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THE COLUMBUS WEEKLY HERALD43THE COLUMBUS HERALD.FRIDAY, JAN. 8, 1886.MURDERED.George Cooper, of Olifty, FoundDeadWith Six Bullet Holes in his Body And his Skull Crushed With a Club.The Horrible Siffht That xnet the Gate of tho People Yesterday.v t „ Dully of Saturday.''resterday afternoon Nixon O. Stewart, visiting in the neighborhood, while hunting near the school house located at the intersection of the Petersville road running south from that pluce, with theIIlrtaville pike, suddenly came upon the dead body of a man, that presented a most horrible sight. Stewart’s dog had discovered the body while Stewart Was Borne distance away, and commenced barking. Stewart was going in another direction, and called his dog, supposing it was barking at some trivia! thing. But he couldn’t call the dog away, and finally went to it. Arriving there he found a man lying partly up against the roots of a tree. Under the head whs a wheat sack folded up. The sack bears the brand of Quick Co. In the center of the forehead was a hulled hole; the left eye was shot out—his nose was terribly bruised, and whole face and head covered with blood. The hacksOf his hands were bruised and skinnet! up, as though receiving tin* blows of a heavy club while in the portion of defence. About six feet away lay his overcoat, and near by a clnb, and a little distance in another direction whs a pistol. There was no evidence of scuffle or contest discernible.It may be stated, here, that lanides the wounds, as noted above, it was found afterwards that there were two bullet holes In his right arm, two in.his right side, and one below the nostrils — making six bullet wounds altogether. Tho elub found near was about eighteen iuehrs Ion* , ami is thought to have been broken from a eou* ling pole of a wagon. The large end was about 2 inches in diameter. One end had been tapered with ith an axe to a **iw eonven-idfit to he held in the hand.Nixon immediately gave tin* alarm and Mr. NV. II. Blessing came to town, bringing the news, and steps were immediately taken to can* for the body and to hold an inque-t. Mr.Long’s undertakers, DivuLon andMurray, were sent out with a parly, tunong whom were ’Squire Kinney, acting as coroner, Constable Hickey and others, aud tin* hotly was brought to Long’s establishment, where it was prepared for burial.Considerable of a crowd hail collected at the spot to view the body, among them being Mr. K/.**kielCooper, the father of the dead man. Until his arrival no one seemed to ku w who the oend man \v is-lic* being reported by Stewart and Blessing a a stranger.The excitement in town after the arrival of the body was intense, and the undertaking e.-taMi diluent was crowded till .1 late hour by persons eager to learn the particulars of the horrible affair. Lillie was learned more than the general out line as here given,though there were many rumors and theories afloat, which served to keep the crowd together, and excite interest.Again this morning the place was besieged by an anxious crowd, that desired to see the body and to hear what might be afloat as to the tragic affair.An autopsey was held upon the body by Drs. MeLoed, Voris, and Armor, who were summoned for the; purpose, who proceeded about ten o’clock to perform that duty. They Will testify to the coroner.The coroner has ordered the body to remain at the undertakers, until the inquest should be ended, when it will be given up to the friends for interment. Later tho body was turned over to the family and taken ho)^) to near Newbern.George Cooper was twenty-two years of age and unmarried. He was regarded in the neighborhood as a most excellent young man. lie was peaceable and qulot, and his father gays he never knew him to curry a weapon,or a pistol. The pistol found near him, was, however idontiflcd as belonging to his brother Albert. 8evlt;-eral persons bear witness to the fact that he was pleasant in disposition,honorablein his intercourse with associates, and generally highly regarded by all who knew him.Below we give the evidence before the coroner so far as it hud been elicited up to the hour of going to press. The work of getting tho testimony is proceeding very slowly.THE EVIDENCE AT THE INQUEST.The inquest commenced at 10 o’cIock this morning, in the private room of Esquire Kinney’s office. To avoid the crowd and facilitate business, no one was admitted except the officials, witnesses and reporters.Ksq. Kinney, acting coroner, questioned the witnesses and the evidence was taken down by Frank Matson, Coroner’s clerk. Sevlt; 1 witnesses were called who failed answer, and it was twenty minute after 10 when the first witness, Nixon O. .Stewart, was sworn. “I live in Harrison township, this county and State. I live six miles we3t of Columbus, and it is five miles from here to where the body was found.44I was squirrel hunting, and£my dog found the body. It did not look as if there had been a struggle.“I found a revolver, B2}long, lying about three feet awuy from the bodv on the east of him. Did not pick up revolver to examine it. A mallet, about eighteen inches long, shaped like one used to rive boards; made with a dull ax; also an overcoat was lying seven feet east of body.