Robert Buchanan: Poker Party Murder

Robert Buchanan was born about 1906 in Indiana to Henry Otis Buchanan (1875-1950) & Amanda A Robertson (1882-1941).

 There was poker game going on at Orville Wires and Robert and buddies figured they would rob it.  Eugene Steele stayed in the car and Robert put on a mask went to the door and knocked but Orville Wires refused to let him in, Robert claims he stumbled into the doorway and the gun accidentally discharged. Her are some fascinating newspaper articles. At the first the police had a mystery and had no clue who killed Orville.

https://www.newspapers.com/clip/60720492/orville-wires/

https://www.newspapers.com/clip/60720463/orville-wires/

https://www.newspapers.com/clip/60720449/orville-wires/

https://www.newspapers.com/clip/60720439/orville-wires/

The charges were dropped on Ross Stone, but he does get time for stealing a car.

Robert's father started out as a farmer and then a laborer and by 1930 he was  Stationary Fireman,and they had 8 children.

Gracie M Buchanan

1899–

Chester Henry Buchanan

1901–1978

Robert Buchanan

1906–

Mabel Marie Buchanan

1907–1968

Lora Buchanan

1912–

Ralph Buchanan

1913–1982

Roy Buchanan

1917–1933

Charles Buchanan

1920–1930

Unfortunately 2 of the boys died young, one had a bad heart and the died of scarlet fever, something I had when I was a child.

The newspaper said Robert was married and had a child, I could find them.

He was still in prison in 1940

Name: Robert Buchanan

Age: 34

Estimated Birth Year: abt 1906

Gender: Male

Race: White

Birthplace: Indiana

Marital status: Married

Home in 1940: Michigan City, LaPorte, Indiana

Map of Home in 1940: View Map

Inferred Residence in 1935: Michigan City, LaPorte, Indiana

Residence in 1935: Michigan City

Sheet Number: 3B

Institution: State Prison

Attended School or College: No

Highest Grade Completed: Elementary school, 8th grade

Hours Worked Week Prior to Census: 1

I believe this is Robert's WWII Draft Registration Card.

I am about 90% positive this is him.

He was the only one to fess up and take his punishment like a man. That must have been some poker game I wonder what the pot was.