Democratic Sentinel, Volume 12, Number 36, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 September 1888 — Page 3

TEMPLE OF MONDAMIN.

THE MAGNIFICENT CORN PALACE , AT SIOUX CITY, lOWA. A Dazzling Structure of Maize and Cereals—Graphic and Interesting Description ■ —A 845-Ca's Lawsuit Bankrupts Liti- j gants and Impoverishes Communities. [Sioux City (Iowa) special.) The second annual corn-palace festival opened in this city under most propitious auspices. The streets were thronged with visitors, and the eity was ablaze in its holiday attire of maize. The brightness and splendor of the palace of Mondamin outshines that of 1887 as the noonday sun outshines the gentle twilight. The idea and the working out thereof is distinctly original with Sioux City, and she claims the honor ■of being the “only corn-palace city of the world.” The palace is 150x150 feet in size, and occupies every inch of a quarter block of ground. At the southwest corner or main entrance rises the main tower to a height of 175 feet, while to the east and north are Norman towers which support the Moorish pavilions. At the apex of the main pavilion rises a flag-staff to a height from the ground of nearly two hundred feet. From each corner of the pavilion rise smaller flag-staffs, from which float beautiful streamers bearing the words “■lowa,” "Dakota,” “Nebraska” and “Minnesota.” In the main tower there is a winding stairway, and from the top a splendid view of the city can be obtained. Between the small towers are beautiful fountains in the center of miniature landscapes, Imade as natural as life with gree'n, grassy sods, mossy rocks and dwarf trees, with a silvery rivulet flowing past.

The great body of the outside is covered with ears of corn, sawed lengthwise through the center, and nailed with two brads with the flat or cob side next to the walls. To relieve the monotony different colors are used, and white, red, speckled, purple, and golden-yellow ears were obtained. The exterior is laid off into panels, which are plainly marked by the varied colors of the great Western product. Next to the ground is a wainscoting of cornstalks, stripped of their leaves and packed close together. The entrances, windows, etc., are also bordered with cornstalks prepared in the same way. The railing of the towers is also covered with cornstalks, and the long stalks of grain—wheat and oats—while the capstones •of the turrets are represented by the bushy heads of millet, bearded oats, and sorghum seed. Springing from the inmost corners of the towers to the apex corner of the roof of the main pavilion are light festoons, or, to use the architectural term, flying buttresses, covered with full sheaves of golden grain, and imparting an effect, of massiveness to the structure. The roof lines are harmoniously irregular, sweeping from the central pavilion to the exterior as the several front elevators require. The broken and irregular outline was intentional in order to give a maximum surface for decoration. The apertures in the towers are spacious, generally of an arched style along the upper sources and entrances' but angular in the ground course. This purpose was also to give a ‘variety of outline for decorative purposes. Thus, while the structure is ■of a composite and original architectural order, the plan is admirably adapted to the uses for which it was designed. In addition to the plans of decoration furnished by the artist, many original and unique designs are worked out by the deeorators themselves. Panels are laid out and covered with variegated ears, mostly sawed lengthwise, but some cut’ crosswise of the ear, forming bright rosettes, about an inch thick and of the diameter o' the corn ear. A single slender nail through the center of the cob holds each piece in place, and many fanciful designs are thus made. Signs and mottoes are made, the borders being stalks denuded of blades and ears, interwoven with golden wheat-straw and somber-col-ored sorghum heads. The letters are made by fastening the corn rosettes as above, and a very gorgeous style of block-letter is produced. The windows of all the towers are latticed with corn ears strung on wires. Some are purple, some are red, others yellow, and still others white, giving that variety of coloring which is at once the charm and novelty of the general effect. Viewed from the distance of a block or two the trifling irregularities of detail are softened and a magnificent blending of color is presented to the eye. The prevailing ■shade, of course, is yellow, while the red and white of the corn ears, the brown of the sorghum, and the dead green of *the corn blades relieve the outward surface of a monotony which might ordinarily have been ■expected, while the varying heights of the salient outlines add a charm of perspective, with lights and shadows, that combine to produce a singularly beautiful and striking effect. The interior of the palaeo is veritably a a realm of enchantment, Under the brightness shed by half a hundred electric lights after nightfall, it presents an appearance that rivals Fairyland. From the rough plank walls, ungainly posts, and a high vaulting dome of irregular outline and unsightly rough surface has been created a bower of beauty never before equaled in any clime. And all this marvel was worked without the aid of those adjuncts of decorative arts which have heretofore been deemed essential to the plans of skilled artisans. There is no tinsel or fine material, no precious metals, no use of costly pigments. An ear of yellow corn, a handful of prairie grass, a bunch of unsightly weeds, a wisp of golden straw—these are the materials used. Scattered about the walls are appropriate mottoes curiously wrought with corn and other field grains and grasses. The rough posts that support the galleries are covered with corn and changed into Tonic, Dorie. •Gothic, and Corinthian columns, while ■others are laden with bouquets of tinted grasses. The ceilings under the galleries are ornamented with devices that can not be described in words so as to convey a suggestion of their appearance. Landscapes, maps, flags, mottoes, a music staff with corn-stalk notes, emblems of husbandry, and quotations significant of the fertility of the country are everywhere shown. A seemingly infinite variety of designs is presented to the eye, and the originality of the decorations is truly amazing. The palace is lighted by electricity, and is fitted with appliances for fighting fire and has a perfect system of sewerage. The exhibits by counties, townships, towns, and individuals are far in advance of anything ever seen at State and county fairs. In addition to the decorations of the palace proper, the entire city is in holiday attire. On all the principal street intersections in the business portion great gas-pipe arches have been erected, each bearing three hundred colorted-glass globes. Nearly every business house and many private residences are beautifully decorated with corn and cereals in a multiplicity of designs that bid fair to eclipse even the palace itself. From a simple veneering of corn in the ear to a complex and carefully drawn [plan of artistip adornment, every building is made to honor the event of the second annual festival of King Corn. The palace is built by an incorporation ..known as the Sioux City Corn-Palace Exposition Company, having an authorized capital of $250,000, the idea being to make the institution a permanent one. The pal--ace has cash in the neighborhood of $60,000, •atid over fifty thousand bushels of corn and

