Indianapolis Journal, Indianapolis, Marion County, 17 October 1885 — Page 2

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murder; that Peter Monger saw the Rankin* on the night they were about to commit the murder, and that he was paid S2O or $25 to remain quiet Coffee was cautioned repeatedly, while making this confession, to tell nothing but the truth, but to tell the whole truth. “I am telling you the tvuth,’' he said. “I couldn't tell you anything but the truth. I know that lam going to die, and I don’t want to die with a lie in my heart." During the previous night he was asked by W. D. Gregg, on* of his attendants, if there was anything that he had withheld—if the thought of committing the murder had not been proposed to him. He replied that it had. but at the moment he was in great distress of mind, and said that he could not tell until this morning. BEGGING FOB LIFE. After Coffee had made his final confession, Elder Philips endeavored to direct his thoughts to the future, into which he was 6oon to be launched, bat all efforts to console him wore without effect. He continued his moaning and sobbing almost incessantly. He was induced to join, however, in singing the devotional hymn, “Jesus, lover of my soul,” and afterwards, “Nearer my God to Thee,” and his deep bass Toice could be heard distinctly outside the jaiL The prisoner spoke of his mother, and said that he could see her before him: that he believed he . would meet her in heaven. “My poor mother died three years ago.” he said, “and her last words were: ‘Children, live right and try to meet me in heaven.'” When the minister withdrew, the dressing of Coffee began, but it was with great difficulty that his clothing could be got on him. The attire in which he was led to the scaffold was a plain black suit. The step sister of the condemned man bade him farewell in the jail in the presence of the guards and the minister, and her grief at parting with him is said to have been heart-rending. It was fifteen minutes after 12 o’clock when he was taken from the cell-room of the jail into the outside corridor, and with the little strength that he hart he struggled desperately with the guards as they half carried him out. He was almost exhausted from excesssve grief, and could not stand without support. He was given a chair in the corridor for rest during the formality of the sheriff reading to him the death warrant. He writhed and struggled, and, amid his continuous moaning, pleaded with the guards for his life, repeatedly exclaiming, “This ain’t right! this ain’t right!” and, “Bovs. I like you; why do you want to kill me?” He paid no attention to the reading of the death warrant, and during the brief prayer for his salvation, before beginning the march to the 6caffold, he did not cease hi3 hysterical demonstrations. When the sheriff had concluded the reading of the death warrant, Coffee was lifted to his feet, and half carried and halfdragged to the jail door. He continued to plead with the guards to not take his life, and bo_seemed to cling with desperate tenacity to some fnint hope that he would be spared. “Boys, this is a terribly sad thing!” he cried, as he was brought to the jail door. A slouch hat was placed upon his head as lie was carried out, but he threw it off, saying, “I don’t want any hat now.” After getting out into the open air. ho grew calmer, but he continued his pitiful moaning as he was led up on to the scaffold, supported on either side by the guards. The distance which he had to walk, from the jail to the scaffold, was oniy about thirty or forty feet. ON THE DEATH TRAP. The scaffold was in the rear of the jail, and was surrounded by an inclosure twenty-five feet high, which completely obscured the execution to those on the outside. The scaffold was 12x16 feet in size, the platform being 8J feet from the ground and the suspension floor 17± feet. There were two trap-doors, 2x8 4 feet, which swung back from each other and caught under the platform. The scaffold was made for the execution of two, as it was supposed that Dennis and Coffee would be hung together. Coffee was calmer on the scaffold than it was expected he would be, but the anguish of dread which he had already suffered, and the realization at the last moment that there was no hope for his escape, seamed to have rendered him, in a measure, insensible to the horrors of the execution as he stepped into the shadow of death. “I am not afraid to die,” he said, with a siekly effort to muster up courage as he ascended the scaffold in the presence of the assembled spectators. Sheriff Harper, a half dozen deputies, and Elder Philips were the escort of the doomed man, and they accompanied him on to the platform of the scaffold. Fie was unable to stand, and while the others stood with uncovered heads during the prayer, he sat quietly, with his head bent forward. Fie lmd ceased to weep, and with the expeption of his mournful sighing no noise escaped him. The prayer of Elder Philips, which was delivered with most impressive solemnity, was as follows: O Thou great and just God, Thou who did give thy only begotten Sou to suffer public crucifixion in extreme pam and agony, that whosoever believeth on Ilim should not perish, but have everlasting life. Ar.d having, dear Father, this source for hope and mercy, in deep humility of heart, and clothed in the habilliaments of sincere repentenee and the greatest of sorrow, we humbly approach Thee, O Lord, on this sad occasion, and imp.ore Thy divine aid. and through the sympathetic Savior, who came to seek and save those who were lost, to beseech Thee, in Christ, the great Redeemer, to have mercy on the soul of this unfortunate young man. who, right in the very bud of promise of his young life, was overcome by temptation and Vd astray by wicked associations, and confesses himself uilty of being accessory to the horrible crime of murler, and soon must give up his life to appease the iiaiesty of an offended law. and he solemnly confesses ad declares before God