Daily Democrat, Volume 2, Number 226, Decatur, Adams County, 3 October 1904 — Page 1

VOLUME II

MURDER AT MONROEVILLE

jacob Gresley, an Old Mon, the Victim

affair is mysterious - 1.".."*— Young Man Named House Charged With Crime Old Man Was Struck in lhe Mouth and Fell Backward Fracturing His Skull. Mill I ■ 1 Jacob Gresley, fifty-five years old, and a well known Allen county citizen was mysteriously murdered at Monroeville at one o’clock Sun day morning. Fred Hause, a distant relative of Gresley, is in jail at Fort Wayne, charged with the crime He denies his gaiit. but admits he was drunk and was hunting trouble. The tragedy occurred shortly after midnight Saturday night near the town square. The old man was standing in front of the Lamont saloon, on Railroad street. Near him was Albert Brown, of Monroeville, and the stranger whose identity is much wanted and who was addressed by several persons in the crowd as ‘ Doc.” The man is said to live in Fort Wayne. Just before the tragedy occurred, Liveryman, William Hay, of Monroeville, drove up in a surrey to take back to Fort Wavne three gentlemen who had been attending the rally during the evening and who had missed the train. These three men were

Mr O B Wilev. Mr. John Roach and Deputy Auditor Ed Parker. According to the story as elicited by Coroner Stults and Sheriff Stout, these men were just getting into the surrey when they heard a fall, and looking around they saw Gresley tall and saw House walking awa.v from h’m. Albert Brown, who was a friend of the old man said to House, "What did you hit poor old Jake for?" It is alleged that thereupon House answered: "Maybe you want a hand in it.” At this time the mysterious "Doc” walked to the prostrate form of Gresley and examining him, pronounced him dead. It is said House hurried away as soon as this announcement was made. A crowd soon gathered. They found an abrasion on the lips of the old man, evidently produced by • blow from a fist The fatal wounds were on the back of the head, caused when Gresley fell backward and struck the curb-tone. The skull was fractured at the base of the brain. The bieak extended through the occipital bone for its entire length on the right side of the head, and brains anil blood oozed through the opening It is believed death was instantaneous The covering of the brain wa- l>adly torn, causing bad hemorrhages The theory of the case is that Gres•*y was struck by some person in she mouth and he fell backward, his head striking against the curb •tone. Rates to Geneva The G. R. & J. has arranged for fifty cent rate for the rou"d trip to Geneva Wednesday on account if the old soldiers’ meeting. A numh flr from hero will take advantage, °f ths rate.

The Daily Democrat.

is A CANDIDATE E. Burt Lenhart of This City Wants to Be Outer Guard. Indianapolis, Ind., Oct. 3. -Indiana Pythians began to arrive in Indianapolis today for the meeting ot the grand lodge which Convenes tomorrow With the Knights of Pythias there is never a contest except for the lowest office. The candidates for outerguard are as follows: Frank Heller, of Columbia City; Aria M Brown, of Winchest Jr; W. C. ( onerse, of Richmond; Ross D<vid, of Blocmington’W. H. Johnson, of Crawfordsville; E Burt Lenhart, of Decatur; Harry B. Darling, of Laporte; Mr. Slade, of Evansville; Thompson Turner, of Walkerton; Adolph Biocard, of Rochester; H B McMillan, of Brazil; John Rogers, of Sullivan.; John W. Gaither, of New Albany; Mr. Butler, of Pargon, and Dr Thomas, of Kokomo. HELD UP

Boys Play Mean Trick on Friend “Carley" Ellis the Victim and Handed Over His Cash Like a Little Man. Two of “Curley" Ellis’ young friends pl ayed a mighty mean joke on him last night about twleve o’clock, which frightened him out of a year’s growth, and which will force him to stay on Main street when out late. "Curley’’early in the evening went to the south part of the city to make a call upon his lady friend, and by chance stayed later than usual and it was quite dark when he started on the return trip. Everything passed off lovely until he got near the Chicago & Erie railroad, when two men stepped out before him heavily masked and otherwise disguised and ordered “Curley” to throw up his hands and deliver the cash. “Curley" meekly did as ordered, saying as he did so, “Oh, men let me go I have only fifty cents, here it is, please let me go." The men took the preferred money and let Curlev go, and he oertainiy did not let any grass grow under his feet getting to town. The boys doff jd their masks and got up town just as “Curley" was trying to tell the night police man about his hold-up. They then told him the joke and returned his money to him. “Curley”, how ever is of the opinion that it was a mean joke and does care to have it related on him. Sent Invitation. Geneva, Ind., August 25, Officers i and members, Decatur, Ind. The < W. R. C- of Geneva and the Post 1 extend an invitation to you to at. I lendjthejsoliders' reunion to be held < here Oct, sth. Yours, F. C. L. 1 Mrs. R G. Harbison, secretary, t Jennie Rynearson, president. <

DECATUR, INDIANA, MONDAY EVENING, OCTOBER 3, 1904.

