Royal Vorhees, Obituary/Death NoticePorter County obituaries and death notices . . . .
Royal Vorhees
A SAD MISUNDERSTANDING.
Through Which Loyal Vorhees Lost His Life.
Last Tuesday morning the body of Royal Vorhees, a son of Benjamin Vorhees, well known hereabouts, was brought to Chesterton for interment. The boy was a victim of a tragedy which occurred at Champaign, Ills., on the 10th inst. The particulars which are taken from the Chicago Herald by request of the boy's father, and which he says is a truthful version of the affair.
CHAMPAIGN, Ill., Oct. 11. -- A tragedy occurred in this city last night in which one man was instantly killed and another seriously and probably fatally wounded. A crowd of workmen were ending the week with a little gayety. During the evening one named Hunt became so intoxicated that his friends concluded to take him home. On their way home they were followed by a young man named Renner and two others. Finally Creek and Voorhees, who had charge of Hunt, stopped and some kind of melee took place. Voorhees was shot and instantly killed and Creque was seriously wounded. Voorhees when picked up had an open knife in his hand. Renner remained here until the 10 o'clock train, when he went to his home in Tuscola, where he was arrested to day by Marshal Clancy, of this city. Renner is but nineteen years of age and is a very quiet and modest appearing youth. He seems to have made no effort to escape, his going to his home in Tuscola being his usual custom every Saturday night since he has been at work in this city. Royal Voorhees, the murdered man, came here three weeks ago from Michigan City, Ind. On his person several letters were found, one being from his mother, Mrs. Mary E. Voorhees, Laporte, Ind. He was shot through the heart. Robert Creque is thirty-two years old, has been here about two weeks, and came from Crawfordsville, Ind., where he has a wife and three children. He has been at work at his trade in this city. He will probably die from his wounds. It appears that Renner is an old-time friend of Hunt. Seeing him in charge of Voorhees and Creque, who were strangers, Renner became suspicious and followed them. Voorhees and Creque being followed, likewise thought Renner and his friends were trying to get Hunt for his money. Both parties were evidently looking out for the welfare of Hunt and entirely misunderstood each other. This misunderstanding caused the tragedy.
Roayl Voorhees was born in Chesterton in April, 1862, and was a plasterer by trade, and unmarried. His father now lives on a small farm in Laporte county between Michigan City and Laporte. He says when he left Champaign with the body of his boy the coroner was still holding the inquest. The murderer was in custody and his opinion was that he would get a life sentence. Speaking of him Mr. Voorhees said: I saw Renner, who is a boy 19 years old. He has an unbalanced head and an evil eye. That is all I will say regarding my opinion of him." The funeral services were held in the M. E. church, and the remains buried in the Chesterton Cemetry Tuesday forenoon.
Newspaper: The Tribune
Date of Publication: October 16, 1891
Volume Number: 8
Issue Number: 27
Page: 1
Column(s): 6
Key to Newspaper Publication Locations:
Newspapers Published in Chesterton, Porter County, Indiana
Chesterton Tribune
The Tribune
Westchester Tribune
Newspapers Published in Valparaiso, Porter County, Indiana
Porter County Vidette
Practical Observer
Valparaiso Practical Observer
Vidette and Republic
Western Ranger
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Obituary/death notice transcribed by Steven R. Shook