and these witnesses that he s not guilty of this dark crime, only in being present; hat others did the bloody deed. If this be true. O infinite, loving, temler Father. Thy unworthy servant comes in his behalf begging Thee most humbly to have mercy on him. and in the abundance of Thy great love heav the prayer of Thy servant for mercy and pardon on his poor soul. And O God, if he has not fully revealed the whole truth, and has uot fully told all the sad facts in that horrible tragedy, while the last moment of the lamp of his life is measured bv only a few more feeble pulsations, we pray Thee, God, he may have bravery and courage to employ this, his last opportunity between this life and awful eternity, to confess it all to men and God. And O God, aid the kind sheriff, who has such a solemn and lamentable duty to p-j iorm by virtue of his office. And now. O thou just and merciful God, we commit the soul of John Coffey into Thy hand- and implore pardon for all his sins And may God the Father, and Jesus Christ Thy dear Son, and the Holy Spirit have mercy upon him. Amen. At the conclusion of the prayer, Coffee was led upon the trap-door and his hands and feet tied, after which he was given permission to speak. His words were uttered as he had talked during the day—plaintively, and without intelligent connection. He had said during his confinement that if he felt all right on the dav of the execution he would make a speech which would make all that heard him cry. “Ladies and gentlemen,” he said, “I am here between heaven and earth, and you are about to take my life away. Them that taketh life caunot giveth it. I will be well off in paradise. Mr. Harper may kill my body, but he can't kiil my soul. God is drawing near to me now. lam thankful for what I have said, because it is the truth. This is a terrible sad affair. lam willing to suffer for what I done, but it is not right that I should suffer alone.” “Do you die by your last confession?’' interrupted Elder Philips. “X stay right by that I told the truth, and that is all that I can do. You may hurt my body but you can’t hurt my soul. I am willing to suffer, and I know it is 811 my fault. I hope I will meet you in the better laud, Prank” [Frank Bagby, the deputy sheriff]. The black cap was drawn over the face of Coffee, as he concluded talking, the cords on his bands and feet were made secure, and the lever of th* death-drop was drawn by Sheriff Harper. A SICKENING SPECTACLE. As the body of Coffse dropped through tho trap door the rope broke and he fell beueath the scaffold, near liis coffin. The spectators, for an instant, were paralyzed with horror at the sickening sight The body was carried onto the scaffold with as little delay as possible. The blood was flowing from the ears of the suffering wretch, and dripped from beneath the black hood. The neck was uot broken, and, while the rope was again beine adjusted. Coffee gaspingly muttered, “Take off the cap; I want to tell something more.” The lever was again drawn, “however, and aeain the body fell heavily to the ground. The neek was broken by this fall. The body was lifted through the trap and hy the remaining piece of rope about the neck, was held suspended until it could be tied to the beam of the gallows. The fleet drop wm

made at 12:36, and the second at 12:39. At 12:41 the pulse was 77, and at 12:48 it was not perceptible. The rope which was need. Sheriff Harper claims, was tested last evening, with a sack of sand weighing 200 pounds, and it proved strong enough. It was seven sixteenths of an inch in thickness, and was the same knd of rope as was used in the execution of Buck Stout. The body of Coffee weighed 150 pounds. The breaking of the rope, it is thought, was caused by the distance of the drop more than by the weight of the body. When the doctors pronaunced life extinct the body was cut down. ">ut the public was not permitted to see it. The announcement was made to the crowd assembled in front of the jail during the afternoon that funeral services would be held to-morrow morning at 10:3Co’clock, and the remains could then be viewed by those desiring to see them. Before his death Coffee selected as his pallbearers Jere Keeney and A. B. Cunningham, of Crawfordsville; Bazil T. Merrill, Dr. Hurt, Dr. Hamilton and M. S. Hopper, of Waynetown. It was the intention to bury his remains in a lot owned by his mother, at Whitlock, bnt the citi zens of that place would not permit it, and in consequence they will he interred at Oak Hill. James M. Dennis, who was convicted of complicity in the murder of the McMullen's with Coffee, and sentenced to hang on the 3d of last September, but reprieved on account of evidence tending to show his innocence, and now in jail awaiting anew trial, said after the execution yesterday, t.hat he was “too chicken-hearted to see Coffee hang, and would not even look at him as he went out to the execution." A guard was kept about the jail to-night. There is a strong feeling against Dennis, who is generally believed to be equally as guilty as Coffee, and it is thought, therefore, that he ought to have suffered the same punishment COFFEE’S CRIME. History of the Murder of James McMullen and Wife, and Their Murderer. On the morning of Oan. 8, 1885, about 10 o'clock, the discovery was made by a small neighbor boy that the house of James McMullen, near Elmdale, about nine miles northwest of Crawfordsville, had burned to the ground during the night. The alarm was immediately given, yid a crowd was soon on the scene. Water was thrown upon the smoldering ruins, and it was soon discovered that Mr. McMullen and wife had been burned. Coroner S. L. Ensminger held an inquest, and it was determined that a murder had been committed, as the body of Mr. McMullen was found among the ashes of one room and the remains of his wife were among those of another room. Supicion was directed toward John W. C. Coffee, who was taken in charge by Ben. Swank, to be kept until the morning of Jan. 9, when he was to have been examined. Cn