Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 41, Number 73, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 June 1909 — MILLIONAIRE MURDER CASE AT LAFAYETTE. [ARTICLE]

MILLIONAIRE MURDER CASE AT LAFAYETTE.

Elias Ray, Wealthy Tippecanoe Couiv ty Man, Owning Land In Jasper County, Killed Conrad Ortman. A grand jury at Lafayette is Inquire ing into the killing of Conrad Orbman by Elias Ray, which occurred Tuesday night, May 25th. Ray is said to be a millionaire. Ha owns many broad acres of the best land in Tippecanoe county. He also owns considerable land in Jaspec county, having bought 1,900 acres of the Northern Indiana Land Co., part of which is in Jasper and part in Newton county. Ray is also well knows to horsemen here, now being the owoer of Bourbon Jay, the racing stal* ion of which A. L. Padgitt and others were one time owners, and during which time Ray had a half interest in the horse. He is a man about 6S years of age. Ortman worked foa him, and the particulars of his death are not known. Ray claims that he was being attacked by Ortman and killed him in self defense. Ray’s funeral Thursday was attended by a vast number of people, and indignation at the murder is very high. Ortman Is said to have been a man of exemplary; habits and not the sort of a man that would have tried to injure his employer. Ray’s wealth and prominence for a time seemed almost sufficient te keep him from being arrested, but finally the prosecuting attorney filed papers and caused him to be arrested. He was at opce admitted to bail in the sum of $25,000. The newspapers are handling the matter very cautiously'and apparently holding to the theory that the murder was committed in self defense, but many are of the opinion, so it is learned from persons who have visited Lafayette, that the murder waa committed in anger and was unprovoked. Money is a great advantage. To the murderer who expects to escape punishment it is almost indispensa<ble.