“Am acqainted slightly in {{that neighborhood; my broth* r-indaw, James Grosscost, lives there. Did not kuow deceased. Never saw him before that I know of.“Found the body about three o’clock, yesterday, Jan. 1st, 1880, in the corner of Jonathan Soil’s woods, in ('lay township.Ben F. Olmstoad sworn “I live on Flora Jett’s place in Clay township. 1 did not first discover the body. Saw it lying in the woods, Mr. Stewart Hist told me of it as I was at workat sawmill; was not acquainted withdeceased.The body wnn found forty yards from pike on Joe Stuckey’s land.Did not know anything particularly about some horses being taken from a stable in that neighborhood, only /icanl James Western say something about it; on Wednesday morning saw where buggy had backed across on each side of the road near I lie place where the body lay, aud 1 hon went back east. The woods arc open where the body was found. Do not know anything further in regard to t bis «*ase.Albert Cooper sworn, 41 Live nine mHe* u,«-t of hero in ( fifty township, Bartholomew* county. George Cooper, deceased, was a brother of mine. He was 22 years old the 8th day of last December. Saw him last alive on Tuesday forenoon. He started to go to Mi's, Rachael Fix’s to shuck corn. Did not have any money or a wateb that I know of when he left home. Did not know of my brother’s 1 rouble with any one, either II. Gilt-her or Kvan Fix. Did not knowhow long he was intending to work for Mrs. Fix. Did not know if my brother was keeping clt; tnpatiy with any lady. Kvan Fix has a buggy; saw him on Wednesday night at Newborn. My brother did no! shuck corn hut sawed wood. Left Fix’s tit dark on Tuesday evening to go to Nowhern. Asked Mary Fix yesterday morning if she know where George was. Said she did not know. Fix’s folks said that Kvan did not goto Newbern on Tuesday evening with George* Cooper. Rachael Fix told me about Kvan going to Newborn.”Kviut Fix sworn: “Knew GeorgeCooper. Saw him last Tuesday oven* ing at supper at our hou*e;said he was going up to Nowhern and asked me to go along; did not go with him. He did not slate what he was going to Newborn for. lie was not coining hack to our house (ls i did not want him any more this week. On 'Tuesday evening it was ton had to shuck corn and we cut wood, then he left, a-* Muted, and did not say where he was going. I was not in Newborn on Tuesday night, I was at home Tuesday night. Cooper had ; on a cap, coarse boots. Witnessrecognized cap, je.uis pants worn illboots, overcoat; had a revolver; one shown looked like it; said it was a M2 tong. I don’t know of any young lady that Cooper kept company with in that neighborhood. Never heard Cooper say he had any trouble with Harvey Giltner. Cooper left our house Tuesday morning and went home; left his coat at barn when we went out to shuck corn in the afternoon; it was too muddy to shuck, and we wont and sawed wood until night. Cooperand I went to Pete Keller’s in the afternoon to borrow a saw and Jake and Dan Keller, came back to my brother .Will’s woods with us. Don’t kuow anything fur*ther in this case, only will state that my saddle was missing between Saturday, Dec. 20, and Wednesday night. Have* not found my saddle [ yet. Did not know or think anything about the overcoat until 1 saw it last nighl by the body. I did not miss the saddle until Wednesday evening, when I went to get it to go to an exhibition. Do not know whether Cooper took a sack with him when he left our house.”Albert Cooper, brother of deceased, was recalled. He recognized the revolver found on the deceased as his own (Albert’s). Said bis brother went to Fix’s onTuesday after eating dinner at home, and they did not see him again alive.Harvey A. Giltner swore: Live in lt;Jay township abont a quarter of aile from where the body of George l per was found. First saw the bo y about three o’clock yesterday afternoon. Did not notice any tracks about the body when I got to it. Did not see any wagon tracks between the pike and where the body was found.Mrs. Deputy’s son Delmar, told me that horses were taken out of Mrs. Deputy’s stable. I could not tell whether there had been any scuffle around the body as there was hogs in the woods: 1 don’t know any further facts except what I heard last night, my brother noticed buggy tracks on Wednesday morning: said the tracks comedown the pike frotn the east and turned out in the woods toward whore the body was found. The tracks turned round and went back up the pike. James Western told witness that he saw Mrs. Deputy’s horse lonso in the woods on Tuesday night while he was out coon hunting: Witness knew Cooper, could not say of his going with young lady as he did not live in his neighborhood.Mrs, Itachel Fix: 1 live in Clifty township, know George Cooper: Saw him last on Tuesday evening when he eat his supper. He did not tell me where he was going: asked Kvan my son, when we got up from the table if he would go toNewbern with him. Kvan said he did not feel well enough to go: Come to my house on Monday and stayed till night, went home on Tuesday morning and come hack in afternoon toshuck corn.Kvan did not go fo Nowhern that night, missed a saddle* from stable on Wednesday, did