Hinshaw - homicide - Montgomery InGenWeb Project

The Hinshaw homicide was the most sensational in the criminal history of the state. Rev. William E. Hinshaw, pastor of the leading Methodist Church at Belleville, and connected with the wealthiest family in the county, was accused of murdering his wife in order to further his liaison with Allie Ferree, the wealthiest and prettiest girl in the vicinity. His accuser was Detective H. C. Webster, of Indianapolis, who worked for the $4,000 reward offered for the detection of the slayer of Mrs. Hinshaw. The case was shrouded in mystery at first and everyone believed Hinshaw’s statement that robbers killed his wife and wounded him on the early morning hours of January 10 last. Detective Webster narrowly escaped being lynched when he caused Hinshaw’s arrest, but subsequent developments aroused interest in the detective’s claims and at the close of the trial, two thirds of the people believed the minister guilty. -s