The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-12-10
FATHER OF 4
!. IS Slain HERE
AS PROWLER
Clasps Last Plea for Care of
Children, Shortly After
Wounding.
HUNTING FRIENDS HOME
ASSaiIant Says Intruder Had
Ripped Screen Off
Back Door.
HUNTING FRIENDS HOME
CPicture on Page III

After gasping a last plea for
care OF his four children, Rex Gray,
"a, of 1888 Lee street, World war
veteran, died early today at city
hospital of bullet wound received
when he is alleged to have at
tempted to enter a house in Mars
Hill.
Gray succumbed in presence Of
his wife and parents four hours
after part of his abdomen was torn
away by blast from a shotgun in
the hands of Anthony J. Gasvoda,
81, Mars Hill resident.
Until the last, confident he would
not die, Gray talked only of his
children, twin daughters, Jean and
jeanette. 10; Caroline, 6 and Jack, ,.
Take care of ther. while I'm
here" Gray said befJre he died.
Police and deputy sheriffs, mean
while, are conducting an ilvestiga-
ton to determine whether Gray,
supposedly searching for the home
of friend in Mars HILL mistook the
GaSvoda residence where he partial
ly had ripped a screen from a rear
door.
Fires Twice Through Window
GaSvoda, who is not held by po-
lice asserted he lay in waiting Fri
day night for prowler who several
times recently attempted to gain
entrance to the mouse.
GaSvoda said he heard sound of
the screen being ripped. He seized
the shotgun and fired twice through
a window.
Before he died, Gray told his wife,
who hurriedly had been summoned
to the hospital, that he lay on the
ground for some time before aid
reached him.
Il was shot from an upstairs
window. Not satisfied with that
they shot me second time" Gray
gasped.
Worried About Christmas Funds
Early Friday night Gray. who
was to be tried Tuesday in criminal
court on charges of burglary and
grand larceny, left his home with
friend.
He had told his wife he was wor-
ried about obtaining money for
Christmas for his, children and to
pay attorneys fees in the court
case.
The friend, Nick Terry, 100 block
West Morris street, told The Times
today that he had let Gray out of
his car at Howard and Reisner
streets at $3.50 Friday night.
Gray saw fellow walking by
and had me let him out of the car.
That's the last time I saw him"
Terry said
Wanted Money for Family
GrayS father, Louis Gray, GAL
Arbor avenue, said his son had
been seeking money from every
available source.
L told him to be sure and Dor
row the money" the father said.
Haven't been in enough trou-
bic without getting into any more,
Pop?" the father said Gray told
him.
The father said his son had not
been involved in any trouble since
the grocery affair The widow, Mrs.
Eileen Gray, said her husband had
not been out at nights until the
Friday.
Sought Work for Year
Mrs. Gray told police and deputy
sheriffs that her husband had been
for work several months.
Gray had worked at odd jobs.
Police records show Gray was m
dicted in May on the burglary
charge with two companions in con-
nection with footing of a Kroger
store at 2145 Madison avenue. Most
of the loot was recovered in a ga
rage at Gray's home, police said.
After being arrested, Gray with
his family, was forced to move into
the home of Mrs. Gray's parents,
Mr.. and Mrs. N. D. Thomas of the
Lee street address.
Arrangements for the funeral
have not been made.