not know when it was taken, it was last used on Saturday night before, it has not been found yet as some of the neighbor boys have borrowed it. I live about a mile from Pete Kellars: Kellars boys were not at my house on Tuesday but were up in the woods: I knownothing further, was well acquainted with George Cooper. lie was always regarded us a good boy in the neighborhood.AFTERNOON SESSION.Win. II. Blessing sworn: “Livein Clay township; I livo across forty acres from where the hotly was found, I noticed a buggy track coming from east. It stopped and wheel turned so that some one could get out. some filly yards from where the* body was found . Huvo heard no rumors. Know Kvan Fix; his reputation in his neighborhood is that he is inclined to be wild, sported some, but his reputation for truth is pretty good. I Irani about horses taken belonging to Airs. Deputy. Kxaminod the big gate at Mrs. D’s. lot: saw that horses had been taken out of lot.James Western sworn: 44Live inClay township, about one and three-fourths miles from where the* body was found. Knew George ' ooper; be was well respected;saw him about a week ago. On Tuesday night about one o’clock was out coon hunting; saw a loose horse near Mrs. Deputy’s with saddle and bridle on. Heard noise over tho fence. The horse was about a quarter of a mile from where the body was found. 1 have not heard anything in connection with the killing. 1 helped to move tho body; think his cap was under his head. Did not see sack under tin* head of deceased.”Daniel lveller sworn: “I live inCliffy township; knew Georgo Cooper; saw him on Tuesday evening in Bill Fx’s woods, sawing wood; did not toll me he was going anywhere. Cooper was a nice young man; never saw any harm of him; don’t know whether he hat) a pistol or not. Had on working clothes when 1 saw him; wore a cep; had no overcoat when I saw him. Live a half mile from Mrs. Fix, 1 first heard this morning that George Cooper was missing. Don’t know if Cooper had any difficulty with anyone in that neighborhood. Do not know anything about his keeping company with any young woman* I know of nothing further touching this case.Noah Howe sworn: 44Livo In Clifty township, near Newborn; know George Cooper; saw him last alive, InColumbus, two weeks ngo to-day. I was told that Kvan F:x went to Newbern on Tuesday night with George Cooper, by Levi Boyer. Boy-yer said that Fix told him that they went up together. Boyvr’s daughter-in-law, Cordie Boyer, was present when Fix told Boyer that he went to town with deceased. I know nothing further in this case.Joseph \W Boyer: “Live eightmiles east of Columbus, on Harts* ville pike. Do not know that George Cooper was iuJNewbern on Tuesday night. I know him. Kvan Fix said he left his house on Tuesday evening to go to Newbern. Fix did not say that he went with him. Was watering my horses when H. Miller told me and I went down to see. Kvan Fix enrne to where the body was lying, and was the first to recognize the body by the clothing.John Yea ley: I live in Bartholomew County three or four miles from where the body of Cooper was found saw him on Tuesday afternoon at Fete Kellar’s near the barn, Kvan Fix Dan and Jake KeUar were with him. They were standing talking, did not hear that be went to Newborn that evening: I was outside on my horse some fifteen or twenty feet talking. They were ;t rad ing knives and talking about a big sled that was standing near: Know of no troublebetweeu Cooper and other parties It is between four and five miles from where I saw the parties to where the body of Cooper was found. I stayed until Mr. Fix said: ‘Let us go to work,’ and Cooper said he was ready. The KeUar hoys were invited to go, and they started. Mr. Fix had a crosscut saw on his shoulder. This is the Jast time I saw Cooper.”Wiley Jones testified as follows: “Live in Clay township, half mile from where the body was found; did not see buggy tracks; hogs had been around; knew Cooper since he wan a boy; never knew him to have any difficulty with anybody; heard several pistol shots on Tuesuny night in the direction of where the body was found. There were coon hunters out bul would know the difference between u gun shot, used by them, and a pistol; saw the body mov^d from the tree; I was the second man to tin* body, a cap was under the head, and the sack was under the shoulders. I now nothing further.”T. G. Quick sworn: “] live inCulumbus. Witness recognized the bloody sack, found under the deceased, by the brand, “T. G. Quick, Columbus, Iiul.’ Knew that Cooper had sacks with his brand; also thatFix and and Kellar had taken out sacks, but said all claimed they had retur/»ed them.”Oliver M. Giltner: “Live fivemiles east of here on Hartsville pike; was acquainted with George Cooper; saw him two weeks ago; saw a buggy track coming from the east on the llurtsvitle pike on last Wednesday morning; stopped near where the body was found; saw that the buggy tuned out; there is a small ditch along the pike*; the track did not leave the road, but turned around and went back east. I)o not know that Cooper kept company with any young lady, or that he had any difficulty with any one. Did not see tin* body until after it was moved; heard three pistol shots along the pike, seemingly near where the body was found; the shots were about i) o’clock. It is about five miles from where the body was found to Newborn.”Dr. 8. Voris: 41J assisted in making post mortem examination on the body of George Cooper. 