Democratic Sentinel, Volume 9, Number 37, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 October 1885 — GEN. IRWIN INSANE. [ARTICLE]

GEN. IRWIN INSANE.

Louisville, Ky., Oct. 14.— Gen. "VV illiam Howard Irwin, who was an officer in the IVlexican war, and was on W. S. Hancock’s staff during the civil war, has become hopelessly insane, and was ordered to be incarcerated in the Anchorage asylum this morning. His mania is homicidal, and he has tried to kill his wife and son. During his lucid intervals he has begged his wife to have him confined. Gen. Irwin is 65 years old, and about ten years ago married Miss Julia Chambers, the daughter of a wealthy citizen and the reigning belle of Louisville society. He has been connected with many important local enterprises, and was highly esteemed. With startled regret we perused the above. The General was a friend and acquaintance in our very early youth. He was a gentleman of handsome and command'ing presence, a lawyer by proses sion, and one of the most eloquent speakers. He served with distinction in the war with Mexico, and was severely wounded at Molino-del-rey. In the war for the Union, by the side of our brother, Maj. W. T. McEwen, they faced the

liowlmg mob in Baltimore, and led the first company to the defense of Washington in response to the first call for 75,000 men for three months. He was Attorney-Gen-eral of Louisiana while under the military direction of Gen. Han cock. He was appointed Adjutant General of Pennsylvania by Gov. Pollock, and prepar d and secured the adoption of laws wbicb give the military system of Pennsylvania such high rank. In 1856 lie was the Republican candidate for Congress in the district now represented by Gov. Curtin, but was defeated. He is a relative of Gen. McClellan, and supported him for the Presidenc . In the eampaign of 1880 he canvassed southern Indiana in behalf of Gen. Hancock. It certainly sad when such calamities fall upon men gifted as the subject of this item was. He will be remembered by many residents of this and adjoining counties.

Delphi Journal: One day last week a few charges of dynamite were placed where it was thought they would do the most good, in that portion of the old dam yet remaining in t 1 e Wabash river at Pittsburg, for the purpose ot blowing out the timbers that obstruct the channel, and to prevent the washing away of the west bank of the river, and also to protect the Air Line railroad bridge from damage. There was no secret or malicious intent about the matter, and the object| in blowing it out, was for the purpose of abating a nuisance Carroll county should have commenced an action for damages long ago against the parties who claim td own the franchise of thg old canal, of which the dam is a part, as thousands of dollars have been lost to the county and to property owners, by permitting the old structure to remain in the shape it has for the last six or eight years.

Ibid: The s tmewliat celebrated Loucks-Louthian case, bro’t here from Cass county, is set for trial, on the sth Monday, 9th Nov. of the court. It is expected that Judge Hammond will preside at the trial. Ibid: The publisher of the J ournal scores seventy years to-day— Sixty-ons years of.which, have been spent in a printing office. The Monticello Herald: Our old frier d and neighbor, J. W. McEwen, of the Rensselaer Sentinel, was in town Monday, looking as young and hearty as ho did fifteen years ago. Mac 1 is a candidate for the Rensselaer postoffice, and according to the eternal fitness of things he should have the appointment. He has served his party faithful y and well in a strong republican county, and to commission him postmaster would be nothing more than a just recognition of his valuable services. Ibid: The jury in the cause of the State against Wm. Fisher, charged with malicious mayhem, came in last Thursday with a verdict of not guilty. The indictment against Charles Shafer on a similar charge was thereupon nol prossed, and upon affidavit the two were rearrested on the charge of simple mayhem and will be again tried at the next term of court. Simple mayhem comes under the head of misdemeanors and is therefore not a penitentiary offense.