that morning, about 6 o'clock, Swank arose and went down stairs, and left Coffee in bed. On his return he found that Coffee had stepped out on a shed roof and jumped to the ground, thus making his escape. The detective companies were soon in pursuit, and Coffee was arrested on Saturday evening, Jau. 10, by three of their members, Ben Rhoadhamel, Ben Gray and Tom Smith, at the house of Till J. Sloan, near Stringtown, in Fountain county. He was taken back to EFmdale, at which time he made his first confession to the detective company, as follows: “On the evening of Jan. 7, about 7 o’clock, I went to the home of the McMullens, and was admitted by James McMullen. [The home of McMullen was a log-house of two rooms.] McMullen and I sat and talked until Mrs. McMullen went into tho other room. Then I picked up a stick of wood and struck McMullen, which caused him to fall to the floor. Then I struck him again. Mrs. McMullen opened the door between the rooms to see what was the trouble, and 1 forced the door open between the two rooms. [Coffee stated that in the scuffle to get the door open, she caught his arm in the door, and he showed the marks on his arm which bad been made then.] Then I demanded of Mrs. McMullen to tell me where the money was. She said: ‘You should have come a few days sooner, as we have just paid S6O on a ditch.’ We then searched the house, and I found twenty-five cents. Then 1 put on McMullen's pants and boots. [These he had on when he was among the number who arrived at the scene of the murder on Jan. 8, ard still had on when arrested, and was the principal cause of his being suspected.] I then not a pair of her stockings and a spooi of thread, and put them in my pocket Mrs. McMullen proposed then that we go over to James Morrow’s and get S2O which he was owing them, and offered to marry me. 1 refused, and struck her on the head with a stick. I then poured coal oil on her and tho feather bed, 6et them on fire and went to Rankin’s, where I slept that night. I could see the house burning while in bed." He stated, also, that no one helped him.He was brought to Crawfordsville and put in jail. In about a week he madevkis second statement He said that James Dennis proposed to him that they would go and steal some chickens. He agreed to this, but had no idea that Dennis was intending to murder them. When they arrived at McMullen’s gate he told Coffee to stay there until he returned. Dennis went to the house, and was admitted. In a short time Coffee hard a noise in the house, and, as he was approaching the door, Dennis came out, dragging Mrs. McMullen by the hair, and said, as he handed m3 a club, “John, you kill her.” He said that he could not, and Dennis then took the club and struck heron the head. They then carried her in the house, searched around for money and other articles. Dennis got about S3OO and Coffee twenty-five cents. Dennis told Coffee to put on McMullen's pants and boots, which he did. Dennis then put a 6Pool-box in his pocket containing various small articles, after which they set fire to the house and departed. On the way back, Dennis said to Coffee, “if you are arrested, say you did it, and I will see you out.” James Dennis was arrested and placed in jail. Coffee’s case came up in court on March 30. The jury retired about4o’clock p. m., on April 1, and in fifteen minutes returned with a verdict of murder in the first degree. Coffee's lawyers were Paul & Humphries, and the Slate was represented by Prosecuting Attorney A. B. Anderson and M. A. White. The case of Dennis was called on April 15, and the jury retired on April 21. In four hours they brought in a verdict of murder in the first degree. The lawyers for the State were the same as in Coffee’s trial, and Dennis was defended by Thornton & Doty. A motion for anew trial was filed and taken under advisement by Judge Britton. On June 18 Coffee made his third statement to two ministers, Rev. G. T. Phillips, of Graysville, and Rev. J. T. Jackson, of Crawfordsville. In this he said that James R. Rankin did the killing with a revolver, and Monday Rankin, his son, John Curtis, James Dennis and himself were along. The house was searched, several articles carried away, and S3OO in money secured. When the crowd separated, “old man Raukiti” held his pistol at Coffee’s head, and said, “If you ever tell I will kill you.” This statement was sworn to by Rev. Jackson in the court on July 1, and was placed on file as a supplementary motion for anew trial, which was also overruled. On May 19 Judge Britton had Coffee and Dennis brought to the court-house, and, after announcing that the motion for anew trial was overruled in both cases, be sentenced them to be hanged on Thursday, Sept. 3. Dennis’s attorneys appealed to the Supreme Court As the court did not convene until after the day set for the hanging, Governor Gray reprieved them both until Oct. 16. The Supreme Court granted anew trial to Dennis on the grounds that the third statement might cause a jury to return a different verdict than they had. In the last few days Coffee has stated that Mrs. P.ankin and her daughter, Mollie, knew all about the murder, and knew that it was to be committed. Public opinion was greatly divided as to the truth ot the last statement. James R. Rankin had left home last fall, aud had never been back sinee, to the knowledge of the neighbors. Some thought he was dead. To the surprise of all he arrived in Crawfordsville on Oct. 2, and brought with him affidavits of persons showing that be was iu Carlisle, N . M., at the time of the murder. In order to test the reliability of these persona making the affidavits, several telegrams were sent by different person*. & JM. Coffman, of the Argus News, received an answer to his inquiries, a message saying that Rankins was there on Jan. 7, and that the parties who made affidavits were relatives A- F. Ramsay also had a desire to know of the genuineness of these

THE INDIANAPOLIS JOURNAL, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1885.

