Crawfordsville Weekly Journal, Crawfordsville, Montgomery County, 9 December 1898 — Page 5

VOL. 51—NO. 4!)

&

A1

vi.WV.VN.VXX

What's

The

lit

I Question?

$ Bb

10c per pound. Maae and sold by

Prescription Druggist,

200

OF

Partnership.

yo Owing to the retirement on January 1st of J. V9 Kronacher, the senior member of our firm, which requires a large amount of cash to pay out his interests, we have inaugurated a sale beginning November 15th of our entire stock of clothing at

& ...Manufacturing Cost...

We must have the cash and we expect the following figures to accomplish it!

Men's Suits and Overcoats worth $ 5.00 2.98 6.00 3.98 8.00 5.38 10.00 6.97 12.00 8.75 15.00 10.98 18.00 13.68 Boys' Suits and Overcoats worth 1.50 1.13 2.00 1.37 3.00 1.98 4.00 2.87 5.00 3.87 6.00 4.38 Men's good Working Pants, regular .75 .58 1.00 .73

All goods marked in plain figures. Positively, no goods charged during this sale.

THE AflERICAN

Manufacturing Clothiers,

Corner Main and Green Sts., Crawfordsville. Ind,

riore Good Things

For a Very Money.

Men's Complete Wool Boot, worth $2.50 our price $2.00 Men's Knit Boot with first quality overshoes, w'th. 3.00 2.50 Men's Double Buckle 3 50 3 00 Boys' Complete Wool Boot, sizes 3 to 5 2.25 ."

Also bargains in Ladies' Men's and Children's Shoes and Rubber Goods. Don't forget the place

The 8TACJ Shoe House.,

12S Hast Main Street.

Dissolution Price.

TO BE OR Nof TOE?

Wise in the saving of money. You are to answer it. lean help you. Corns In

§D.,P. Smith.

Cleaning and pressing1.

1.75

\y

W

•w

M. C. A. Block. Ill W. Main St.

WE FILL PRESCRIPTIONS

December Talk.

Keep your horses robust during the cold winter months by feodini? Faultless Stnefc irnnri

)flf nnnnn. PrnvAnta nnntrhu r»n!rla lnnir 11- wu.

J. H. WHITENACK.

D. C. BARNHIIX,

Funeral Director and Embalmer.

CRAWFORDSVILLE, IND.

All grades of goods carried in Btock. Calls attended day and night. Office 213 S. Washington St. Residence 415 8. Washington St. loho B. Swank, Assistant. Telephones No, 61^81^83

R. B. F. PEIRCE DEAD-

A Former Honored Resident of Crawfordsville Expires Suddenly in Indianapolis.

Special to the Journal.

INDIANAPOLIS, Dec. 5, 1S98.—R. B. F. Peirco died suddenly this morning at his home, 1150 north Meridian street. His son Edward, and his daughter, Mrs. Lois Hughes, who were present, saw their father lurch forward while reading his paper. He was dead when the doctor arrived. His deatli is ascribed to apoplexy. Recently Mr. Peirce was strangely stricken at Cincinnati but apparently recovered from that attack. Following this sickness was bis resignation from the receivership of the Clover Leaf railroad with the announcement that he would continue as manager of the I D. & W. Ry. Since coming home he has remained quietly at his residence or hotel. No one suspected death was pending. This event coupled with Mr. Peirce's recent misfortunes has come aB a tragedy to his many railroad and political friends. His age was 55 years. He was born in Franklin county, but most of his active career was at Crawfordsville and Indianapolis. [Robert B. F. Peirce was born February 17, 1843, at Laurel, Franklin county, Indiana. His father, Henry Peirce, came of Puritan stock, and was born in Massachusetts. He came to Indiana at an early day, settling first at Fairfield and afterwards moved to Laurel. The family was large, consisting of seven boys and two girls, and the father failing in health, when Robert arrived at the age of seventeen, was too poor to assist him into business or In getting an education. But he made up his mind to have a full collegiate education, and in September, 1860, entered the preparatory department of