1 found a bullet hole in the center of the forehead, between the eyes, penetrating the skull, passing back beneath theanterior lobes of the brain and cnler-ed tlie bouy of the sphenoid bon**, where the hall was found. The membranes of tho brain were injured; could not tell whether the shot was tired at lung or short range, lie had also been struck over the bullet hole which luul cut out a patch of skin.I found another wound in Die muscle of the right arm, passing under the skin and out; there was also a bullet hole found in the right side, entering about the eighth rib, fracturing it4 passing through the cavity of the chest, through the diaphragm entering the right lobe of the liver, and then Just beneath the pancreas, where the hall was fouud; also found a bullet hole in the right foro arm, passing through tho middle of the lower third between tho bones. I found the mark of a spent ball in the right side, just beneath the ribs; think that two balls made tho four wounds, from the position tho body was in. There was also a fracture in tho forehead, mashing in tho nose, this fracture Joining the one tnudo by tho bullet. There was also a blow on the cheektinjuring the left eye. I think the man was about dead when the shotswere fired into the siddt as the ballpassed through the body under the lungs, the same being raised up because the man was not breathing, making the aperture spoken of which the ball passed through. Ilud the man been breathing his lungs would have been full and down, so as to have been perforated by the bullet. The hands were both bruised and skinned on the back, as if it had been done in warding off blows from a club. The shot in the fore-head'could have been done while he wns standing up, as it was at right angles through the head. There were no wounds on the side of the head. My profession is that of physician and surgeon.A. J. McLeod: 44My occupation is that of a physician and surgeon; live in Columbus; I was directed by the coroner, and was present Thursday, January 2nd, iaS6, between the hours of nine and eleven o’clock a. m., and made a post mortem examination of the body of a person said to he George Cooper, weighing about 175 pounds, height five feet eight inches. Deceased had auburn hair, light eyes, aged twenty-two. I was assisted by Dr. Voris; I think Cooper came to his death by blows from a club, and wounds from pistol balls; cither would have been sufficient to kill him. That portion of the nose that was missing was caused by blows from the club.” The witness corroborated fhe statement of Dr. Voris as to the location and extent cftho wounds. The balls were 32 calibre. The bullet taken from the brain was then shown, It was badly battered. Also two others, one from tho chest, or abdominal cavity, the other a spent hall, whs found in the clothing. Two visiting cards, one of Laura Smith, the other of Lizzie Kellar, together with a tax receipt for $2.40, dated May 18, 1885, were found in a vest pocket.Tho inquest adjourned until six o’clock. At the time set to resume, there being no witnesses present, the coroner adjourned the investigation until Sunday at one o’clock.As the evidence proceeded it was ascertained that Kvan Fix knew more about the killing of Cooper than any one else, and Sheriff Brown put him under arrest. About two o’clock in the afternoon, the Sheriff, accompanied by Marshal Haggerty, went out to the residence of Mrs. Fix. They found the identical pieces of timber — the tongue of an# old worn out wheat drill, from which the club that was found by the hotly was cut—lying at the hack of the barn. The pieces tallied exactly with the club, and the ax with which the club was cut; even the ridges on the kerfs, caused by the gaps in the ax, cor res ponded with those on the club. The board on whiehthe clubwas trimmed near the pieces of timber, as well as the chips was found. Alter these articles were brought in, the Sheri If, Marshal and Herald representative visited Fix in jail, lie was found with his coat off, sitting down on the grating,with other prisoners, engaged in a game of cards. The Sheriff culled Fix to one side and told him that the piece of timber from which the club was cut had been found, and also the ax with which it had been trimmed. Fix seemed dumbfounded and in a minute or two said in a lee-ble voice: 441 can’t help that. 1know nothing about the ax and club.” Slicritr Brown then told him that he was sorry to see him with such a dreadful charge against him. “Oh, that’s all right,” was the rejoinder. Have you anything to say about the blood on yourbuggy, was the next question. “If there is any blood on my buggy it was put there to-day,” said Fix in a hurried manner. “How do you account for the finding of the piece of timber from which the club was cut in your burn yard?” asked the Sheriff. “1 tell you 1 know nothing about that dub.”44!low came you to la* out with your buggy on Tuesday night?” 