affidavits, and paid sl9 20 to find ont He had T. H. B. McCain, of the Crawfordsville Journal, to send a dispatch to Judge J L. Crane, at Carlisle. N. M., and one to A. M. Robertson, postmaster at the same place. On Thursday afternoon the following replies were received:" Carlisle, N. M., Oct. 15, 18S5. To T. H. B. McCain: lam acquainted with James R. Rankin. Don’t known exact time I firstsaw him. Think it was latter part of last fall. Think he was here seven months. Am acquainted with Mrs. C. Jay and Frank Woodard. They are reliable. J. L. Crank. Carlisle. N. M., Oct 15. 1885. To T. H. B. McCnin: lam acquainted with James R. Rankin. He came here la-t January, and was here during September last. Mrs. C. Jay. Judge Crane and Frank Woodard a:e reliable. Am acquainted with th>-m. Cannot state exactly when Rankin came here nor when he left J. A. Cody may be reliable; would not vouch for him. A. M. Robertson, P. M. Mrs. C. Jay, Frank Waveland and J. A. Cody are amone those who made affidavits about Rankin being there from Jan. 1 to July 13. These telegrams had the effect to make friends for Rankin. James R. Rankin is a modestlooking man. and would be taken for a church elder rather than a desperado. John Curtis, spoken of in connection with tHe third statement, is now in jail under charge of perjuring himself as a witness tor Dennis. Monday Rankin was never arrested. During the late session of the grand jury the murder was under consideration, and they faiied to find a single indictment against any one else. The charges were thoroughly investigated. As no newclmrgi was found against Dennis, and as he cannot tie tried on the old charge of “kill ing with a club,” from the fact, that Coffee said in this last statement that Rankin killed them, he will probably be a free man iu a few days, if nothing new comes to light John Wesley Christopher Coffee, whose life yesterday paid the penalty of his crime, was twenty-four years old on the 10ih of last July. He celebrated his birthday anniversary in jail with his step sister, who is employed as a domes tic at the Robbins Jlouse. His father was killed in the Union armv, near Richmond. Va. He came to this county in 1870, where he has resided ever since. His mother was married again, to William Matthews, who now lives near Darlington. His mother died in 1883. Coffee joined the Methodist Church in 1876. but “fell from grace.” His spiritual adviser, Rev. T. J. Phillips, of Graysville. Ir.d., is of the Christian faith. Coffee has no brothers or sisters, and the only person who ever visited him in jail was his step-sister, Della Charters. In his walk he had a kind of swinging motion, his arms hanging down and his hands seeming to be double jointed. His appearance was made rather odd by his exceedingly long neck. He was a swift, runner and a very active jumper, which he illustrated on May 19, as he was on the way from the court-house, where he had just been sentenced to hang on Sept. 3, by leaping over the jailyard fence without touching it. Coffee told the officer afterwards that he was just showing him “how he could jump.”

TELEGRAPHIC BREVITIES. The Bell Telephone Company yesterday declared an extra dividend of $2 per share. Governor Eaton, of Colorado, has issued a proclamation raising the quarantine against cattle from Missouri, Indiana and Ohio. So intense is the feeling at Stanton, Va., against Koerner, who murdered Brown, that the authorities, sparing lynching, have tak6u Koerner to Richmond for safe keeping. Five Chinamen were killed yesterday in a shaft at Wellington colliery, in British Columbia. They were descending, when a car on top of the shaft fell and crushed them to death. Governor F 7 oadly yesterday formally refused to commute the sentence of Frederick Greiner to imprisonment for life, and the condemned man will be executed iu the county jail to-day. Dr. L. L. Greer, held at Greenville. 0., for murder, succeeded in breaking jail yesterday. No definite clew as to the direction he took is known, but he is supposed to be somewhere in ceutrai Indiana. At Wilkcsbarre. Pa., Ivor Williams, aged fifteen, employed as door-tender in the Dodson mine of the Plymouth Coal Company, fell down the shaft, a distance of 600 feet, his body being crushed into a shapeless mass. Mrs. James Qnayle, wifp.-ff a prominent young attorney of Cleveland, 0.. has been missing since Wednesday noon. She has been in ill health for some time, and her friends think she has wandered away in a fit of insanity. By the explosion of an overloaded gun in the hands of Edward Burtley, at Hazelton, Pa., yesterday, Robert Fehter was instantly killed, a large piece of the barrel entering his head. Another companion was so seriously injured that he will probably die. On Thursday night, at Trenton, Mich, a saloon keeper named “Jud” Osborn was shot while oh his way home. Tiie ball entered the back of the neck and severed the jugular vein, killing Osborne almost instantly. Ed Flaherty has been arrested on suspicion. Leopold Scbmetzer, an aged German saloonkeeper at Lancaster, 0.. was stabbed to death Thursday night, by a man with whom he quarreled. Nobody witnessed the murder. Sciimetzer's son, who was in a room over the ealooa, heard the two men quarreling. Two children of Mrs. Kamberger. residing at No. 81 Sheriff street, New York, yesterday morning took a lighted candle under the bed and set it or. fire. The children rushed from the room, and Lena, the seven.months-old baby, who was lying on the bed, was burned to death. Win. McElfresh, while drunk, met Charles Ohmnes, a peaceable German laborer, near Utopia, Clermont county, Ohio, on Wednesday night, and, without