William Lewellen, Indiana

This material was submitted by Christine West. Thank you Christine.

In Trouble Again

Readers of the Republican will recall the fact, published with much particularity at the time, that about three years ago a man named William Lewellen, of Jennings county, got hold of and swallowed a note which he had given to secure a donation previously promised to Hartsville University, to be paid at the death of the giver. He called upon the treasurer of the University one day, with his lawyer, and asked to see the note. The privilege being granted by the unsuspecting official, Lewellen deliberately swallowed it. Suit was instituted for the offense but Lewellen was victorious in the dismissal of the case, the court holding the act was not an offense in a legal sense. This man, Lewellen is in trouble again, and of a much more serious nature. On Monday night, Mrs. Lewellen dropped dead under circumstances that excited the suspicion of the neighbors. A coroner’s inquest was held and the woman’s stomach and a portion of the medicine she had been taking, were sent to a chemist at Indianapolis for analysis. Owing to the past conduct of the man and an adopted daughter, the neighbors assert their belief that a great crime has been committed, and are taking steps to have the parties arrested. Lewellen is wealthy. The N. V. Plain Dealer says that the woman charged her husband with attempting to poison her during her illness, but that no facts have yet appeared to warrant such a charge against Lewellen.

Source: The Evening Republican, Columbus Indiana, 4 AUG 1881

William Lewellen, the Jennings county wife poisoner arrested about ten days ago, committed suicide at North Vernon, on Saturday morning last. He was in the office of his attorney, the Hon. John Overmeyer, consulting him regarding his defense. While the attorney was engaged in writing, Lewellen stepped to a window and plunged headlong to the pavement twenty feet below. He was picked up in an unconscious condition, his skull fractured, and internally injured. Lewellen remained unconscious until noon, when he died and was freed from further earthly trials and tribulations.

Source: The Evening Republican, Columbus Indiana, 5 AUG 1881

The Death of a Zealous Christian

The North Vernon Sun of last week gives a. sketch of the life and death of William Lewellen who poisoned his wife a few weeks ago. It will be borne in mind that this good man has been a leading church member for many years and has maintained a high standing as a worker for Christianity.

Our readers are already familiar with the death of Mrs. Sarah Lewellen, the changes of venue taken by William Lewellen, her husband, who was charged with administering the- poison that caused her death, and the sending of the unfortunate womans stomach to a Dr. of Madison, who analysed it, and found enough strychnine therein to kill a horse, and it is only necessary for us to add that on Friday last the preliminary examination was resumed before Esq. Norris, and the evidence of Dr. Collin and a number of neighbors was so positive, that there was scarcely room to doubt that the prisoner would be recognized to court. In fact It is currently rumored that John Overmyer, attorney for the prisoner so informed him, and at the same time gave him to understand that some arrangement for fees most be made. On the morning following, Saturday, Marshall Knoll took Lewellen from the city jail to Overmyer office for consultation in regard - to his can and the arrangement of business matters, and while Overmyer was writing the notes that Lewellen had agreed to sign, -Frank Little, who was in the office noticed Lewellen looking out the window and leaning his body so far over the sill that he warned him of the danger of falling out. At this Lewellen drew back and in less time than it takes to write this sprang through the window and striking his head on the hard pavement below factored his skull. He waa then conveyed to the city hall, and an examination of his wounds made, when it was found that the entire crown of his skull had been loosened, and that his death was a mere matter of time. He lived less than three hours, during which time he never uttered a word.

Source: The Seymour Times, Seymour Indiana, 27 AUG 1881