BOLD BURGLARS

Tried to Rob Burt

House

Were Frightened Away.—Broke a Window and Made Too Much Noise.

Last night about one o’clock burglars called upon the Burt House and tried to effect an entrance into the dining room, but were frightened away before they could carry out their intentions. Night Clerk N. C. McMaguire stated that he and j the night porter were attending to ! their regular duties when he heard a noise like some one tearing the 1 screening off the window and sent j the porter up stairs to see if any I thing was wrong. The porter could find nothing and came down stairs j again, just as he landed on the floor the crash of a window and broken glass was heard in the dining room. The night clerk then grabbed his revolver, hastened out of the building and down the alley, as he had heard them run when the glass I broke. Just as he got to the rear of the hotel he saw three men hurrying away, but he says he was too frightened to shoot. In the meantime the night porter had sent in the police alarm and the night police hurried to the scene, gave chase to the robbers for several squares, when they lost track of them. The night clerk gave a very clear description of the three men. two being short and heavy set and the other a till slender fellow. | From what the night police could i see of them they are of the opinion ' that th“y know the guilty parties and are keeping a close watch lon the men. Nothing of value was i taken and the damage done was small. A closer examination this 1 morning showed that they also tried to effect an entrance into the pantry but Were foiled there also.

STREET TROUBLE City of Auburn Defendant in a $55,000 Law Suit. The city of Auburn is defendant in a suit in the Federal court, on a claim of <55,000 brought by the First National Bank, of Chicago. Hie Interstate Construction company did some asph'lt paving in Auburn. It proved worthless, but the work was re-surfaced and was then accepted by the city engineer. The re surfacing proved worthless also and the city council has refused to honor the orders amounting to 80 per cent of the contract price which it authorized issued. The paving is in a "rotten "condition and the council has again let the contract for doing the work all [ over to the Barber Asphalt Co., and may have to pay twice to get one good job.

A NEW STORE S. Flax, of Peru, Pats in Stock of General Goods Here. 8. Flax, of Peru, will open a new store in Decatur next Friday morning. the same to be located in the Lucky building , first door south of the Moser gallery, on South Second street. Mr. Shipero, the manager, arrived this morning, and is busy opening up goods and arranging for business. He will handle a general line of goods, including clothing, dry goods and shoes, and his circulars announce rare bargains. He says the store will be a permanent one.

AT PURDUE Third Annual Farmers’ Picnic to be Held Next Week. The third farmers’ picnic excursion to Purdue Univerity and experimental station will occur October 11, 1904, and be followed by the seventh annual conference of farmers’ institute workers, October 12 and 13, 1904. For these events the Central Passenger association has granted from all Indiana railroad points, on the linos of its members, an open rule of one fare, plus 25 cents for the round trip to Lafayette, Ind. Tickets will be sold October 10, 11 and 12. good going on date of sale, and good to return until and including October 14. Ten days before the date, request local i ticket agent to procure through round trip ticket forms if he is not supplied. If local agent can not I sell through round trip tickets, buy | local round trip ticket to the junc- | tion point, from which through round trip ticket can be purchased. If compelled in anv case, to piy ! full fare, take receipt for the same, showing line or lines over which ticket is sold, as this would be necessary to secure a rebate. W . , C LATTA,Supt. Farmers' Institute. LEAVE FOR WEST Well Known Decatur People Will Seek Location at Spokane.

Mr. and Mrs. John Edington and James Edington left today for Spokane. Washington, where they expect to make their future home. It is the intention of John and his brother to look for a desirable location to open up an up-to-date bakery. If this location can not l>e found at Spokane they will try elsewhere. During the pist ten years Mr. Edington has been engaged in the baking business and is thoroughly acquainted with every feature of this line, and knows how to please the people. His brother has also been engaged in the same business and is thoroughly acquainted with this art. Both of the men for some time past have lie<n employed at the Peoples’ restaurant We wish them success.

A SURPRISE Relatives Celebrate Uncle Dan Welay’s Eighty Second Birthday. Uncle Dan Weldy who resides on First street was most agreeably surprised today at noon, when . thirty of his children, grandchldren and other relatives burst in unon him to remind him that it was his l eighty second birthday. The sur | prise had been Well planned and the victim was never aware of what was going to happen until the] crowd burst in upon him. Then he began to realize that he had reached arfother milestone. A sumptuous dinner was served and all present had a most enjoyable! time. Uncle Dan seeming to be the happiest in the crowd. Noah Weldy of Vanales, California, was present.