grain have been used. Already is a move on foot to convert the building into an ice-palace, with another jubilee during the midwinter holiday season.

A CELEBRATED CASE.

A Law Suit Involving 845 Fourteen Years on Trial —Litigants Bankrupt and Communities Impoverished. [Waterloo (Iowa) special.) The celebrated Jones County calf case came up again for hearing, this time in this city. It is a case with a history. It had its origin fourteen years ago; has been tried in several District Courts: been heard in the Supreme Court two or three times, and now comes up for adjudication once more. In 1874 the case was started in Jones County by a farmers’ society. A man by the name of Potter, of Greene County traveled through that section buying young stock. Among the rest five calves were bought of one Johnson, who has been the prominent figure in the litigation which has consumed so much time. The calves which were sold were afterward identified as belonging to farmers in the vicinity. At a meeting of the Jones County Anti-Horse Thief Society, held shortly after, it was determined to charge Johnson with the theft of the animats, and suit was accordingly entered. In December. 1874, he was indicted by the Grand Jury in session in Jones County, but the Court set the indictment aside. In February of the following year he was again indicted by the Grand Tury, and oi> this indictment he was twice ied, taking change of venue to adjoining counties. In the first trial the jury disagreed, one man remaining firm in favor of conviction. but in the second trial, which occurred in 1876, he was acquitted. Soon after his acquittal he began suits against farmers by the names of Miller and Foreman, and six other prominent members of the society, claiming SIO,OOO damages for malicious prosecution. This case was taken up on a change of venue from Jones County to Clinton. There it was twice tried, and then removed to Benton County on a change of venue, where it was once more before the courts. In each of these trials the jury returned a verdict in favor of Johnsoi’i for amounts ranging from $3,000 to $7,000, and each time the Judge set the verdict aside on account of alleged errors.

