FARLOW, George - Montgomery InGenWeb Project

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FARLOW, George

GEORGE FARLOW - accused of murdering WALTER JOHNSON

Source: Crawfordsville Review Oct 17, 1916 p 1

"Look there what you did," exclaimed Detective Askin of the Indianapolis force, to George Farlow, as the two stood at the side of the dead body of Walter Johnson in the Hunt Undertaking Parlors last evening. Farlow had been brought from the jail and was on the way to Indianapolis, when the two detectives and Chief Ed. Hill, with the prisoner stopped at the chapel to take a last look at the remains. It was the first intimation that farlow had had, that Johnson was dead. "Look there what you did - you and your gas pipe." Farlow, now a dejected, haunted figure, looked at the swollen features of the dead and was able only to gasp, "No men I didn't do it." "Here is where the gas pipe crushed in his eye," continued the detective, pointing to the maimed face. Farlow shook his head, and continued to shake his head as the detective pointed to the dead body, calling attention to the blows that had been rained down on it. It was a tense, dramatic moment, and at the end of the day of hard work on the part of the Crawfordsville authorities, and the Indianapolis detective, to ferret out the mystery surrounding the death of Walter Johnson, who was found near the banks of White River in Indianapolis, insensible from wounds on his head, inflicted with a piece of gas pipe.

The Indianapolis men, believed that ample evidence has been secured to fasten - if not the crime, at least the knowledge of it on George Farlow. It was that that if Farlow had a confession to make, it would be made when he viewed the body. But Farlow only shook his head. What he might have added was stifled by his emotions. Plain clothes men, Houlihan and Askin of the Indianapolis Police Department arrived in the city by automobile yesterday near noon. The officers brought with them the coat and vest worn by Walter Johnson and found on him when he lay insensible in the undergrowth at the side of Lover's Lane near the river, Saturday night. The man had been stripped of shoes were found nearby but the trousers wer enot found near the body. It was evident however that they had been torn from the body as two buttons were found and the suspenders were torn out at the buttomholes. Before the arrival of the Indianapolis officers, Jere Long had gone to the mail and changed the trousers that George Farlow was wearing. Farlow had put on these early Sunday morning at his room in the Ramsey annex on Green Street. The trousers matched the coat and vest in fabric and makeup. In addition, the whole suit had been in some cleaning shop as it bore in indeible ink the nubers 6255. This number was on coat, vest and trousers. They belonged to the same suit and had been cleaned at the same time. Then, too, the trousers taken off of Farlow were minus the buttoms such as were found near the body. The buttons were sewed on the inside of the wasitband. They had been torn from the fabrice. There were blood spots on the pantloons and the cuffs had been lately turned down. As the matter rests, GEorge Farlow was wearing on Sunday the trousers of a suit that was worn by Walter Johnson when he went on his ill-fated trip to Indianapolis and "which had been torn from the ? body in Lover's Lane. In the forenoon, several conversed with Farlow at the jail. In all the talks had, he never referred to Johnson or inquired as to his condition. In a talk with Enoch Murphy, Farlow was anxious that Murphy cut another gas pipe and throw it out the back door at the factory so that it might be found. As a fellow employs at the factory, Murphy had cut a piece of gas pipe for Farlow, who claimed he wanted it for a sink drain for some property that he had recently inherited. Murphy showed him a short piece, but it was too short for Farlow. The 19" piece salted him, as handled it as one would a club. It was such a piece of pipe that he wanted Murphy to lose near the factory. Farlow got the pipe Saturday. Mrs. Pickett, where he rooms saw it in his room Saturday noon. It was also stated that Farlow tried to get several of the visitors at the jail to remember that he wa sin this city Saturday night between 5 o'clock and midnight. Detectives Askin and Houlihan accompanied by Chief Hill went at once to New Richmond to ascertain the import of the letters written to Walter Johnson by Miss Davidson of that place. The trip was not successful so far as gaining any evidence was concerned. Miss Davidson did not know anything about Farlow.