Wabash college. Being without funds, he supported himself by working during his spare time, sawing wood and doing such other work as he could obtain and for the first two years of his college course he sawed all the wood used by one of the hotels in Crawfordsville. The war broke out soon after he entered college, and as the different calls were made for soldiers, one after another of his brothers entered the service until he, the fourth and the only remaining one old enough to enlist, volunteered and was chosen second lieutenant of his company. He remained in the army until the close of the Atlanta campaign, when his regiment was mustered out of service. He then returned to college and renewed his classical course. In July, 1SG6, be went to Shelbyville, in this state, to read law in the office of the Hon. B. F. Love, and although a comparative stranger, was at once elected to fill a vacancy in the office of city attorney, by the unanimous vote of the city council. He was married November 20, 1866, to Miss Hattie Biair, of Crawfordsville, daughter of John W. Blair. She died October 28, 1878. They became the parents of three children: Lois J., Frank H., who died in 1881, and Edwin B. He remained there for one year and in 1867 returned to Crawfordsville and opened an office, and soon ranked high at a bar which has always been noted for its strength. In the following year bo was elected by the Republicans as prosecuting attorney for the counties of Clinton, Boone, Fountain, Warren and Montgomery, and being twice re-elected, held the place for six years He devoted his time assiduously to the discharge of his official duties, and while so engaged was brought in contact with some of th« ablest lawyers in the state. Ho sustained himself well, and soon became known for his energy, zeal and success in the prosecution of criminalt and his official career is yet pointed to as a model oue for prosecutors. He never turned any of his cases over for other management, but without exception gave them his personal attention. In May, 1874, he was appointed general solicitor of the Logansport, Crawfordsviile & Southwestern railroad company, and elected one of its directors. He continued to hold these positions until the sale of the road. He also gave his attention to the practice of the law in his and in neighboring counties, and in the federal courts of Indianapolis and Chicago. Mr. Peirce was always a Republican, and being a pursuasive and logical speaker, his services on th© stump were always in demand. In 1880 Mr. Peirce was elected to congress from the Crawfordsville district] defeating the late Bayless W. Hanna. He served with distinction but in 1882 went down in the Democratic landslide, being succeeded by John E. Lamb. Late in the '80's Mr. Peirce removed to Indianapolis and was prominent in political and railroad circles there to the time of his death. Several years ago he was married to Mrs. VanValkenburg, of Plymouth,

CRAWFORDSVILLE, INDIANA, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 0, 1898—TWELVE PAGES.

who survives him and who is now abroad. Mr. Peirce was one of the mo6t popular men who ever lived in Crawfordsville. He was kindly and generous to a degree that often resulted in actual embarrassment to himself, and his good fortune was always shared by his friends. lie was a splendid lawyer and his ability as a business man is evidenced by the prosperity enjoyed by the railroads which have been under his control for several years. All who knew him hear of his death with a profound regret and a sorrow that is sincere, for he WRH indeed, a lovely and a knightly gentleman.]

The IndianapoliB News of last Monday contained the following account of Mr. Peirce's career in Indianapolis, which will prove of interest here: "For nearly fourteen years Mr. Peirce was connected with what is now the Indiana, Decatur & Western railroad. While he was a practicing lawyer in Crawfordsville, he was appointed attorney for Receiver Raymond, of the Indianapolis, Decatur & Springfield, and in 1885 he moved to this city. He was also one of the trustees for the first mortgage bondholders of the road, and when the road defaulted its interest Mr. Peirce took charge of the road as managing trustee and operated it several years. He almost rebuilt the line, and increased it6 earning capacity materially, and when the consolidation of the various interests took place he was made general manager. A year or so ago th'e road was purchased by a syndicate headed by President Woodford, of the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton, and under that arrangement Mr. Peirce remained as general manager at an increased salary. Under his management the physical condition of the road had been made of the beBt, and it is now well furnished with rolling stock and equipment. "Mr. Peirce was largely interested in an electric headlight company, and worked hard to get the headlight on the market, and in advertising it, spent large sums of money. He was at the same time a director in the Indianapolis National Bank, and when the crash came in that institution it was found that he had borrowed more from the bank than the law allowed. For this he was indicted by the United States grand jury, but it was shown that he had no criminal intent, and was really not so much to blame as some of the other officers of the bank for the excess loans. He made good to the bank everything that was due it from him, and on his simple statement the indictments were nolled, without prejudice to Mr. Peirce. Just before the failure of the bank Mr

Peirce, with some others, had been interested in a water works deal at Los Angeles, Cal. Mr. Peirce trusted implicitly to the other men in the deal, and the result was that he suffered considerable financial loss, and also had to pay out of his own pocket the commission of the promoter of the scheme—a payment that should have been made jointly. In several deals of a like character, Mr. Perice lost con siderable money by trusting to the supposed honesty of his associates.