The case was next taken to Blackhawk Gounty in 1883, on another change of venue, and there tried, a verdict of $5,000 rendered by the jury and judgment entered. From this, however, an appeal was taken to the Supreme Court, the decision reversed, and the case remanded back for trial in 1884. In 1886 the case was once more tried in Blackhawk County, and again a decision was rendered in favor of Johnson for $7,000. This was again appealed to the Supremo Court, and once more the verdict was set aside and the case sent back for trial in 1887, and the sixth trial of the case occurs after fourteen years bf litigation. This litigation has been under the consideration of thirty grand jurors and eighty-four petit jurors. It has been presented to nine different trial judges, and has twice been before the Supreme Court, five judges sitting upon the bench each time. The court costs alone amount to more than $5,000, and the attorneys’ fees are much more than that amount. All of the eighty-four jurors have decided in favor of Johnson, but the courts have uniformly set the verdicts aside on legal grounds, because of the close question as to whether there was probable cause on the part of the members of the society for starting prosecution.

The large part of a lifetime has been spent in useless litigation over a few animals, the entire value of which was about $45. A number of the farmers engaged in the suits have become hopelessly ruined, but still Johnson comes smilingly before the court, begins his suits, and readily pays for them, and is already an old man. Children of various ages, who testified when the legislation first began, now lead into court their own children, who are nearly as old as were their parents at the time they made their first bow to the courts. The farmers are growing old. their money has leaked away through the various legal crevices, and found its way into other hands; homes have been broken up, a community made poorer in every way, and still the case is dragged through the tedious channels of the law, with but little more chance of settlement than there was fourteen years ago.

OLD CORN ON HAND.

An Immense Corn Crop Predicted—That Now Held by Farmers. The following crop and stock summaries appeared in the last issue of the Chicago Farmers' Review: As there is every prospect at the present time tor an immense crop of corn this year, it is a matter of interest to ascertain something regarding the amount of corn of the 1887 crop in the farmers’ hands, and also facts relative to the supply of hogs for the consumption of the new crop. A very thorough canvass of the country, through the medium of our correspondents, enables us to offer important facts on these subjects. In Illinois thirty-two counties report an average of 7 per cent, of the old crop remaining on hand. All other counties report none left. Wisconsin—Only six counties report old corn on hand; average, 8)4 per cent. Indiana—Twenty-five counties report 7)4 per cent, old corn on hand. All others report none left. Ohio—Forty-one counties report an average of 6% per cent, of old crop unsold, and the rest? none. Missouri—Twenty-four counties report an average 0f6% per cent, of old crop on hand. Rest none. lowa—Forty-five counties report an average of 6 per cent, of old crop on hand, and the rest none. Minnesota—Only four counties report old com on hand—7)4 per cent. Kansas—Only eight counties report old com on hand ; average 6% per cent. Nebraska —Twenty-one counties report an average of 7)4 per cent, of old crop on hand; rest, none. Dakota—Our returns are not complete from Dakota; five counties report 1J 4-5 per cent, of old crop on hand. THE SUPPLY OF HOGS. Our reports show that all over the West the supply of hogs falls considerably below that of last year: Illinois—Six counties report an average supply ; all others report fewer than usual. Wisconsin—Average supply in eight counties ; under average in remainder. Indiana—Thirty counties report supply of hogs less than usual; fourteen counties report average supply. Michigan—Only eight counties report an average supply. Ohio—'lhirty-four counties report supply less than average ; sixteen counties report average number, and two counties more than average number. Missouri—Four counties have more than an average supply, whi e only nine counties of the remainder have an averag s supply. Kentucky—Only five counties report an average supply of hogs. lowa—Fifty-three counties under average; fourteen counties usual aveiage; four counties above average. Minnesotar-Twenty-one counties under average ; fifteen counties usual average; two counties over average. Kansas—Thirty-five counties under average; two counties over average. Nebraska—Eighteen counties under average ; eleven counties usual average; six counties above average. Dakota—About twenty per cent, of the counties have less than the average supply of hogs. Estimated yield of pot itoes per acre: Illinois, 91 bushels ; Wisconsin, 110 3-5 bushels ; Indiana, 61 2-5 bushels; Michigan 107)4 bushels; Ohio, S>7 4-7 bushe.s; Kentucky, 70)4 bushels ; Missouri, 90 1-5 bushels ; lowa, 117)4 bushels; Minnesota, 112)4 bushels; Kansas, 61% bushels ; Nebraska, 118)4 bushels; Dakota, 107% bushels.

