A 70-year-old Indiana man sat silently in a jail cell in April 1928 after a street shooting left one man dead and his brother critically wounded.
Authorities said Charles Blackstone had quarreled with brothers Ed and Wayne Stewart over money they allegedly owed him. Hours later, when the men returned to Blackstone’s cigar store and poolroom in Martinsville, the dispute turned deadly.
Blackstone fired two shots into 33-year-old Ed Stewart, killing him almost instantly, then shot 28-year-old Wayne Stewart three times in the abdomen. Afterward, he made no attempt to flee. He simply remained at his business until police arrived.
But once behind bars, Blackstone refused to explain what had happened or why the argument had ended in gunfire.
Aged Slayer Sits Mute In Cell At Martinsville
MARTINSVILLE, Indiana. — With the blood of one man on his hands and a strong possibility that there may be another victim, Charles Blackstone, 70, sits silent today in a cell of the Morgan County Jail here.
Ed Stewart, 33, was fatally shot by Blackstone Friday evening. He wounded Stewart’s brother, Wayne, 28, so seriously that his death is expected at any moment.
Authorities said the slaying apparently was the result of a dispute over money the Stewarts owe Blackstone. But the aged prisoner refuses to discuss the motive or anything else connected with the shooting.
He fired two shots from a revolver at Ed Stewart, both taking effect, and causing almost instant death. Wayne Stewart was struck in the abdomen by three bullets.
After the shooting, Blackstone made no effort to escape. He remained in his cigar store poolroom and was arrested there. The shooting occurred on a street in front of the place. The quarrel which terminated fatally was started Friday afternoon and reached its deadly climax a few hours later when the Stewarts returned to Blackstone’s place which they had visited during the afternoon.
Source: The Indianapolis Times. Indianapolis, Ind. April 7, 1928.
