Indianapolis Times, Volume 42, Number 36, Indianapolis, Marion County, 21 June 1930 — Page 1
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STATE TO DEMAND SCHROEDER7S LIFE
STOCKS ARE POUNDED DOWN BY TERRIFIC SELLING DRIVE IN EARLY HOURS OF TRADING
United States Steel Breaks to 154, a New Low for Year. BLAME MELLON VIEWS Secretary’s Statement Made Under Duress, Is Wall Street Rumor. Bu United Prctt NEW YORK, June 21. Bears drove leading stocks down 1 to 12 points in the first hour today on the Stock Exchange. United States Steel, principal target of attack broke to anew low for the year at 154, off 3*4 from the previous close. Several other leaders went through their lows of 1930. American Can touched 11114, off 514 and anew 1930 low. New lows also were made by Bethlehem Steel at 77, off 3; Allied Chemical, 239, off 12; Auburn Auto, 95>4, off 8; J. I. Case, 165, off 6, and Hudson Motors, 28 M, off 1.
Fear Further Breaks Eastman Kodak broke 11 Vi to 181; Worthingtona Pump BV4 to 116; Loew’s 5Vi to 60; American Telephone 37s to 202 Vi; Atchison 5Vi to 207%; Standard of New Jersey 2% to 62; General Electric 3Vi to 6694, and Columbia Gas 4Vi to £9 Vi. Support came from time to time but offerings were too great. Thousonds of shares were thrown overboard for w’hat they would bring by the traders who feared iurther breaks. At 11 a. m. tickers were only twelve minutes late, however, and trading volume was only slightly over yesterday. At 10:30, the latest report on sales by the exchange, Volume was reported at 650,800 Chares, against 503,500 in the same period Friday. At 11 a. m. some support was noted here and there. Steel was luck to 154 Vi; American Can 112. On the other hand, many issues were lower. New York Central made anew low so rthe year at 155’i, off l"s and Standard of New Jersey dipped to 61 %, where it was off 2V4 net. Mellon Statement Blamed Bears took advantage of the Mellon tariff statement to launch their drive. The secretary of the treasury carefully guarded against definite predictions that Wall Street had expected. Rumors were spread that the Mellon statement had been made under duress and that conditions did not justify any optimistic uttreance. These rumors were successful in stirring discontent. Weekly business reviews were not encouraging, either, stating th.t business was now entering the dullest time of the year. Commodity prices continued to decline, further unsettling the stock market, made new lows at the opening and cotton futures broke mort than $1.25 per bale.
HOGS TURN LOWER IN TRADE AT CITY YARDS Cattie and Veal Markets Steady; Sheep Sales Weak. Hogs again turned downward today at the Union Stockyards, prices ranging 10 cents to 15 cents off. The bulk, 160 to 300 pounds, sold for $9.65, this price representing the top paid. Cattle receipts were estimated at 3,500; holdivers were 217. Cattle were steady, with receipts of 200. Vealers held unchanged at $lO down. Calf receipts were 100. The tendency was lower in sheep, with not many on hand to sell above sll. Receipts were 200. Chicago hog receipts u’ere 8/M), Including 6,000 direct. Holdovers were 4,000. A few sales to shippers were steady with Friday’s average; good to choice around 180-pound weights selling at $9.60; few loads of lights and medium lightweight packing sows. $8.25 to $8.50. Cattle receipts were 500; sheep, 4,000. THIRTEEN SENTENCED Penalties Now Fixed on 24 in Federal Liquor Conspiracy Case. By Timet Special TERRE HAUTE. Ind., June 21. Os forty-six men indicted on charges of conspiracy to violate the national dry law, twenty-four are now under sentence, penalties having been imposed on thirteen in federal court here Friday by Judge Robert C. Baltzell. Eleven had been sentenced previously. The thirteen sentenc'-d include Ray Foncannon, former Vigo county shen f. eighteen months in prison and $2,000 fine; John Jensen, former Vigo county Republican chairman, eighteen months and SI,OOO ' fine; Marino Bonacorsi. Clinton, who supplier stills with sugar, eighteen months and $5,000 fine. Hourly Temperatures 6 a. m 70 8 a. m—. 75 k 7a. m..... 72 9a. m..... 79
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The Indianapolis Times Generally fair tonight and Sunday; slightly warmer tonight.
