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Author: peggykarol
Surnames: DEWEESE, FINNING, HENNICK, MORTON, PEIRCE, SUTTON,
Classification: queries
Message Board URL:
http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.indiana.counties...
Message Board Post:
The Indianapolis Star Monday, December 12, 1921
Pg 16B; Col 2
CAR STRIKES AMBUANCE
Auto carrying Hartford City Veterinarian, Declared Insane After Suicide Attempt, Hit Here
An ambulance bearing Dr. R. E. Wise, a veterinary surgeon of Hartford City, Ind., who
attempted to kill himself by shooting himself with a shotgun Friday, and who was saved
from ending his life by his 15 -year-old son, who took the gun from his father forcibly,
was struck at Alabama and Michigan street Saturday night by a Central avenue street car.
The ambulance, which was enroute to the Methodist hospital, was demolished.
Others who were in the are were: Dr. R.E. DeWeese of Hartford City and Dr. C. D. Morton of
Greenfield, who attended Dr. Wise during the trip; A. E. Finnig Hartford City, undertaker
and owner of the ambulance; Clarence Sutton and Arliss Hennick, deputy sheriffs.
Dr. Wise Uninjured.
Hennick, Sutton and Dr Morton, who were badly bruised and cut by flying gas, are also
patients at the hospital. The others, including Dr. Wise, escaped uninjured. The
motorman of the street car was B. B. Helton, 915 Stillwell Street.
Dr. Wise was declared insane by Justice of the Peace Elisha Pierce, who held court in the
county jail in Hartford City, where the Veterinarian was confined after the shooting.
At the time of the attempted suicide, Mrs. Wise was away from the home, and their son
Nelson was with his father. Dr. Wise went into the bedroom and found his father preparing
to shoot himself a second time.
Nelson seized the shotgun and struggled with his father until neighbors, aroused by the
shot, came to his aid.
Despite the severe wound, Dr. Wise struggled until it required the combined efforts of
several men to overpower him. He was taken to the jail and placed in a straight jacket,
while physicians dressed his wound and prepared him for the journey to Indianapolis.
I am not descendent from this family, but I have transcribed this article in the hope that
it will help someone researching this family.
Peggy Karol
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