In 1887 the Toledo, St. Louis & Kansas City railroad (the-Clover Leaf) was placed in the hands of S. R. Callaway as receiver. In arly part of January, 1895, Mr. Callaway resigned to become president of the Nickel Plate, and D. D. Davis, general auditor of the road, was appointed receiver to succeed him. Judge Woods, of the United States circuit court, 6et aside the appointment of Mr. Davis, and appointed Mr. Peirce in his stead. Mr. Davis died last Saturday, and was buried today, while the man who succeeded him lies a corpse at his home. "As soon as Mr. Peirce took charge of the Clover Leaf he began niRking changes for the better. Hb called the heads of the different departments in, and told them that there was plenty of business in the country, and they must get it, and said that if the earnings of the road did not show an increase he would have to get men who would secure the business. The traffic of the road increased wonderfully. There was no reduction of wages among the employes, but he consolidated several of the higher offices, and put the steamboat line from Toledo on a paying basis. In connection with the Indiana, Decatur & Western, he opened a line from 'Indianapolis to St. Louis, and was considering a line from this city to Toledo by way of the Lake Erie & Western. "The Clover Leaf was doing a heavy passenger business out of St. Louis, and the roads in the joint traffic association asked Mr. Peirce to join in. Acting under instructions, Mr. Peirce replied that he believed the association to be an illegal organization, and he declined to become a member of it.

The association ordered a boycott against the Clover

LeBf,

and all of the

connecting lines refused to honor through tickets issued anywhere on the Clover Leaf. Mr. Peirce went to New York and asked that the boycott be raised, but he was told that in a short time the freight department would also boycott his road. "He then filed complaint in the United States court, setting forth the facts, and asking that the joint traffic association be not permitted to interfere with the business of his road, and that the joint traffic association be dissolved as an illegal body. The members of the association realized that Mr. Peirce had the better of it, and proposed to withdraw the boycott if Mr. Peirce would dismiss his suit, and this was done. Though many charges were made that the Clover Leaf was cutting all kinds of rates, the charges wore never sustained, and Mr. Peirce always denied that he was doing other than getting tariff rates. At a recent session of the stato tax commissioners President Ingalls, of the Big Four, succeeded in getting the rate lowered on his road, and increased on the Clover Leaf. Mr. Peirce had a meeting with the heads of departments, and told them to go into Big

Four territory and secure all the business possible. This was continued until he had taken away from the Big Four enough business to pay for the increased taxation Mr. Ingalls had placed on the Clover Leaf. "The Chicago, Indiana & Eastern is a little road that is building in the north part of the state, and Mr. Peirce saw at once that it would be a good feeder for his road, and one of his last official acts was to form an alliance with that road that is bringing the Clover Leaf considerable freight business. Mr. Peirce spent considerable money on the road and equipment and got it in splendid phys ical condition, and it was the general understanding that when the legal complications were ended, he would be president of the company. There are many diverse interests in the Clover Leaf property, and Mr. Pierce had a fight on hand about all the time from one faction or another that wanted to get control of the road. "His personal appearance would attract attention in any gathering. He was six feet high and with advancing years had grown somewhat stout. He had a quiet, gentle dignity and an urbanity and care for the feelings of others that made him a favorite wherever he went. He was kindly and considerate to the unfortunate, and 'Bob' Peirce, as his friends called him, was always 'an easy mark' to anyone who came to distress or asking alms. He had a never-fail-ing fund of good humor, and whatever personal grievances or ailments he may have had they were always sub' ordinated to listen to the griefs of others. "Anything Mr. Peirce had was shared freely with hie friends. His private car was constantly at their command, and he sought opportunities for conferring favors. This was doubtless an element in his great pop ularity. Up in his office were to be found jugs of maple syrup, tirkins of butter, and in season, dressed turkeys and innumerable products of the soil, sent in by admiring friends from various stations along his road. After en. gaging in the railroad business, he was not especially in politics, though he continued his relations with the Republican party, and intended, in time, to be a candidate for governor of Indiana. The news of his death was a great shock to everyone. Jijdge Woods, whan told, was greatly affected, and Judge Baker expressed the deepest sorrow. Among railroad men Mr. Peirce was greatly respected, for no manager in Indiana had helped more struggling trainmen and hardworking clerks than he has. "Mr. Peirce did not leave a great deal of property. Besides some investments in bonds aud stocks, he owned jointly with his second wife, who is now in Persia, the home in north Meridian street. He carried about 840,000 in life insurance, payable to his children. "He was always a stanch Republican. In 1892 ho was an elector-at-large on the Presidential ticket. He was a Mason, a Knight of Pythias, a member of the McPhersen Post, i. A. a member of the Indianapolis Literary Club and of other clubs and societies. "Two children survive—a daughter, Lois J., who married William J.

Uughes, and a son, Edwin He was married a second time, in 1886, to Mrs. Alice W, Van Valkenburg, of Plymouth, a daughter of Amzi Wheeler."