VOLUME 42—NUMBER 36
Baby Sleuth 4-Year-Old Louise May Send Alleged ‘Tape Gang’ to Jail.
Bu United Prctt Chicago, June 21.—The keen memory of 4-year-old Louise Patterson was counted upon today to put an end to Chicago’s daring “tape gang” of house robbers. Thousands of dollars in loot from fashionable homes was stolen last winter by the gang whose members made a practice of gagging and binding their victims with adhesive tape. Their most daring robbery netted $23,000 in jewels from the home of Charles M. Richter, millionaire publisher. Louise’s mother. Mrs. Kathleen Patterson, told police several weeks ago to “ask Harry Lewis” when they questioned her about the “tape gang.” Mrs. Patterson was being held in connection with another case. “She’s jealous,” said Lewis, a handsome youth of 26 when police told him of Mrs. Patterson’s implication. “I’ve just been married and she (Mrs. Patterson) wanted to marry me.” Detectives took Lewis to Mrs. Patterson’s apartment and asked Louise if he ever visited her mother. “Sure ” Louise replied. “He and some other nen used to come to our place "to play a game called “Prisoners.” Mr. Lewis would tie the other men’s hands behind their backs and bind up their mouths with adhesive tape. "Then Mr. Lewis would stand back and say, ‘Try to get loose. Can you holler or move your hands?’ ‘But they couldn’t and Mr. Lewis would say ‘lt’ll work.’ ” Police said they would bring other suspected mem bars of the “tape gang” to visit Louise.
TWO BOYS HURT IN CARMISHAP Run Down by Auto; Driver Faces Charges. Two small boys and a woman were in serious condition at city hospital today as a result of auto accidents late Friday. Dewey Heininger, 3, son of Mr, and Mrs. Thomas Heininger, 515 Parker place, suffered a possible skull fracture, and Antonio Scolaro, 4, son of Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Scolaro, 4, son of Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Scolaro, 605 East McCarty street, was cut painfully when struck by an auto as they ra nacross South Greer street, near their home Thursday afternoon. The children were hit by an auto driven by Anthony Venzia, 17, of 608 South Hast street, who was arrested on charges of assault and battery and reckless driving. Mrs. Annie Rodgers, 33, of 605 Leclede street, suffered severe injuries when the car driven by her husband, George Rodgers, 45, collided with anohter auto at Holt road and West Washington street, Thursday night. Alexander Bailey, 32, of 907 Coffey street, driver of the other car, was arrested.
In the Air Weather conditions at 9 a. m.: Southwest wind, three miles an hour; temperature, 79; barometric pressure, 29.88 at sea level; ceiling, unlimited; visibility, five miles; field, good. New York Stocks Opening (By James T. HamiU & Cos.) —June 21— Open Open Auburn Mtrs ..103 Ins Common.... 54 s * Bendlx Av 30 H Lion Oil 21 Bora War 36-VMnh Dearb 31>i Cent Pub Sec A. 30Marsh Field 36 s * Chic Cos com... 11 s * Mid Util 27 Chic Cos pfd... 39 s 4 Mo Kan Pipe... 22’t Cities Serv 27 s * Nor Am Lt &Po 65> Constr Mat ptd 38 'h Sparks Nob ... 45!* Cord Coro 7 ÜBRa & Tel... 17V. Grig Oru 18 (Util & Ind com. IS Koud Her B 11 I Util & Indus old 21 !4 Road Route Fixed By Times Special ANDERSON, Ind.. July 21.—A long controversy over the route of a paved road to connect Anderson and Elwood has been settled insofar as Madison county commissioners are concerned, and the matter has been passed to the county council. The commisisoners approved a petition for what is known as the Dale J. Noland road, to run through Frankton. Approval was given plans and specifications for tile new Madison avenue bridge, ad the project was also referred to the council with a request for a $141,478.26 appropriation, Burns Cause Death 8u Timet Special TERRE HAUTE. Ind., June 21. Funeral services were held today for Henry Schoemehl, 27, who died of burns suffered while engaged in work as a machinist. He was cleaning a blow torch when fumes from gasoline became ignited, and set fire to greasy clothing he wore.
