COUNTS - William E - Murdered
Source: Crawfordsville Star 18 March 1897 p 8
William E. Counts, a merchant at Reelsville was shot to death by tramps.
At Greencastle on Friday, Charles Gray and Wm. Gayner were sentenced to prison for life for the murder of Wm. E. Counts, a druggist at Reelsville, Ind Dec 1st last year. – kbz
Source: Ft. Wayne News 24 December 1896
Jeffersonville, Ind Dec 21 - Chief Cisco today arrested Charles Gray, a young man of this county on suspicion of being one of the men who murdered William Counts, a druggist of Reelsville, near Terre Haute, the night before last Thanksgiving. The Terre Haute police secured a clew (sic) to two men, who about that time shipped two bicycles from there to this city and the description of one tallies with that of Gray. Detective McRae of Terre Haute was here several days on the watch for the men but left a few days ago and Captain Cisco made the arrest. McRae arrived here tonight to return with Gray and states that Gray has admitted enough to him to convince him that he is the man who committed the murder. The accomplice will be captured within a couple of days, as the police are positive they are on his track. Gray stated the night before the murder he was between Brazil and Reelsville, camping out all night. Several weeks ago the two men left here on their cicycles to hunt for work. -kbz
"Charles Gray Recognized by W. O. Foster of Reelsville"
Greencastle, Ind., Dec. 24
CHARLES GRAY, who was arrested near Jeffersonville as being suspected of the murder of WILLIAM C. COUNTS, the Reelsville druggist, arrived in this city yesterday in charge of Sheriff Bunten and Marshal Starr, who went to Terre Haute after him. Gray and the officers were followed by a large crowd that amounted to a jam by the time the jail was reached. He is about 36 years old, five feet six inches tall, has black hair and dark complexion. He was identified by W. O. FOSTER of Reelsville, who saw him in Reelsville the night of the murder. The preliminary examination of Gray will be held in this city and the trial also, as Reelsville is in Putnam county.
Source: Ft. Wayne News 6 March 1897
Greencastle, Ind., March 9 -- The trial of CHARLES GRAY and WILLIAM GAYNOR were placed on trial here yesterday for the murder of Druggist COUNTS at Reelsville last December.
Source: Indianapolis Journal Tuesday Dec 22, 1896 p 3
Jeffersonville, Ind Dec 21 - Chief Cisco today arrested Charles Gray, a young man of this county on suspicion of being one of the men who murdered William Counts, a druggist of Reelsville, near Terre Haute, the night before last Thanksgiving. The Terre Haute police secured a clew (sic) to two men, who about that time shipped two bicycles from there to this city and the description of one tallies with that of Gray. Detective McRae of Terre Haute was here several days on the watch for the men but left a few days ago and Captain Cisco made the arrest. McRae arrived here tonight to return with Gray and states that Gray has admitted enough to him to convince him that he is the man who committed the murder. The accomplice will be captured within a couple of days, as the police are positive they are on his track. Gray stated the night before the murder he was between Brazil and Reelsville, camping out all night. Several weeks ago the two men left here on their cicycles to hunt for work. -kbz
Source: Jasper Weekly Courier 18 Dec 1896 p 2
William E. Counts, a merchant at Reelsville was shot to death by tramps.
Source: The Republic Thu Dec 3, 1896 p 1
Reelsville, Ind Dec 3 - Tramps shot and killed William E. Counts, a druggist and former postmaster of this place. Mr. Counts and his clerk were just closing the store and were met at the door by two men who ordered them to throw up their hands. Black, the clerk did so and was relieved of his valuable. Counts resisted and in the fight following was shot in the left eye by one of the robbers who fled. The wounded man lingered for a few hours and died. Officers are scouring the country for them men. One is described as tall, the other short and of heavy build. Two men of that description were seen on an eastbound frieght near Greencastle and it is thought they went west again. Mr. Counts, the murdered man leaves a widow and one child.