The Charley referred to in her letter is Walter, as having "done him a dirty trick," was but a jest and referred to Walter's brother Charley. Returning from New Richmond, the officers interviewed several persons who had seen Farlow with Johnson on the in-going car, and who had seen Farlow on the returning car that arrived here Sunday morning at 1 o'clock. Following the scene in the undertaken establishment, the detectives took Farlow to Indianapolis in the automobile. They stated that Farlow would be taken to the scene of the crime and given some further interrogation. In a conversation at the mail Monday Farlow said that his name was George Farlow although he had given it out tha this name was Charles Brown. His reasons for this, he said was that he had been married and separated from his wife. This was ten years ago, and he then lived at Lebanon. He said he continued to support his wife, although they lived separately at Lebanon. His statement was that his wife kept getting him in debt and that to avoid her, he moved here and changed his name.' Reports came from Jamestown that when Farlow visited in that place Sunday in company with the young woman, he was badly intoxicated, so much so that he was refused a meal at one place and went to another. At this place, his table manners were reported as not being up to the requirements as laid down by Chesterfield as he would frequently miss his mouth with the food. Farlow was seen to lose his hat Sunday by a passing autolat. He did not stop the horse and the hat was run over by the machine. A woman residing at the house nearby came out and recovered the hat, but Farlow never looked back. Farlow came on in town bareheaded and was so when arrested. Since Farlow's arrest many stories are being told concerning the man. One story is to the effect that Farlow constantly referes to the fact that he has an automobile and that on Saturday before the last one, he made a trip in his car to Bowling Green Kentucky, going and returning before Monday morning in time to go to work. - typed by kbz


Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Review Oct 24, 1916

Robert W. Caldwell of this city has been retained to defend George Farlow who is now in jail awaiting the action of the Marion County grand jury he in his investigation of the murder of Walter Jonson in that city on the ight of October 15. Farlow is held without bond and from the evidence secured with no doubt be charged by the body with knowledge of the deed. Mr. Caldwell was retained by the father of Farlow. The father is a resident of near Shannondale and has lived in western Boone County for many years except for a few spent in Indianapolis, where he worked at his trade of carriage builder. He returned to Shannondale vicinity a few years ago. While George Farlow frequently referred from his being from Kentucky, or having been to Bowling Green, leaving the impression he was a native, there as a matter of fact, he was reared in the western part of Boone County) and his people are highly respected although Farlow was rated as being wild. Through both his parents, Farlow is kin to many of the best people of that community, but has himself been of a roving nature and has not lived at home. After his marriage he lived principally in Lebanon, although it seems that he too, lived in Indianapolis. He states to the Indianapolis detectives that the was in St. Louis at the time of his brother's body was found in the canal of the capital city. Mr. Caldwell knows nothing of any defense that may be presented as he cannot know of what Farlow is charged until after the meeting of the grand jury of Marion County. Farlow's father only wants that his son have a fair trial and that his interests are looked after. He, of course, knows nothing of the matter except as he has read of it in the papers. Holmes & McCallister of Indianapolis will take care of the local matters in the case. This is the firm of which Fred McAllister is a partner - typed by kbz


Source: Indiana Certificate of Death - Center Twp, Marion County, Indiana

Died 10-14-1916 at City Hospital, Indianapolis, Ind
male, white single Born May 16, 1899 Frankfort, Ind age 23 years 4 months 28 days - laborer
Father; Rudolphus Johnson born Indiana
Mother: Sarah Swank born Indiana

Informant: Rudolphus Johnson, Crawfordsville

Fractured skull - struck with a piece of gas pipe - lacerated brain -

HOMICIDE Paul T. Robinson, Deputy Coroner

Usual Residence Crawfordsville

Buried: Oct 17, 1916 by Hisey & Titus 951 N. Delaware St.


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