SWEETHEART LIKE A VENUS—A WIFE HAGGARD, WORRIED
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Mrs. Leah Schroeder
Paradoxical Character of Prisoner Reflected in Two Women. Bu Timet Special MOBILE, Ala., June 21.—The paradoxical character of Harold Herbert Schroeder —quiet, aloof, yet by own confession, capable of burning a human body—brings two radically different types of women into the Indianapolis torch car mystery wife—Mrs. Leah Schroeder—is haggard, worried, her face angular, her skin discolored and shrunken over too-prominent cheek bones. The girl he asked to “disappear” with him on the eve of his departure from Mobile for Indianapolis where his blazing car was found with its cargo of a mans body, is a beautiful blonde, with light-col-ored, large eyes, of the Venus type. Lived in Slum Section Miss Gertrude Kittrell, the alleged clandestine mistress, of whom Mrs Schroeder complained to Mobile police several weeks before Schroeder left for Indianapolis, has taken the Schroeder case calmly. That she has known Schroeder was in Mobile is regarded as certain by investigators. Mrs. Schroeder and the Schroeder family lived In a three-room “shotgun” type house In the slum section of the city. Schroeder made trips with Miss Kittrell and patronized the best hotels, it is alleged. Despite the fact Mrs. Schroeder abandoned the home on which she says she was unable to pay the $25 monthly rental, she wears expensive clothing and has a considerable wardrobe. The two women have one thing in common. . A .. Mrs. Schroeder throughout the case, under repeated questioning by authorities at Mobile, refused until Thursday afternoon to admit she knew her husband was alive or that she had heard from him. Refuse to Give Information Thursday afternoon, when Indianapolis investigators questioned her, they worked upon her anger at his affair with Miss Kittrell and finally she admitted receiving letters from him after the torch car was found. Miss Kittrell, like Mrs. Schroeder, has refused continually to give officicls any information of value in the c:se. She declared two mysterious absences from Mobile where when she was at New Orleans. Authorities now believe she spent the time with Schroedß;*.
BUTLER SCHEDULES SCHOOL OF RELIGION Fourth Annual Summer Institute to Be Held July 2 to 4. Fourth annual summer institute of the Butler university College of Religion will be held July 2 to 4. Dean Frederick Kershner, announced today. Dr. A. T. Robertson, of the Southern Baptist Seminary', Louisville, Ky., will be the principal speaker. He will deliver six lectures on “Paul and the Intellectuals.” Other speakers will include: R. L. McQuery, Anderson; Daniel Sommer, Linn A. Tripp, Ephraim LoweMrs. Maud Lucas Rumpler, and Bert Wilson, all of Indianapolis; O. E. Kelley, Terre Haute; Carl Barnett, Lebanon; Bernard P. Smith, Evansville, and A. P. Wilson. Ft. Wayne. Rabies Spread Feared By United Press SALEM, Ind., June 20.—Fear of a rabies epidemic has caused drastic action by the town board here for the second time this year. All dogs without leashes must be muzzled, and any found without muzzles will be killed.
Chivalry! By United Pres* BELLEVILLE. HI., June 21. Because her husband “hammered. her at will” and refused to come to her aid when a cow stood on her, Mrs. Julius Caesar has a divorce. Mrs. Caesar explained that while she was milking a cow she s fell and another cow *>■' and on her. • bay husband stood by and laughed,” she testified.
