The Indianapolis Journal

A GHASTLY FIND.

The Body of Watson N. Clark Found Hanging in an Alley—Evidently a Case of Suicide.

On Saturday night, about 9 o'clock, a man was found hanging to a fence in the alley between Pennsylvania and Meridian streets, north of Market. The discovery was made by Mat. Daywalt, a plumber, who was passing through the alley, and, after calling assistance, the body of the man was taken down. By fastening a short piece of rope to the inside of the fence, which was about five feet high, and placing a noose about his neck, he had hung himself, but had to hold his feet up at least six inches to keep from touching the ground. He was dead when found, but evidently had not been hanging longer than twenty minutes. The body was taken to the undertaking establishment of Kregelo & Whitsett, and in searching the clothing of the stranger, several letters were found addressed to Watson N. Clark, Cardington, O. Among the letters was one from Jasper Clark, of Walnut, Penn., a brother of the deceased. A postal card from his daughter and a letter from his son were also found. The letter from his brother spoke of an effort to obtain an increase of his pension, and it is shown from a discharge found among the papers that he was, during the late war, a lieutenant of company E, Sixty-sixth Ohio regiment. He had a railroad ticket with the date of Friday, Sept. 28, stamped upon it for his fare between Cardington, O., and Lafayette. Nothing was found, however, indicating the cause of his suicide. He was apparently about fifty-five years old, of medium stature and would probably weigh about 150 pounds.

A telegram was sent to Cardington, O., notifying John Clark of the death, and a reply was received directing that the body should be sent to Cardington, where it was forwarded last night at 11 o'clock.