441 can prove that 1 was at home that night,” was the answer. “Where is the pistol you carry?” 441 have no pistol—never carry one. Ma has one tout she keeps about the house.I have not carried a pistol in six months.” The prisoner then stated that he knew uothing of Cooper’s whereabouts after he ate his supper at his house on Tuesday night; said he, Fix, was the last to finish supper, as he was muting a story paper and was tho last of the family to take a seat at the table, and that Cooper got up while ho was still eating and went out of the kitchen door, saying ho was going to Newbern.He then denied knowing anything about the club or blood on the buggy, and seemed loth to talk. He seemed to be dazed, looked pnlo and walked up stairs to the cell roomwith apparent effort.The finding of the pieces in Fix’s barnyard from which the club was taken, is a strong link in the chain of circumstance that surr und young Fix. There can be no question that the club found by the body was made at the place named. The gaps in the ux which show so plainly on the elub and remaining pieces, the board on which the end of the club was placed upon when the handle was being fashioned, the chips lying around, the fiat surface of the top of the old tongue which shows on the death dealing weapon, aud on both pieces found, the paint on all three, are silent witnesses that connect them together and will be difficult to explain away.The excitement on the streetswhen the officers arrived from Mrs. Fix’s lartn on Saturday night with the missing links, was intense and groups of earnest men could be seen on every corner discussing the details of the awful crime. There was no talk of mob law, but a determination was manifested to bring tho guilty ones, whoever they were, to justice. That more than one person is implicated Is the general belief, and all the circumstances surrounding the case go to prove. Cooper was a man in the prime of life, of great physical strength, undone man would hesitate to attack him single handed. Conveying the body to where it was found was the work of more than one man, as it weighed 175 pounds, and would require great exertion to carrv it bo far from the pike.The general surmise is that Coopei was murdered in the woods not far from Newbern, the bloody sack that was found under the shoulders was wrapped around Die head to prevent the blood from falling to the ground or getting on the vehicle in which it was hauled and taken a short distance from the house of Harvey A. GiJner and thrown down, so that suspicion would rest on him. It is proper to say in this connection, that sus-piciou did rest on Giltner on Friday night, and until the investigation on Saturday, when it took a different direction and settled on Fix and one or two others.Yesterday the ucting coroner, who had adjourned the inquest until one o’clock on that day, concluded to postpone lurther proceedings until one o’clock to-day.{ Continued.]Cooking Stove Repairs. —Wo are prepared to repair cooking stoves, replace broken parts, etc., on short notice and reasonable terms. Leave orders with Stevens A Co.Mullen dork A Meuideth.A Fine Present.A day or two ago several of the friends of Mr. George Phillipp presented him witli a fine chandelier, which they hung in his saloon. They enticed him away for an hour and had it put up during his absence. It Is a most neat and valuable fixture.AffiHaud By Coal Can.On returning home this morning at about 4 o’doek, IN)!iceman Brinkley discovered his wife and children, excepting tin* baby, all ill from inhaling coal gas. The covering of n pipe in the base burner had become disarranged in some way, so that tho gas was allowed to escape into tiie room. Mrs. Brinkley was the most seriously affected, the baby the least, of the family. Mr. B. soon discovered the nature of iht ailment and called I)r. Falk, who visited the family immediately and rendered such service as was nect*ssary. All are now thought to he fully recovered from the effects of the deadly gas, excepting Mrs. Brinkley, hut a he is improving and will be able to ho out of bed soon. The children are all running around as well as before.A Very Pleasant Affair.Dully of Friday.At noon to-day the employes of thoCerealilie Mills presented MttJ. Gent and Mr. It. Thomas each, with ft swinging silver water pitcher, its testimonial to those gentlemen of the good will held for them by the employes. The pitchers are of neat design and workmanship, and wiP bo appreciated by the recipients. The fact that the presentation was to bo made was kept from the gentlemen, as it was proposed to make it in tho nature of a surprise. The affair was well managed and passed off smoothly. Several gentlemen outside of the employes were present.The presentation speech was made by Mr. George Pence, in his usually happy vein, and the gifts acknowledged in turn by Messrs. Thomas and Gent. The vessels were filled with Rhein wine from the cask of Henry Brockman, which was tested by those present. It was altogether a very pleasant affair.
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Columbus Herald
Columbus, Indiana, US
Fri, Jan 08, 1886
Page 7
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USA 14 Apr 2019
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