INDIANAPOLIS, SATURDAY, JUNE 21,1930
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Miss Gertrude Kittrell
Schroeder Statement
'T'HE statement obtained from Harold Herbert Schroeder by State’s Solicitor Eart B. Chamberlain at Mobile, Ala., follows: “My name is Harold Schroeder. I am 35 years of age. I an| married and I have two children. My residence is 264 South Hamilton street. I left Mobile, Ala., about May 20, 1930, in the morning about 10 or 11 o’clock in my Chrysler ' automobile, the same automobile found burned near Indianapolis. I went from here by way of Citronelle and up through Waynesboro, Quitman, and Meridian, Miss. “While I was near Citronelle I picked up two young white men, one approximately 21 and the other one about 18 or 19. They did not tell me their names. I stopped at Quitman. Miss., and Meridian, Miss., on business calls. I saw a boy named Guie Coggins at Meridian, Miss., whom I knew. I also saw Lawrence White, whom I knew. I also saw a fellow named Zachary, whom also I know. “I stopped at Quitman, Miss., about twenty or twenty-five minutes, in Meridian a couple of hours. I went on to St. Louis. Outside of stopping along the road for something to eat and for gasoline for my car I stopped no where else. I stopped at Fruitdale, Ala., on the way up and saw Guy Britton of Mobile. I was there about ten minutes. It took me about three days to go to St. Louis. I stayed at a hotel in St. Louis, but do not remember the name. I stayed there one day and night. I did not see any one in St. Louis whom I knew, nor did I transact any business there. “I left St. Louis and went over through Illinois toward Indianapolis and made no stops except a few minutes at several small places. I stopped at a rooming house in Indianapolis, but I do not remember the name nor the street. I know where it is and could locate it. I locked my car and left it on the street near the rooming house when I was there and I did not place it in any garage. “T WAS in Indianapolis about a 1 week or close to it and I went over to Louisville and Cincinnati and a few other towns around there. “I was present at the race in Indianapolis on Decoration day. I drove my car out to the race track. I went out there by myself. I never met anybody I knew while at the race. I chatted with several persons who were sitting near me at the race. I made no acquaintances up till this time except to meet people casually and talk with them. “I did not do so much after the race. I collected some money that I had won at the race. I do not care to tell how much. That does not particularly concern this case. “I checked out of the boarding house to come home after the race. I decided I would get on as far as I could that night. “I drove on to Terre Haute, coming toward Mobile. When miles the other side of Terre Haute all the bad part happened. "I had picked up a boy on the road to give him a ride, like a damn fool. I do not know his name. He was about 25 or 30 years of age. All I know was what he told me in talkn ' to me a little. He told me that lived in Massachusetts, I believe. not know how he was dressed. ”He asked me for a ride an I picked him up and he got in the car with me. He rode practically from Indianapolis over to this point on the other side of Terre Haute. This was about thirtyfive miles the other side of Terre Haute. * m * “T HAD been up pretty late the JL night before and the night before than also. And he had gone to sleep even before I got to Terre Haute. When I was thirty-five miles on the other side of Terre Haute I went to sleep also, and when I awoke a second or two to Page 3)
EXPECTED TO WAIVE FIGHT OVERRETURN Definite Decision Whether to Battle Extradition at Noon. START TRIP LATE TODAY Admits Burning Car With Body in It After Fatal Accident. B;/ Timet Special MOBILE, Ala., June 21.