provocation, shot him dead. Ohmnes leaves a widow and three children. McElfresh was arrested, but gives no explanation of his act. Five cars loaded with wLeat were ditched on the Northern Pacific, five miles east of Aitken, Minn. Two men who were stealing a ride were found suffocated in the wheat. From letters on them they are believed to have been John R. Cochrane, of Volant, Fa., aud Louis Dust, of Champaign, ill. • At St. Paul, Minn., a man named W. H. Clarke, with his son, was filling and lighting gasoline street-lamps from cans in a wagon. One can exploded and burned up the horse and wagon. Clarke was thrown out of the wagon by the explosion and seriously burned, and his son was badly, if not fatally, burned. A sensational murder occurred a few miles from Somersville, Ala., on Thursday. Two gentlemen named Wesley Harper and James Edmundson had a fierce quarrel nbout the division of a piece of property. Blows-followed, and Harper, being the more powerful of the men. Seized Edmundson in his arms and deliberately cut his throat from ear to ear four times. The murderer was arrested. Failures for the Week. New York. Oct. 16.—The business failures during the last seven days, as reported to R. G. Dun & Cos., number, for the United States, 139, and for Canada 27, or a total of 166, as compared with 207 iast week and 196 the week previous. The failures are below the average in all sections of the country, and fewer are reported from the South than for any previous week this year. Injured by a Falling WalL Louisville, Oct. 16.—While workmen were making excavations under an old brick wall, on Main street, at noon, the wall gave wav and fell, injuring the following: Thomas Bush, hip broken and head fatally crushed; George Bush, serious internal injuries; Gus Weissers, head badly cut; William Cottons, leg broken. An unknown man hart his back brokem g.■■■■■■■■ ..... . i ■—— Chronic Sciatica Cared. Ashland. Maas., Jan. 23, 1685. For the last two years I have hobbled around on crutches. During that time 1 was afflicted with sciatic rheumatism. I not only suffered terrible pain night and day, but was utterly belpiess. After using every possible effort to get well, and exhausting the best medical advice, l was induced to try four Allcoek’s Porous Plasters. These I wore on nay side, hip-bone and thigh. In one week J was almost entirely free from pain, and strength returned to my palsied limb. I continued using these plasters with the most surprising results for three months, wLjb I became perfectly cured, and abandoned the use of crutches. Persons desiring further information can address <O.O. J. F. Gates. Postoffice hex 181

INDIANA AND ILLINOIS NEWS The Daily Chronicle of Happenings of all Kinds in the Two States. An Unrecognized Floater—Bnrglary at Greenfield—A Mnrderer Astonishes a Judge by Pleading Guilty—Gleanings. INDIANA. The Body of an Unknown Woman Found Floating in the Wabash. Special to the ludianaDolis Journal. Lafayette, Oct 16.—The captain of the steamer Underwood reports seeing a body floating down the Wabash this morning, which could not be secured, as the steamer was running up stream, and the body had disapDrared before a boat could be lowered. The body was that of a woman, judging from the clothing. Clothing Store Burglarized. Special to the Indianapolis JourualGreenfield, Oct. 16.—Thieves entered Hart & Thayer’s dry goods store, last night, by breaking the plate glass in the front door. Several suits of clothing and other goods were taken. The thieves also shed their old clothing and fitted themselves out anew. This is the second time this store lias been entered in the past six weeks. A hundred dollars reward is offered for the arrest of the thieves. Notes About Newspaper*. The Richmond Daily Palladium has been greatly enlarged, a sign of prosperity its many friends over the State wilt be pleased to note. The Palladium was established as a weekly in 1831, and has always been recognized as the paper of eastern Indiana. The daily, established in 1876, enjoys an enviable reputation as an honest, pure and consistent newspaper. The Kokomo Gazette-Tribune, which, as the successor of the Kokomo Tribune, has just en tered its thirty-fourth year, is an admirable daily, and shows what pluck, and business tact, and newspaper sense can do even in an apparently much-circumscribed field. There is no paper in Indiana that has made so much of its opportunities as the bright, keen and sturdy Kokomo daily. “The Comet” is the scintillating appellation of Orth Stein’s new Sunday paper at Lafayette. The first number is certainly very handsome. The dress is of metropolitan stylo, the types being of a neat, light face. Minor Note*. Charles Richards, for killing Reuben Johnson at Lynn Park, near Cannelton, on May 10. has been given twenty-one years in the State prison. The pacing horse Daisy H., owned by N. G. Harlow, of Ladoga, escaped for her stable and was killed by the cars, near that place, on Friday morning. The treasurer of the board of trustees states that the Hon. W. C. DePauw has given in all to DePauw Female College, in New Albany, an aggregate of $25,000. Thomas Plum, whose home is in Nebraska, and who was in Jasper county on a hunting excursion, accidentally shot himself through the heart on Thursday, At Peru. Cornelius Burke, about sixty years old, who. about a week ago, had a slight attack of paralysis of the vocal organs, was yesterday found dead in an out-house from the same cause. Carey Crisler. held at Columbus as a forger, has been released, the father having suddenly remembered that he gave his son authority to sign his name as surety to notes when his needs demanded.