FEMALE TRAINING INSTITUTES.

BY FREDERIC TOWNSEND.

our sons to traverse than it has been for us bald-headed pioneers. I would rather beard the royal Bengal tiger in his Bessemer drawing-room, though, than be a professor in the institute.

I would that every man hesitating on the threshold of matrimony would cut this out, and mention the name of this paper when he writes. There was no household editor evolving this thought when I bounded into the arena of married life, hence I have laid the dust of several summers with tears of repentance. My error consisted in seeking to train the recognized exponent of my domestic ties. Were Ito harbor such a purpose again I should very guardedly tell her so in a sealed document not to be opened until after my death. One of my first advances was to demonstrate the utility of tobacco in fertilizing the atmosphere of the fireside. I showed conclusively how many millions of microbes were snuffed out per second by the fumes of old Virginia leaflets. Statistics, I can now declare from experience, have no power to soften a woman’s heart. So I harness the microbes only in the woodshed, with a heavy astrakhan for a smoking jacket. *

Another course in domestic culture I had planned for her comprised flexibility in arranging my armchair by the evening lamp and locating my slippers conveniently near. We never got beyond the rudiments in this branch of instruction, as she showed tendencies of mature reflection in a different school of thought. I usually am lucky enough to find the slippers without going outside the city limits, and am now satisfied if nothing worse than a nest of kittens interferes with their fit.

Chemistry was next dropped from the curriculum. An oral effort of mine on “Bread Making” awoke no slumbering ambition in the idol of my adoration. Perhaps she had got a tip that ambition killed Cromwell. Mayhap she deemed it much a-dough about nothing. At any rate, the warty hand I often grasp in the fervency of a political canvass or a chance meeting at the bar, makes my bread as well, and I always hold it up to the light, like a piece of smoked glass or a precious gem, before I partake of it. I would not cast any reproach upon it, but I would reap any roach I found in it without a single lingering regret.

I once beamed fondly on each maid I met upon the strand, And on occasion not too staid, Could squeeze a velvet hand; A tapering waist I often laced With arm that knew well how— But I haven’t, I haven’t, I haven't for a long time now. • This feature of my disposition I purposed letting my wife get used to gradually, but, meanwhile, she entered a protest which I was injudicious enough to lend an ear to. Possibly a wife can be trained to clamber up a trellis like a grapevine, and one I had got so she could climb up the stairway to my office every time a pretty girl was within. Speaking of trains and women, let me reside a moment on the suggestive fact that the Goddess of Liberty always flags her train. Assuming that the full course in the training institute will cover four years, I would suggest that the time might be profitably employed in pursuing the following curriculum: First Year— Cultivation of the giggle, to the end that it may be used with some discrimination. Second Year — Daily drill in overcoming the temptation to look around to see how another woman’s new dress sets in the back. Third Year— Hygienic instruction in the dangers of theater-going, eating ice cream and candy, and wearing expensive bangles. Fourth Year— Etiquette of the parlor sofa. Avoidance of such trite expressions as “Oh, Gawge, this is so sudden,” and “I never was kissed by : man before in all my life. ”

Plating Without Batteries.

By the hydro-plastic process of M. A. Levy, thin coats of metal are deposited upon other metals without the use of batteries or dynamos. It depends upon a double decomposition, and permits of the electrolysis of all metals. The article to be coated is suspended by a zinc or iron wire in a solution of a suitable salt—as chloride of nickel for an iron of copper object—when the metal is deposited from the solution and the wire is attacked and dissolved. —Arkansaw Traveler.

Brother Jonathan.

The remains of Jonathan Trumbull, the first “war Governor” of Connecticut and the “Brother Jonathan” of the revolution, rest in a grass-covered and neglected tomb at Lebanon, the citizens of which town are now taking the preliminary steps toward the erection of a suitable memorial to his memory. It is proposed to dedicate the monument in 1890, on the day that marks the one hundred and fifth anniversary of the death of Governor Trumbull. Too great refinement is false delicacy, and true delicacy is solid refinement.—Rochefoucauld.

