Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 19, Number 34, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 31 December 1897 — Murder At Fowler. [ARTICLE]

Murder At Fowler.

The Treasurer of Benton Shot and His Safe Robbed. Sheriff Nate Reed received at dispatch from Fowler this morning that James Kirkley, treasurer of Benton Co. had been murdered and asking him to be on the watch for suspicious characters. Noporticulars of the murder were given but a brief dispatch from Lafayette in the Indianapolis Journal is her© copied. Lafayette, Ind., Dec. 30 —James Kirkley, treasurer of Benton county, was found dead in his office at Fowler at 1 o’clock this morning l . He was shot through the temple and a pistol was laying by his side* His own revolver was fonnd in bis desk. The drawers of the desk and safe were opened and the contents scattered about the office. Mr. Kirkley was serving his second term as treasurer. There is great excitement and a posse of citizens are out searching for the murders.