—At noon today Harold Herbert Schroeder, Mobile business man accused of arson and facing possible murder charges in the Indianapolis torch car mystery of May 31, was to signify whether he would return to Indianapodis without court procedure to face the charges. At midnight Friday, under questioning by authorities, he expressed willingness to waive extradition, but refused to sign the waiver papers at the time. He declared he wanted to “clean up some matters concerning my business and children.” Start of the Indianapolis investigators back to Indianapolis with Schroeder in their automobile was scheduled for 1:30 this afternoon in case Schroeder carries through his promise to waive extradition. Car Went Into Ditch En route he will be subject to intensive questioning as to the crime. He has admitted burning of his automobile with the body of a man within it, but denies violence toward the man whose charred body was found. . _ He declares the man, a hitch hiker, was killed when Schroeder s automobile went into a ditch west of Terre Haute and that he drove the body back to the High School road outside Indianapolis, where e fired the car, fearing a charge of murder against himself. Schroeder, agreeing to return to Indianapolis, stipulated that he not be handcuffed and Sheriff Georg Winkler of Indianapolis agreed. Schroeder’s story of the car burning and death of the unidentified man whose body was found in the ruins, is looked upon as improbable by investigators. Picked Up Hitch-Hiker Calmly he asserted that, leaving Indianapolis after the Speedway races, he picked up a youthfid hitch-hiker. He did not ask the youth , his name or residence, but says the youth mentioned Massachusets during the trip. The youth fell asleep in the front seat at his side, Schroeder claims. Schroeder, who had been awake for two nights, says he fell asleep at the wheel about thirty miles west of Terre Haute, and that the car went into a ditch. When the shock awoke him, he says, he saw the hitch-hiker lying on the car floor, his neck broken.
Feared Murder Charge He turned and drove back toward Indianapolis, through Teire Haute, with the body in his car, he claims. Fearing he would be accused of murder, he stopped outside Indianapolis, dashed gasoline on his car and fired it, he said. Leading the scene he rode into Indianapolis with a couple in an automobile who believed him a hitchHe remained in Indianapolis until Saturday night, he declared. and then started south, hitch hiking Louisville, where he took a us Nashville, and then made his way through Birmingham to Mobile. After his arrest Schroeder was interviewed by investigators. Sheriff George Winkler, Deputy Prosecutor George Eggleston, Detective John Stump and Deputy Sheriff Fred Fox of Indianapolis, who had left Mobile for a return trip north two hours before Schroeder’s arrest, returned to Mobile from Montgomery, Ala., where they learned of the capture. Capture Is Sensational At midnight Sheriff Winkler and the investigators questioned Schroeder. He maintained the story told earlier to Mobile officials. He was visited at the jail by his brother, Ernest W. Schroeder of Evanston, HI., and his brother-in-low, Lynn L. Sams of Elkhart, Ind., and by wife, Mrs. Leah Schroeder. Schroeder’s capture Friday afternoon was sensational. Earl C. Dykes, Mobile garage owner, was told by a friend that Schroeder was in Mobile and had been seen t/iar the vacant lot. Dykes informed Sheriff Byrnes, who failed to act during the morning, he claims. In the afternoon Dykes got a re-
‘OTHER WOMAN’SPLITS WITH SCHROEDER
Bu Times Special MOBILE, Ala., June 21.—Making no effort to see her jailed lover, Miss Gertrude Kittrell, the “other woman” in the life of Harold Herbert Schroeder, Indianapolis torch car mystery case prisoner, visited the county *s*X today and brought a letter Schrceder.
ARREST CLIMAX TO LIFE OF ADVENTURE BY ALOOF DREAMER
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Harold Herbert Schroeder
volver and a pair of handcuffs and went to the lot. He crawled cautiously along a path he found in the weeds and found Schroeder lying down, asleep. Covering Schroeder with his revolver, Dykes ordered the fugitive to raise his hands. Schroeder did so reluctantly, Dykes said. Dykes, handcuffed him and took him to the county jail. Wearing white trousers and in his short sleeves, Schroeder puffed at a cigaret at the county jail. He refused to pose for newspaper photographers. “You have one picture of me and it looks better than I do now,” he declared. Foraged for Food? He wore a cap and heavy rimmed glasses. He had a mustache. When he left Mobile for Indianapolis before the torch car case he was smooth shaven. His declaration that he had been in the weeded lot for the entire week and had made nightly foraging expeditions for food were discounted by authorities. That his wife, Mrs. Leah Schroeder; his radiator business foseman, R. A. MacMahon, and his alleged paramour, Miss Gertrude iKttrell, have known of his presence in Mobile and have aided him is belief of officials.
