Kirtley - James 1898
Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Journal Friday, 7 January, 1898
Fowler, Ind., Jan. 3—The funeral services of the late County Treasurer James Kirtley, who committed suicide by shooting himself Thursday night, were held at the M. E. Church in Boswell, his old home. He was an Odd Fellow, Knight of Pythias and belonged to the A. O. U. W., all of which orders participated in the exercises at the grave, the Odd Fellows having charge.
Source: Boonville, Indiana Standard Fri 7 Jan 1898 p 3
A Fowler special - Wednesday night says: The family of James Kirtley treasurer of Benton County, alarmed at his non-appearance for supper, went to the office in the courthouse at 11 o'clock Wednesday night and found him dead upon the floor with a bullet in his temple. The safe and draws in the office were found open and his pistol was found in the safe. He evidently had been killed with another weapon. There is great excitement at Fowler. It is not known whether it is a case of suicide or murder, but indications point to the latter.
LATER - A Fowler special to the Indianapolis Journal Thursday night says - All indications today point to the fact that James Kirtley, Benton County's Treasurer, found dead at his office at 11 o'clock last night was murdered. The theory of suicide has been advanced and there have been assigned some plausible reasons why Mr. Kirtley might have taken his life, but this is scouted at and the best evidence taken from the surroundings of the treasurer's office in the courthouse leads straight to the theory "of murder." Mr. Kirtley's body was found by his 14-year-old-son Harry. Mr. Kirtley had failed to come home to supper and his family became alarmed. Harry went in search of him and after visiting all the place where he thought his father might be, he thought of the treasurer's office. He found the door locked, but was assited to the transom and saw his father's body lying on the floor.
The office is on the ground floor and it was noticed that one of the iron shutter's was open. An entrance was effected by this window and notes taken of the surroundings. The door was locked and the key lying a few feet from the door. Near the window several pennies were ofund and on the ground under the window was found a package of 25 pennies. On the inside of the stone window sill there were fresh blood stains. There were fresh but indistinct footprints under the window. They serve to knock out the suicide theory.
The coroner has not yet returned a verdict in the case. The examination of the body shows that two of the three shots penetrated the brain. This is another strong, almost positive reason to believe the man was murdered. It would be almost an impossibilkiuty for a man to fire a shot after having fired one into his own brain. One bullet entered the center of the forehead and another just above the back of the ear. The other shot struck above the right temple, but the bullet glanced off, making only a scalp wound. The face was slightly powder burned, but not to the extent that would be expected if the shots had been fired by a suicide. The county commissioners met today but they have found no irregularities thus far in the treasurer's office. Treasurer Kirtley had been one of the most prominent men in this county for some time but he has had personal and business troubles which gave him great worry. It is not impossible that his mind was affected. Judgements against him have pressed of late but as he was not a speculator it is not known what becamse of his money. His wife is wealthy and lives here with their daughter. One son is at Boswell another at Coffeyville, Kan and the whereabouts of the third is not known. Some time ago this boy caused his father considerable toruble and Mr. Kirtley was on the point, it is said of refusing to accept his office after he had been elected. Friends secure dhis bond for him and he was installed. Three men have been arrested and are being held in jail her epending an investigation.
Source: Seymour, Indiana Tribune 3 Jan 1898 p 1
Fowler, Ind Jan 3 - The funeral services of the late County Treasurer James Kirtley who committed sucide by shooting himself Thursday night were held at the ME Church in Boswell, his old home. He was an Odd Fellow, Knight of Pythgias and belonged to the AOUW all of which orders participated in the exerces at the grove, the Odd Fellows in charge.