ILLINOIS. A Murderer Astonishes a McLean County Judge by Pleadiug Guilty. Special to the Indiauapolia Journal. Bloomington, Oct 16. —To-day a genuine surprise took place in the McLean Circuit Court William Jackson, on trial for the murder of Richard Parr, pleaded guilty to the indictment, throwing himself upon the mercy of the court., Judge Reeves. Jackson, who is originally from Indiana, and later from southern Illinois, came here one dav in February last, and, filling up with whisky, went out to Danvers, in this county, seeking a fallen woman whom he had known. At Danvers he fell in with a farmer named Richard Parr, and, in a drunken row, shot and killed him, and seriously wounded another man named Harrison. At the first trial, some months ago, Jackson was sentenced by a jury to death by hanging. He obtained anew trial by showing that one of the jurors bad committed perjury in his examination as to his competency for service. Judge Reeves will sentence Jackson as soon as he reviews the testimony. Jackson will probably be sent to prison for life. Brief Mention. John Keefe, of Chenoa, was found dead in his yard, the result of a drunken spree. He leaves a wife and one child. James Thompson, colored, who outraged a woman eighty-nine years old, received but a fiveyears’ sentence, at Rockford, Thursday. The dike at Spring lake. Tazewell county, is to be widened to twenty-eight feet, and raised two feet, making a good roadway to drive over for the farmers of that section. The youngest son of William Tnrner, living two miles east of Richland, was hunting, when his gun was accidentally discharged, the load taking effect in his thigh. He died within fifteen minutes. THE FIRE RECORD. Dry Goods Store and Furniture Factory Destroyed, Involving a Loss of 875,000. Owosso. Mich., Oct. 16.—A destructive fire broke out at Owosso, last night, in the dry goods store of Brown & Mahoney, which was consumed. together w’ith H. S. Lewis’s produce store and Henry Woodward’s furniture factory. The latter was only saved by desperate efforts, Monday night, when Howell & Cossett's engine works burned. Mrs. Barnes’s residence and the Knights of Labor Hall, over Brown & Mahoney’s store, were included in the destruction. The losses will aggregate $75,000; insurance unknown. Brood Mare Stable Burned. Philadelphia, Pa., Oct. 16.—At daybreak, yesterday morning, the brood mare stable on Commodore Kittson's stock farm was burned, 'lhe burned stable was about five hundred feet from the other buildings, and it was only by hard labor that- they were saved. Fortunately the brood mares had been removed to the pasture a short time before the fire broke out. Loss, $12,000. Business Houses Burned. Kingston, Ont., Oct 16.—The premises occupied by Thomas Mills, furrier, Phelie Shaw, dry goods, and Henderson, photographer, were burned to-day. Loss, $40,000; insurance. $30.000, in the following companies: ./Etna, North British and Mercautile, Phoenix, Liverpool, Lon don and Globe, Scottish Commercial Union,London, and Guardian, of Glasgow. Destruction of a Business Blook. Fowler, Mich., Oct. 16.—An entire block burned at Maple Rapids last night Loss, $23,400. By prompt work of the fire department. Perry's Hotel was saved, thus preventing the spread of the fire And the destruction of the whole village. There was no insurance on anything. The cause of the fire is unknown. Fire at Few Hope, Pa. Tbinton, N. J„ Oct. 10.—At New Hope, Pa., sixteen miles above this city, fire was discovered at 1 o’clock this morning in the store o t Mop

Greerish, and before the fire department, which was reinforced by the Larabertvilie, N. J.. department, could get to work, the store in which the fire was discovered, two dwelling-houses and Atkinson’s agricultural works were burned to the ground. The losses and insurance cannot yet be ascertained. THE SPORTING RECORD. Good Attendance, Pleasant Weather and Satisfactory Racine at Latonia. Cincinnati, Oct. 16.—The Latonia races were well attended to-day. The weather was pleasant, and the track a trifle stiff. First Race—Parse. $250; five furlongs. Fabius took the lead at the start, with Winona apd Sfonybatter close up. Fabius was never headed, and won easily by one length; Stonybatter second, Winona third. Time, l:04f. Second Race—Purse. $250; three-quarters of a mile. Walter A. showed first, with Goldban second. On the lower turn Elsie B. was in front, Walter %. and Goldban following. In the stretch, lioserie went to the front, was not headed, and won easily by a length; Eva K. second, two lengths in front of Goldban, third. Time, 1:18*. Third Race—Parse $300: seven furlongs. Vie led. Trinket running even with him for one quarter; Kirklin then took second place; Kirklin made a close race to the head of the stretch, where Vie came on and won by one length; Kirklin second. Uncle Dan third. Time, 1:33*. B’ourth Race—Purse $250; one mile. Loftin made the running for three-quarters of a mile one length in the lead, with Gleaner second, at the heart of the bunch. On the lower turn Erebus moved up, took the lead, and won by one length; Gleaner second, Pink Cottage, third. Time. 1:45. Fifth Race—Purse $400; one mile Rnd seventy yards. Kosciusko, Nodaway and Billy Gilmore were in front of the bunch as they rounded the upper turn. It was a very close race home, Kosciusko winning by half a length; Billy Gilmore secoud, Powbatau third. Time, 1:50. Trotting at Lexington, Lexington, Ky., Oct. 16.