| Seth McKinney | |
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Murder at Muncie. Special to the Sentinel Muncie, Ind., March 29. The people were shocked this morning to receive tbe news of the killing of Seth McKinney by Ira Miller, at Gilman Station ten miles west of here, last evening. Both men formerly lived here and are well known in this County. The facts are as follows, the information being gleaned from an eye-witness: At 9 o'clock last evening, at Gilman, a small station on the Lake Erie and Western Railway, ten miles west of here, Ira Miller, son of Jacob Miller, the well-known merchant and farmer of this County, while engaged in a quarrel with Seth McKinney, a former resident of Muncie, drew a pistol and shot him through the heart. It is said that at one time last summer McKinney made the drawing for a new gate which he intended having patented (or at least said he so intended), and that he put up an arrangement with an accomplice whereby the right of certain territory was traded to a gentleman north of Muncle. The gentleman who traded for the territory commenced looking about with a view to the manufacture of the gate, when McKinney, learning of the transaction, went to him, and showing him his plats and drawings, explained that the person who had traded the right for the gate did it without authority. The outcome of the visit was McKinney received a fine young horse, in compromise of the unauthorized purchase, and to quiet his nerves in the matter. Ira Miller learned of this transaction, and believing the gentlemen purchased the right of the gate, had been swindled, so stated to a party when in Muncie. This assertion reached the ears of the purchaser, who went to see Miller and McKinney, and Gillman. Some trouble arose between the genius and the buyer, and Miller, being the instigator, by the declaration he had made to a party in this city, was brought directly into the trouble. It resulted in making Miller and McKinney deadly enemies. At the place and time stated above Miller and McKinney met. It was In front of Jacob Miller's store. A quarrel ensued. The conversation finally ended abruptly. Both men uttered oaths, and Miller drew a pistol and fired. Tbe ball entered McKinney's left breast and penetrated his heart. McKinney walked about twenty feet and fell dead. Ira walked into his father's store, gave the keys to the clerk, then went out to his horse, and springing on his horse rode rapidly away to his father's home, about four miles distant. Before leaving Gilman young Miller remarked to some one that he Intended going to Anderson and delivering himself up to the Sheriff of Madison County, in which County the shooting occurred. It is understood that Ira concluded, after consulting his parents, that it would be best for him to not attempt to escape, but remain and trust in the mercy of the law. It is rumored here to-night that Miller went to Anderson and gave himself up, this morning, but the Sentinel correspondent has no positive information to that effect. The Coroner of Madison County is holding an inquest over the remains of the deceased, at Gilman. | |
Special to the Sentinel Muncie, Ind.. March 31. The following is the Coroner's verdict in the tragedy at Gilman: I, the undersigned. Coroner of Madison County to inquire into and a true presentment make in what manner and by whom, Seth McKinney came to his death, whose body was found March 28, 188,. at Gilman Station, Monroe Township. Madison County, Indiana. After having heard the evidence and examined the body, I do find that the deceased came to his death by a pistol shot, fired by Ira Miller, at 5 o'clock p. m.. on the 28th day of March, A. D. 1881; and that said Ira Miller fired said pistol shot upon, and against the said McKinny violently, and upon a sudden heal of passion: that the pistol shot entered the left breast of the said Seth McKinney, passing directly throngh the heart, causing death immediately; and that said pistol shot was the cause of the said McKlnney's death; and that the said Ira Miller is guilty of manslaughter, by inflicting said violence, Michael Ryan. Coroner ot Madison County. Up to last night Miller had not been arrested, but was at Gilman, transacting business as usual. It is probable that he will soon be called to answer to the charge ofi manslaughter. |