The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-05-31
SHARP JUMP IN
VIOLENT DEATHS
RECORDED HERE
Is Murders Committed in
City During First Four
Months of 1894.
BY FREDERICK G. MATSON
Times staff Writer

Times STAFF Writer
Murders and other violent deaths
in Indianapolis appear to rate p
higher batting average this year
than last. At least that seems to be
the fact during the first four
months of 1884
Fifteen murders we're committed
within the city limits from Jan.
to May l, as compared to eleven
during the corresponding period in
1888, according to Indianapolis po- .
lice department statistics.
Total number of violent deaths,
and by that is meant all deaths
other than those resulting from
natural causes, such as sickness, old
age, etc, is eighty-seVen during the
four month period this year, as
against seventy-five for the same
| period in 1888
Four Have Drowned
Taking these categorically, in 1884
there have been four drownings,
seventeen suicides, thirty-thre
traffic deaths, eighteen nontraffic
fatalities (reSults of accidents in
which traffic was not involved) and
fifteen murders.
During the corresponding 1888 in
terval, there were three drownings,
twenty-three suicides zone of them
by drowning, thirty-one traffic and
eight nontraffic deaths, and eleven
murders.
Suicides apparently are on the
decline, but all other forms of
violent deaths have increased. BY
far the most numerous are those re-
sulting from traffic accidents.
Already these had mounted to
forty-six by May Is.
Is Murders Solved
Drownings have taken the least
number of lives, but it is natural to
assume, and without excessive pessi-
mism, that they will take an even
greater toll during the hot sum-
mer months. The total was sixteen
during 1888.
Only two of the fifteen murders
as vet are unsolved. This is very
creditable record on the part of the
Indianapolis police and detective
forces, and merits high commenda-
ton of Chief Mike Morrissey and
Detective Chief Fred Simon.
One of these unSolved murders
perhaps is the most sensational COM
mitted in the city in recent years.
Bert Callahan, wealthy and &C.
centric real estate man, was found
Strangled ard shot in his luxurious
w furnished bachelor residence on
North Illinois street, early in the
morning of April 6. His body was
found lying on the floor of the liv-
ing room, bound In an oriental rug
with his head Smothered in bath
towel.
Ring Is Found
Although numerous persons were
questioned regarding the murder, no
one has been held permanently.
Chief motive for the Staying at first
appeared to be robbery, as $4,000
diamond ring which Mr.. Callahan
habitually wore, was missing. Sew
eral weeks later, however, it was
found in his home. A motive other
than robbery apparently must have
instigated the brutal murder.
The second unsolved murder COM
mitted inside the city limits during
the first four months of 1884 was
that of Willie Sing, Chinese. laundry
man. Sing, whose real name was
Conn Dun Jung, was found with
his head beaten, apparently with
a hammer, inside rotary washing
machine at his laundry establish
ment March IS.
Although robbery. seemed to be
the motive. no arrests have been
made. Police however, are follow
ing a number of clews furnished by
friends and relatives of the dead
man.
Wife, Friends Await Trial
Another of this years murders
that attracted wide interest is that
of the Rev. Gaylord " Saunders,
former Wabash minister, found shot
to death Feb. 2 in his car at
Meridian and Foritieth streets.
Within a very short time, police
arrested three persons, among them
Mrs. Lenora Saunders, wife of the
slain minister. The others, Theo-
dore Mathers and Masil Roe, were
friends of Mr.. Saunders.
All three have been indicted for
first and second degree murder and
are awaiting trial.
There we're a total OF twenty
seven murders ir indianapolis in
1888. More than half that number
already have been committed this
year, indicating an increase of
notations in the murder book at