The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-11-19
PINCH SOLVES
DEATH RIDDLE,
SLEUTHS SAY
Suspect Admits Guilt in
Mystery Killing, Claim
of Detectives.
HUNT LASTS FOR MONTH
Former Taxi Driver Is Held
After Long Search
for SLAYER.

Following a trail through under
world haunts for the last month,
detectives today said they had solved
the 50 alley murder Of Joseph Stem
berger, 20, of COZ South Meridian
street, with the arrest of Samuel w.
Wilson, %. R. R. Z, Box 90.
Wilson was apprehended Wednes-
day night while riding in an auto
mobile on East Washington street
with his wife and his brother-in-
law.
In their efforts to solve the muir
der, Detectives Morris Corbin and
Roy Peats, who arrested Wilson,
have been in every south and west
side booze joint and underworld
haunt frequented by Steinberger.
After days and nights of work,
they finally picked up the clew that
Steinberger used only one type Of
taxi on his trips to the liquor dives.
Late last week the officers learned
that Wilson had quit his job as a
taxi driver and moved, few days
after the murder, they said.
CONCESSION is Claimed
Wilson was questioned by the
officers all night and early today,
they said, he signed a complete con-
fession of the crime.
Steinberger never regained con-
seriousness after the smuggling and
died several hours later at city hos
pital. He was found the morning
of Oct. IS in the rear of 729 East
Georgia street His skull had been
fractured by a blow with blunt in
Strument.
Wilson, a taxi driver, admitted,
according to Corbin and Peats, that
he and Steinberger had argued over
payment of a bill for a tour of
booze joints, which the latter had
made in Wilson'S cab the night Of
Oct. II.
According to the purported con-.
fession, Steinberger jumped from
the cab and ran to Georgia and
Noble streets and Wilson struggled
with him in the alley.
Took Money and Fled
''He hit me and then I picked I'D
something hard and hit him on the
head with it, Wilson is said to have
admitted to officers. "I think it was
a brick. He fell against me and
I took him over and laid him near
shed. took 50 from his pocket
and fed"
Wilson'S statement resulted in the
arrest of Kern Yeager and his wife.
Emma, 1107 English avenue, on
blind tiger charges. Corbin and
PeatS said Wilson admitted the Eng
fish avenue place was one of the
joints where he and Steinberger
drank before the Staying.
According to the purported state
ment the murder suspect was hailed
by Steinberger in front of the Crys-
tai dance palace, 729 North Illinois
street.
He said he drove Steinberger to
his home, but the latter changed his
plans and they drank from a bottle
Steinberger had.
Demanded His Pay
"Steinberger told me he didn't
want to go home" Wilson's alleged
statement read. "I took him to a
place at Jackson and Illinois streets
and then to a barber shop on West
Washington street He said he still
wanted whisky and we vent to the
place on English avenue. 1 got
twenty-five cents for bringing him
there"
Wilson's statement said, Accord
ing to officers, that SteinbergeR
didn't want to pay the taxi fare. all
though Wilson reminded him that
he "had paid for the whisky, now
pay me-"
Wilson is married and has an
18-month-old daughter. His wife
and her brother were questioned by
officers Wednesday night, but de-
MED knowledge of the crime. They
were released.
In 1924 Wilson was convicted for
the robbery of a downtown sporting
goods store and served a year in
the state Tefarr1at0rv