—The Kentucky Trotting-horse Breeders’ Association fall trots began to-day, with the largest attendance ever known before. The first race was the Lexington stakes, for two-year-olds; mile heats, best two in three. There were three starters. Summary: Nutwood ....... .......... 2 1 1 Pythias 3 dist. Bermuda 1 2 2 Time—2:36*2, 2:35*5, 2:32. The second race was the Citizens’ purse, for horses that have never started; best three in five, mile heats. Summary: White Sox 3 2 2 Nobby 4 4 di s Waveland Chief dist. George Wilkes dist. Silverore 2 1 1 Jesse Harmon 2 33 Time—2:27*4, 2:30*3, 2:29*4The third race was the Ashland stakes, for yearlings; half-mile heats, best two in three. Summary: Georgiett e 1 1 Ike Wingate 2 2 Jessica. 33 Time—l:37*2, 1:37*2Joe Davis Beats Phyllis in Straight Heats. Special to the Indianapolis Journal. Mattoon, Ilk, Oct. 16.—The race in this city, to-day, between Joe Davis and Phyllis resulted in the former winning in three straight heats. Time—2:27, 2:26, 2:26*. The track was very heavy oa aceouut of recent rains. Base-Ball Men in Council. New York, Oct. 16.—The directors of the National League and the American Base-ball Association met at the Fifth-avenue Hotel this afternoon, continuing their session in the evening. Messrs. Day, of the New York club, Spalding, of the Chicagos, and Soden, of the Bostons. represented the National League, and Messrs. Byrnes, of the Brooklyn, Von der Ahe. of the St. Louis, and Simmons, of the Athletics, represented the American Association. The committees discussed plans of action for next year, the method of engaging players, and the rules governing the game. They will report to the convention to be held to-morrow the result of their deliberations, which they refuse to divulge tonight

SPIRIT OP THE STATE PRESS, Why Indiana Went Democratic. Lafayette Courier. The reunion of the Western veterans at Topeka, Kas., last Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, was a grand success. From fifty to sixty thousand solders were in attendance daily nnd no such fathering of veterans has been known in Kansas since the war. There were numerous speeches by orators of national prominence, and a grand sham battle at camp Grant on Friday. Goveruor Martin, of Kansas, delivered the welcome address. Each State held a separate reunion on the first day to oreanize and renew acquaintances. Judge Black in his address to the Indiana reunion cave utterance to the following truthful and significant sentence: ‘"lf Vicepresident Hendricks could see this meeting of Indiana soldiers he could then see why he carried Indiana last fall. The Indiana soldiers are so largely in the West is the reason of that catastrophy.” How Will Mansou's Frieuds Regard It? Petersburg Press. Mr. Zollinger, of Fort Wayne, has been appointed pension agent, to succeed General Knefler. How will General Manson and General Manson’s friends regard this latest and most pronounced slap in the face of the gallant old soldier? Defeated for the nomination for Governor, defeated for the pension agency—this is the treatment accorded the most distinguished Union soldier the DemocflUic party of Indiana possesses. Will Make the Dest Mayor. Evansville Journal. The election of Caleb S. Denny as mayor of Indianapolis will be very cratifyine to his "many friends down in southwestern Indiana, where he was reared and is highly esteemed. He will make the capital city one of the best mayors the people there have ever had. His majority was only sixty in over eighteen thousand votes. “It is not as wide as a church door nor deep as a well, but it will do.” Still in the Slough. Onion Citv Eagle. Indianapolis is still in the slough of despond. In the conflict of ballots, on Tuesday, the saloons came out first best. Law and order elected a mayor, but whteky retains control of the city legislature. Upou the whole, the battle is a draw, and will have to be aeain fought over. Tax payers and moralists must suffer still greater indignities before they appreciate the situation. Should Feel Humiliated. Hendricks County Republican. The contest just closed in Indiananolis was a clear fight between order and decency, law and property, and drunkenness, saloons, bawdyhouses. gamblers, thugs and hoodlums, and the former won. Indianapolis has nothing to be proud of in her victory, but ratter should feel humiliated to know that such a fight should have been necessary. Inconsistent Boycotter*. Fort Wayne Gazette. In Indiana pel is the printers boycott the freight-train papers, but in Fort Wayne they claim that the dizzy piate papera are the friends of tht. workingman. Even the Labor Herald which “has the appearance of being edited by a lot of tramps,” uses the same plates that the Indianapolis printers object to. A Burning Disgrace. Columbus Republican. It is a burning disgrace to the law-abiding, moral citizens of the State capital that they permitted such a foul combination as the CoyCottreii Liquor League gang to come so near gaining control of the city, yet it is no surprise, and a matter of congratulation that it is no worse. _ Fritters. Sontb Bead Tlmon ( P-oi ) Ohio has frittered away the second United States senatorship that might just as well have been secured under a different condition of