The funeral of R. B. F. Peirce took place in Indianapolis on Wednesday morning. Immediately after the service the body was brought to Crawfordsville, coming via the I. D. & S. and the Monon, arriving here from the south at 1:15 in the afternoon. The interment took place at Oak Hill cemetery. The pall bearers were from this city and short services were held at the grave.

PART ISECOND'"

A STRANGE CASE.

KeiHle Ititilny, of AVeat Point, I)ICH Alone 11 tli« Far West Under su«•v picioua ClrcumstanceH.

Last Thursday the representative of one of the Chicago papers was called on for information regarding Miss Bessie Bailey, who formerly resided with her uncle, Cyrus Timmons, near West Point, or Glen llall. The telegram stated that she died on the cars at Elko, Nev., Thursday under very BUB picious circumstances and all possible information regarding her was asked. The paper wished to learn if she had written to the Timmons's of any trouble she had had in California and whether 6he was ever married or engaged. The correspondent last Friday ascertained that the girl had not been heard from for years by the Timmons family until about two weeks ago when they received a message from a surgeon at the Agnew hospital in San Francisco informing them that

Bessie would start on the next train for their home. A few days later, Nov. 19, they received a message from the superintendent of the Southern Pacific railroad saying that BeBaie had died in Elko, and asking if they wished her body shipped to them. Two days later the coroner at Elko wired them as to the disposal of the body, and was instructed to bury it there. They were uever given intimation until last week that there was a suspicion of foul play, and are at a loss to understand the thing. That she should also be reported as having died only last week when they were apprised of her death nearly two weeks ago lookB strange.

DIRECTORS ELECTED-

The ifutr ABHOCIHHOM Stockholder*) Together" and Elect Tlieir Hoard of Maiiugern.

Get

The stockholders of the fair association met at the court house Monday afternoon and elected a board of directors for the coming year. The contest was a spirited one and while the old board was elected with a few changes, those changes are significant, as indeed as are the re-election of certain members Only two men, Captain Herron and W. W. Seawright, received the full vote of the stockholders. The directors dropped were Fred Gardner, W. E. Cooley, and W. T. Gott from Union and E. T. McCrea from Coal. The new directors are J. H. Watson, J. P. Walter, and Samuel Shafer in Union and'W. H. Montgomery in Coal.

The stockholders passed a resolution requesting the directors to issue

passeB

to all stockholders. W. F. Hulet made his report showing hat the treasury had 8133 on hand, nad paid 8200 in interest, and 8500 in the principal of the debt. The new board of directors, which is as follows, will meet next Monday to elect officers.

Coal Creek—W. H. Montgomery. Wayne—Arch Bailey. Ripley—Jackson McCormick. Brown—Tilghman Easley. Scott—N. G. Kesler. Madison—Wm. Z. McBee. Sugar Creek—Silas Peterson. Franklin—Chas. E. Butler. Walnut—Hannibal Trout. Clark—J. N. Foster. Union—John L. Davis, M. B. Waugh, John C. Hutton, J. J. Insley, Paul Hughes, J. 0. Barnhill, John S. Brown, W. W. Morgan, W. F. Hulet, F. M. Dice, D. F. McClure, George S. Durham, Wm. P. Herron, Asher Wert, Henry Davidson, R. C. Smith, Isaac Davis, D. H, Martin, W. W. Seawright, Arch Martin, Eli Armentrout, J. H. Wasson. L. B. McClamrock, Ben S. Myers, J. P. Walter, Samuel Shafer.

Open the Koad.

The appeal case of J. W. Oliver against J. W. Cochran and Foster Fletcher came to an end Monday, the jury finding that the proposed road should be opened. It tempered the verdict somewhat, however, by raising the damages of the defendants twenty per cent, over the amount allowed by the viewers. Cochran was allowed 8150 and Fletcher #30.

Happily Married.

LaBt Monday at 5 o'clock 'Squire S. A. Stilwell at his office united the fortunes of Benjamin F. Wells, of lloachdale, and Emma S. Dickerson, of Ladoga, in the holy bonds of matrimony.

Perfection Fonnd at Last.

DKCATUR, III Jan. 24, 1898.—Dear Sirs: -I received a gun shot wound in '04 while in the army which caused a partial paralysis of tbo bowels and from that time to the present I hava had to use a laxative. I have tried a great many kinds of medicines in that time but have never found any as effective or that has been as near natural as Dr. Caldwell'6 Syrup Pepsin. "Yours truly,

JOHN ARMSTRONG.

Sold at Dunn's drug store, 117 north Washington St., next to Trade Palace, Grftwforasville.