Ft. Wayne (IN) Sentinel
March 8, 1918
page 1

MURDER OF NEWTON PLUMMER IS OUTCOME OF CONTROVERSY OVER THE WAR

Bedford, Indiana, March 8 – Following the finding of the body of Newton Plummer, 45, a farmer, in one of his fields last night with a bullet wound in the head, Joe Paffenburger, 45, was arrested early today and is held in jail charged with murder.

It is said there was a bitter controversy over the war some time ago in the Plummer-Paffenburger neighborhood, in which Paffenburger [noted elsewhere as Paffenberger] took the German side. Plummer was known as a very patriotic farmer.

Search for Plummer began last night when he failed to return to his home. When his body was found, bloodhounds were obtained and local police officials say they went to Paffenburger's home. The arrest was made immediately.

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FEELING RUNS HIGH

Bedford, Indiana, March 8 – Anti-German feeling was running high among farmers north of here today following the arrest of Joseph Paffenberger [noted elsewhere as Paffenburger], a German farmer charged with the murder of Newton Plummer who was one of the most patriotic farmers in his community.

When Plummer did not return home from a field where he was working last night, bloodhounds were placed on the trail. They followed a trail until two o'clock this morning when they reached the home of Paffenberger. Plummer had been ambushed by his assassin.

It was stated that Paffenberger and the murdered man had argued bitterly over the war, Paffenberger uttering pro-German sentiments.

When he was placed under arrest, officials said Paffenberger pretended that he was insane.

There were many expressions among farmers regarding what would be done if the murderer of Plummer is found and proven guilty. Authorities fear mob violence.

Ft. Wayne (IN) News Sentinel
June 12, 1918
page 12

EFFORTS TO GET JURY FOR TRIAL OF PAFFENBERGER

[United Press] Salem, Indiana, June 12 – Efforts to procure a jury to try Joseph Paffenberger on the charge of murdering Newton C. Plummer were continued today. Fifty men have been examined, but the jury has not been procured. A new venire was summoned late yesterday. Paffenberger is alleged to have shot Plummer from ambush following a quarrel over the war. Paffenberger is alleged to have had pro-German sentiments. Relatives of the two men from Lawrence, Jackson and Scott counties crowded the courtroom. Plummer was killed in Lawrence county but the...

Typed and donated by Randi Richardson.

Randi's note – The last four or five lines of this item were too dark to read.

Ft. Wayne (IN) News Sentinel
June 15, 1918
page 4

NEW TRIAL IS SOUGHT FOR INDIANA SLAYER

Salem, Indiana, June 15 –Attorneys for Joseph Paffenberger, found guilty of manslaughter in connection with the murder of Newton Plummer, were planning to ask for a new trial today. Plummer's body was found in a field in Lawrence County where he had been working. He had been shot from ambush. He had had trouble previously with Paffenberger who is alleged to have been pro-German.

Typed and donated by Randi Richardson.

Webmaster note: In the 1910 U. S. Census, a 38-year-old farmer, Newton C. PLUMMER, was listed in Flinn township, in Lawrence county, Indiana.