things. Illinois frittered the first The pros, pect of making the Senate Democratic during the existence of the present administration is not flattering. Indeed, it is now next to impossible* The Defection Is Sprekding. Vincennes News (Hem.! Mr. Vcorhees is making it clearer every day that the Evausville Courier’s call for his t'nronement, on the ground that he is now blocking rather than clearing the way to reform, is patriotic and just. Mr. Voorhees is just now" stumping Virginia, and he is telling the mons.backs there that civil service reform is a ‘Trod" and that he despises it. Mr. Voorhees also snoke of the Blair educational bill, one of most pernicious measures ever proposed in cress, and of course favored it. He is also in 1 favor of the bill of thesilver thieves, aud of most of the measures pf the tariff-thieves. What It Has and What It Will Cost. Attica Ledger. At Indianapolis, on Saturday, a saloon raa* * i,* c,lsto r rtl .* fr f°r failure to pay for a rtrink of whisky. The liquor cost the saioonist about one cent. It cost the life of the man who drank it, and the trial of the murderer will cost tht county $2,000 or $3,000. Increasing Arrogance. Brasil Register The arrogance of the Liquor League, even in politics, is rapidly becoming the last straw on the back of public forbearance. No intelligent observer of the time? can fail to see the presence of this evil factor in municipal elections throughout the United States. Wlmt Think Yet Michigan City Enterprise Now whr.t does the Indianapolis News think of Senator John Sherman and that shirt originally so pure and immaculate, but which, through treason and rebellion, was made red by the shed blood of patiiots? Triumphant “Little Breeches.” Krkomo Gazette-Tribune. Paste this in your hat: No man who ever had his pantaloons assailed was ever known to get left. For example, look at little Jodie Foraker in his tow breeches, standing or#tbe pinnacle of 21,000 majority. Still a Victory. Lafayette Courier. A powerful combination for Cottrell had to be overcome, and while victory was anything but a sweeping one. the result is no less satisfactory, no less significant, no less victory. Serious Reflections. Steuben Republit an. Is the Fort Wayne Journal thrusting at Judge Lowrv when it says that it hears that no habitual drinker or drunkard should be allowed to get a nomination for Congress? A Pointer for ludiana Democrats. South Bend T nies (Dem.) Hoadly’s extravagant catering to the liquor element utterly failed to have t'ne desired effect. The returns in detail afford a fine theme for elaborate comment. Good-By, Sandy! „ Madison Courier. The gallant Union General Sandy Foster gives way to Hawkins, of LaPorto couuty, a rebel sympathizer during the war. Consolation. Lafsyett© Journal. The Democrats are now consoling themselves with the thought that Ohio ulways was a Republican State, anyhow. Condition of the Wool Market. New York, Oct. 16.—The Journal of Fabrics and Dry Goods Bulletin of to-morrow will print an elaborate report on the wool situation. Since Aug. 1 prices have advanced 15 to 33 per cent, on domestic wools, from the lowest point touched? for many years. The qualities chiefly affected were medium and low grades. The despondency of wool men in Europe and Australia over the results of the last London auction sales is very great, especially so in fine wools. Low as prices ruled before the London sales, they suffered a decline as the sales progressed. A cablegram just received from Australia states that the auction saies of the new clip have opened at a docline of 5 to 10 per cent. ' With such a tone in the wooi centers of the world it is useless to speculate on a continued rise, or even ment of the present prices for any long period.

Steamship News, Hamburg, Oct. 16. —Arrived: Moravia, from New York. Southampton. Oct. 16.—Arrived: Elbe, from New York, for Bremen. , London, Oct. 16.—Passed the Lizard: Celti* Monarch, from Montreal. Queenstown, Oct 16.—Arrived; Nevada* from New York, for Liverpool. Nkw York, Oct. IG.—Arrived: City of Rome, from Liverpool; Wieland, from Hamburg; Donau, from Bremen. Death of a Remarkable Printer, Portsmouth iO.) Special. John Henkle, foreman of the Portsmouth Printine Company, which issues both the Bladb and Tribune, died at noon to-day, aged twentynine. and married. He was a wonderful printer. In October, 1882, on a wager, he accomplished the unprecedented feat of setting 17,010 eras in nine hours. He was in every sense a master of the art. Qe will be buried Sunday afternoon at 2 o’clock. Casting a Big Cannon. Boston, Oct. 16.—At the South Boston iron works, this afternoon, the casting of an iron fifty-four ton 12-inch breech-loading rifle gun for the government took place. A sudden flash of steam when the mold was partly filled indicated something not looked for. What it was, or whether it will interfere with the cast, will not be known until the gun cools off. * Foreign Missions. Boston. Oct. 16.—At the farewell meeting of the American Board of Commissioners for For' eign Missions, to-day, the report of the committee on papal lands was submitted. The report* of missions in these lands show the work is progressing slowly, but not without encouragement This closed the meeting. Those Complaining Os sore throat or hoarseness should use Brown'* Bronchial Troches. The effect is extraordinary, particularly when used by singers and speaker* for clearing the voice. „ KH SPECIAL LEXTRACTS MOST PERFECT MADE Purest and strongest Natural Pmlt Flavors. Vanilla, I>;mon, Orange, Almond, Bose. Wt* flavor as delicately and naturally as the fruit* PRICE BAKING POWDER CO., CHICACO. ST. LOU!®* WHITE’S NEURALGIA CURE Gives Quick Relief, and Klfects a Permanent Cure of that most painful disease. IdP'Try it, and Suffer no rnopo^, ''vice: Saudi BotUes. ‘i.~> ou. Lar#e Battle*. oJ c Vwt *U by *U Druggist*. E. B. WHITE, Solo Prop., Lancaster, 0 1