RURAL ROUTES Report for Quarter Shows Big Business in the Counts. Postmaster Britson’s report of the business done by the seven , rural routes out of Decatur during the past quarter shows that 117,200 > pieces of mail were handled, divided i as follows: Route one, delivered . 16,398, collected <H3, Stamp.- <14.11; ] route two, delivered 19,863, collect- t ed 1,337. stam|>s <20.15; route three. , delivered 17,664, collected 1,274, t stamps <22.26. route four, delivered t ] 14,137, collected 1,229, stamps <23.66 | route five delivered 8,553, collected c 22,211, stamps <38.56; route six, t delivered 14,388, collected 1,324, h stamps <24.80; route seven, deliv- H ered 7,367, collected 449, stamps c <8.16. Ip

BIG RALLY Monroeville Meeting Broke Record Thousands Attend. —Speeches by Judge Erwin and John W. Tyndall of This City. Judge R. K. Erwin and John W. Tyndall of this city were at Monroeville Saturday evening where they participated in the biggest democrat rally held in this part of the state this year. The Journal Gazette said: One of the greatest political meetings ever held in Allen county outside of For Wayne was that [at Monroeville Saturday night. The democrats of the eastern part of the county gathered by thousands. and reinforced by 400 from For Wayne made up one of the finest rallies ever seen in this section. The town began tilling up early in the afternoon, and when the train arrived from Fort Wayne | there was a reception committee of 11,000 men waiting. The Fort i Wayne crowd was headed by 100 I members of the Jefferson club, clad in the new uniforms, and they were given the place of honor in the pa rade which followed their arrival. The public meeting was held in Junior Order hall, which was by far too small to accommodate all who sought admittance. Over half the crowd was unable to get in. The speakers were Judge Edward I O’Rourxe of Fort Wayne: Judge i Richard Erwin, of Decatur, and . the Hon. John Tyndall, of Decatur, the noimnee for joint senator for , Allen and Adams counties. Judge Erwin spoke on national issues, devoting himself chiefly to a plea for

a return to a constitutional government. He arraingned President Roosevelt for his impetuous over riding of the constitution, and talked strongly again st the extravagances of the administration Judge O’Rouke spoke on national andcounty issues. He advised all democrats to vote the straight ticket, and when he mentioned the names of the county nominees he was loudly applauded. When he spoke of -ajr. Reichelderfer. and the nominee for sheriff, a ringing cheer went up. and that gentleman was fairly overwhelmed with the roar lof applause. Mr Tyndall made a very able address on state questions, ] talking principally on the question !of economy. He pledged himself to assist in the enactment of measures I beneficial to the people and in harmony with the tenets of good gov- | ernment. He promised to do all in his power to put an end to the wasteful extravagance that has been running riot in the state for several years past. It was a most' encouraging meeting and plainly showed the temper of the voters of the eastern townships. WHEAT TALK

Our Lxperl Says the Weather Ufa Fall Has Been Too Warm. The extremely warm weather of the past few days will be a hindrance to the growth of the wheat now sown. In the infancy of wheat it requires some warm, damp weather while the grain is in the ground to cause it to germinate. But as the tiny sprout rises above the ground its best growth occurs when the air is moderately cool and the ground somewhat damp. It does not grow fastest at such a time. Best growth in the fall docs not consist in fastest growth for when the plant grows fast in the fall it becomes tender and it is not hardy enough to withstand the quick chances of the weather in the early part of the winter.

NUMBER 226

BRYAN HERE The Peerless Leader in Decatur Will Speak at Nine O’clock in the Morning of October 14 Adams County Honored for the Second Time by the Presence of this Great American. L. G. Ellingham, Decatur, Ind. W. J. Bi van will speak at Decatur Friday morning October 14th at 9:00 o’clock Get busy. M. A. RYAN, Chairman Speakers’ Barnau. There will be a meeting at headquarters this evening to arrange for the reception of this noted democrat. WILL SELL Clover Leaf Will Go to tF.c Erie Toledo Message Says the Deal Will Be Closed Within Two Weeks and For Cash.

Toledo. 0., Oct., 3.—Negotiations are now pending whereby the Clover Leaf may lie sold within the next two weeks. More than this, it will be a spot cash deal, and at such figures as to net a nioe sum for the present owners who came into possession of the road less than a year ago. The foregoing information comes from a source high in authority, and it is not published as a mere rumor. It is a further I fact, however, that neither side in the negotiations has committea itself, so that the whole matter may be called off at any time. The . chances are however.’that the road will be sold. The only mystery | about the negotiations is the idenI tity of the woukt-be purchaser, but there are reasons to believe that it is the Erie railroad, which, as is well known, has had an eye on the property for a long time. One thing is certain: There will bo no merger of the Clover Leaf wit i any other system. It will be a sale for cash. In the meantime the Clover Leaf is going right ahead with improvements of its roadbed and additions to its rolling stock Bids are now in for ten big freight engines of the 84-ton ten-wheel type. These bids will be considered this afternoon and the contract will pn ibably be awarded early next week. The locomotives will be 20 l»er cent heavier than any of the motive power now in use on the

Clover Leuf. The company has just awarded the contract for twenty cabooses to the American Car and Foundry company. The statement of earnings and operating exfienses fcr the month of August 1904 as compared with the corresponding month of 1903, was given out today. It makes by far the best showing for any single month in the history of the road Notwithstanding that an unusually large amount, was expended during the month for relaying of main track, building siding and making other imrovements* the net surplus isover <69,000 or an increase of over <27,000. No othtr railroad property in the United States is making so good a showing at this time.