COOLIDGE AS COLUMNIST Cal to Write Daily New York Herald-Tribune. By United Press NEW YORK, June 21.—Former President Calvin Coolidge will contribute a daily article of from 150 to 200 words in length to the New York Herald-Tribune, beginning July 1, according to an announcement today. Th announcement said Coolidge would not be restricted in his subject and would send his articles to the newspaper daily, except Sunday, for at least a year, contributing nothing to other publications during that period.
COMPANY NAME WRONG John A. Hunt Incorrectly Identified in Hawkins Criticism. John S. Hunt, surety bondsman, is not manager of the Commercial Casualty Company as stated Thursday in The Times. M. H. Miller i% manager of that company. Hunt was incorrectly identified in a story in which he denied accusing Omer Hawkins, former Sheriff, and surety bondsman, of threatts?.g county road contractors with “los* of business” unless they provided bond through Hawkins. Policeman’s Wife Jailed By Times Special ANDERSON, Ind., June 21.—Mrs Iris Ellis Alfonte, wife of Willard Alfonte, city policeman, was arrested and placed in jail to remain until she arranges to pay a S4O fine assessed against her a few months ago on an intoxication charge. Her husband is on a vacation.
The letter follows: “Dear Harold: Why did you have to get yourself into this trouble. I came down to see you this afternoon and was refused admission and don’t suppose I am wanted now. Where do I stand in this case? I suppose it had better end here between us. “It hurt me so when you lied to van about goipg to New Orleans
Entered as Second-Class Matter at Postoffice. Indianapolis, lnd.
By Staff Correspondent MOBILE, Ala., June 21.—Bespectacled, quiet, aloof, Harold Herbert Schroeder, Indianapolis torch car prisoner, was calm today as he faced return to Indianapolis, long hours of grilling on his story of the accidental death of the unidentified torch car victim, and trial on charges of arson or possibly murder. A dreamer, Harold Herbert Schroeder nevertheless, is an adventurer —both in his day dreams and actual life. In 1915, he fought as a machine gunner in a revolutionary armv in Mexico. This adventure was the major one of life. Next perhaps was his service as a mechanic sergeant with the American flying forces during the World war. Schroeder was known as aloof and quiet. His career proved him unsuited for success as a business man His radiator shop was due to his foreman, R. a. MacMahon, friends nere declared today, and not to Schroeder’s own qualities. Boasted of Hunting Prowess Schroeder paid little attention to the radiator business. He took long tups, and boasted of his hunting prowess. His hunting trips, however, almost were invariably solitary excursions. That a fiction story he read in an adventure-story magazine in April may have dictated his actions in the torch car mystery case is belief of friends here. Schroeder is a constant reader of detcive-flction magazines and other adventure type publictaions. Schroeder had paid considerable attention to the Grover Cleveland Bergdoll case several years ago. When captured at Mobile Friday afternoon he called attention of authorities to the case and declared he had planned to escape to Germany. Didn’t Finish School “You couldn’t have got me out of Germany,” he declared. “They haven’t brought Bergdoll btek, have they?” Bergdoll, son of a wealthy Philadelphia family, escaped a sentence for draft evasion during the Worlda war, escaped to Germany and resisted all efforts toa return him to the United States for trial. Schroeder did not finish grade school, but his extensive reading of fiction had given him a vocabulary and knowledge which caused those who jn:<*t him to believe him well educated. Before entering the radiator repair business he opened a windshield repair shop. This business went into bankruptcy after but a short time. Clothed Expensively Schroeder three years ago collected insurance on a house he was purchasing when it was destroyed by fire. Schroeder was out of the city at the time. Doubt as to origin of the fire has developed since the torch car case at Indianapolis. Schroeder dressed in expensive clothing. The radiator repair business several years ago was an extensive business, but recently had been losing money, investigators here have learned.
