PrOsecut-
ing Attorney Montgomery Saturday
a murder charge cannot be made by
affidavit. The prosecutor will make
motion that the boys be held without
bond until the next session of the jury
at which time the indictments for
murder will probably be made.
Charges of assault and battery with
intent TO kill, now pending against
the boys, will be dismissed, although
Fifer has already entered a plea OK
guilty Smith will be tried as a prin-
ciple in the shooting.
Bows Told of Death.
The death of Mr.. Fink was with
held from the boys until Saturday
morning. When they were told of
ii by the prosecutor. Fifer broke down
and said he was sorry. He said that
he did not intend to shoot Fink but
lost his head and did it before he
knew what he was doing. He shud-
dered at the thoughts of life impris-
onment or the possible sentence to
death by electricity,
The fact that Fink died does not
concern me-" said Smith in q Sneering
voice when he was Informed of the
death of Mr.. Fink. Smith maintained
his Indifferent attitude throughout.
Fink was unconscious when the
end came and surrounding him were
the members of his family. He lapsed
into total UncOnSciOuSneSS about four
hours before the end, but was in a
semi-consciOus state since Thursday
afternoon.
He is survived by his mother, Mrs.
Mary Fink, of Wakarusa, his wife,
Lizzie, two children, Chester, II, and
Margaret, one year old, and seven
brothers and sisters. The latter are.
Mrs. Elliott Crull, Elkhart; DIR. II. A.
Fink, John Fink. Reuben Fink, South
Bend; Mrs John Rib bic, Wakarusa;
Mrs. Paul Boehn, St. Paul; DR.. Chas
Fink, Chicago.
The dead man was a member OF
the Woodmen of the World.
Was Shot BY Youth.
Fink was shot by Floyd F1fer, Is,
who has confessed to the crime.
Fifer entered the store on the pre-
text of purchasing chewing gum and
demanded the money in the cash reg
lister from Fink. When the latter re-
fused. he opened fire, Wounding the
druggist in the chest and in the lower
left side of the body. 1t was from the
latter wound that the doctors think
he suffered most.
Neither Fifer or Joseph Smith,
whom Fifar has implicated in his con-
fession as an accOmplice. have been
told of the death of their alleged vic
tim. Smith. since his arrest, has
maintained his innocence
The police state that a charge or
murder in the first degree will be
lodged against Fifer. He has plead
guilty to a charge of assault with IN
tent to kill. Just what charge Will be
placed against Smith is not known at
present. II will probably be the same
as that lodged against Fifer.
Makes Plucky Fight.
Since being taken to the hospltaI
Fink has made a plucky fight 10 re-
cover. At first it was thought that
death was only a matter OF a few
hours but he began TO show improve
ment and a few days after the shoot
ing was able TO set up N bed and re
ceive visitors.
While he showed signs of improve
(CONTINUED on PAGE TWO)