on a business trip. Did you know that you were going up north when you told me your were going to New Orleans? "I don’t suppose we had better see each other, but I am inclosing some paper and hope that you will write to me, even if it is just a short note. Love,
NOON
Ontufde Marion County 3 Cents
TWO CENTS
INDICTMENT ON MURDER COUNT TO BEJSKED Death Penalty Is Mandatory for Killing in Arson Conviction. CASE TO JURY MONDAY, Warrants Are Rushed by Air Mail to Alabama From City. Indictment of Harold Herbert Schroeder, Mobile, Ala., prisoner in the High School road torch car mystery of May 31, on murder charges by the Marion county grand jury will be asked Monday. The death penalty is mandatory upon conviction under the 1929 Hartzell act under which Schroeder might be indicted, a statute against murder committed in perpetration of arson. Prosecuting Attorney Judson Stark today announced he will present evidence to the grand jury Monday, seeking indictment of Schroeder for murder of the unidentified man whose charred body was found in the car. Arson charges were filed against Schroeder in the court of Edward L. Dietz, justice of the peace, here Thursday afternoon and warrants were rushed by air mail to Mobile. An additional charge of conspiracy to defraud insurance companies is possible in the case. Legal Complications Indictment and trial of Schroeder presents legal complications unprecedented in the history of Marlon county criminal court, it was revealed today. While authorities from three branches of county government prepared to return Schroeder to Indianapolis from Mobile (Ala.), Prosecutor Judson L. Stark today began compiling of all evidence in the case for submission to the grand jury Monday. Stark disclosed today that Schroeder will be summoned before the jury immediately upon his return. All persons who had any connection with the finding of Schroeder’s automobile blazing on the High School road, with its cargo of an unidentified man’s charred body, will appear before the grany Jury in the murder indictment Investigation. Deny Neck Was Broken Included among witnesses will be Jack Allen of Clayton and Miss Ruby Blue of 715 North Delaware street, who found the blazing car and gave Schroeder, who they believed to be a hitchhiker, a ride Into the city in their car from the vicinity of the tragedy. Scoffing at Schroeder’s story that a hitch hiker he picked up was killed when Schroeder fell asleep at the wheel of his car and when it went in a ditch thirty miles west of Terre Haute, officials will base their demand for a murder indictment upon the supposition that the torch car victim was slain at or near the scene of the car blaze. Dr. Lwrence Lewis, deputy coroner, who made an autopsy, found death of the torch car victim due to a knife or bullet wound in the right chest of the charred body. The neck of the corpse had not been broken, Dr. Lewis declared today.
“Murder of an Unknown” Never before has the state of Indiana been called upon to convict a defendant of the murder of ?n unknown person, Stark said today. In even the grand jury indicts Schroeder for the fire degree murder of an unknown person, it will be necessary for the state to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Schroeder inflicted a wound that resulted in the death of that person, Stark said. Conviction for first degree murder under the latter circumstance carries as a penalty the alternative of death by electrocution or life imprisonment. Under the 1929 Hartzell statutes, prosecution may be based on a law that the murder was committed in the perpetration of arson. Conviction on this count makes the death penalty mandatory. Case Far From Complete The other alternative tor prosecution, Stark said, is a statute providing either the death penalty or life imprisonment for "whoever purposely, and with premeditated malice, kills any human being." This carries a penalty of death or life imprisonment. Abandonment by authorities of any robbery motive as reason for the crime will not permit application of the Hartzell law which leaves as a verdict the two alternatives of death or absolute freedom, Stark said. “While there has been quite a bit of strong circumstantial evidence throwing light on the crimes of arson and murder, the case is far from complete in detail,” prosecutor Stark Declared today. "A case of circumstantial evidence always is one of great difficulty, and at present Is especially difficult In this particular ***** - -. J*. .