’NOTICE in papers that a wealthy but single old philanthropist is going to establish and endow a training institute for women. This will make the conjugal pathway much easier for

INDIANA STATE NEWS.

A CHRONICLE OF HAPPENINGS IN lIOOSIERDOM. Sliockiiiß I' aths. Terrible Accidents, HtirrJb’e Crime*, Proceedings of Courts, Secret Societies, and, in fact. Everything of Interest to the Boomers. The south-bound Chicago and Nashville express on the Evansville and Terre Haute Railway, ran into a north-bound freight at Emison Station, ten miles north of Vincennes. The freight had orders to take the siding at Emison, but owing to the sliding of the locomotive’s wheels on the rails, the freight was delayed in getting clear of the main track, and the express came rushing around a curve and struck the rear end of the freight. Engineer Lyons, of the express, reversed his engine, but the down grade made it impossible to stop in so short a distance. The locomotive was raised into the air and thrown over into the wagon road, almost entering a front door of a cottage near the track. Engineer Lyons jumped, but Fireman Shumaker remained on the engine, the former breaking an arm and injuring his head, while the latter escaped without a scratch. The passengers were thrown belter skelter about the cars, but all escaped, although it was next to marvelous that they did so. Court-Room Tragedy at Kokomo. A terrible tragedy occurred in ’Squire Bohan’s court at Kokomo. Samuel Pruitt fired two shots into the body of his wife and a third into J. C. Blacklidge, a prominent attorney of that city. An action for divorce was pending between the Pruitts, and a petty lawsuit was in progress. Mr. Blacklidge was shot in the right breast, but will probably recover. The woman was shot in the right shoulder, and will probably die. Mr. Pruitt has heretofore borne an excellent reputation. He served four and a half years in the army and was one of the body-guards of President Lincoln at the time of his assassination. Pruitt was captured and is now in jail awaiting trial. The couple had been married twenty-one years and have children grown. The shooting of Mr. Blacklidge, the prisoner claims, was accidental, but he intended to kill the wife and another man, who destroyed the sanctity of his household.

Attempted Burglary and Artion. Burglars entered the jewelry house of Sheldon. Swope <t Co., and attempted to overpower Edward Patterson, who occupies a sleeping room over the store, in order to force him to give the combination of the safe. Patterson was awakened when the burglars entered the room and a scuffle ensued, in which one of the thieves used a razor, with which he cut Patterson seventeen times on the arms, breast, and neck. Patterson fired five shots at his assailant, who made his escape through the back door. Before leaving the burglars poured kerosene around the safe and in the rubbish in the cellar, and set fire to the building, but the flames were quickly extinguished. Found Dead on a Railroad Track. Ira E. Smith, a young coal-oil dealer of Evansville, was found dead near Haubstadt, a station on the Evansville and Terre Haute Railroad. His head had been severed from his shoulders. It is believed by some that he committed suicide by allowing a train to pass over his neck, but other's fear he is a victim of foul play. He was a native of Cincinnati, was 30 years old, and had been married six months. He left home to go to an Odd Fellows’ meeting, and was not seen afterwards. The police are at work on the case, and promise some developments very soon.

Fatally Shot by a I.ejected Lover. A fatal shooting took place at the Gibson County fair grounds. Syl Grubb shot five times at Miss Gertie Downey, three balls taking effect. One tore out her right eye, and the two others struck her in the chest. Grubb and Miss Downey had been engaged, but the engagement had been broken. Grubb was jealous and enticed her to an isolated part of the grounds and shot her. She will die. Grubb was placed in jail, after making an attempt to take his own life. Both lived at Francisco.

A l?e«erve<l Promotion. Capt. Henry W. Lawton, of the Fourth Cavalry, has been appointed Assistant Inspector General of the U. 8. Army, with the rank of Major. Maj. Lawton gained great reputation as the captor of Geronimo, the Apache chief, and his promotion is a well-deserved recognition of brilliant services.. The news will be especially pleasing to his many Indiana friends. Maj. Lawton entered the military service in 1861, enlisting at his home in Fort Wayne in the Thirtieth Indiana volunteers. Buried in a Caving; Sewer. While Wm. Vondehren and a number of assistants were at work in the bottom of a sewer excavation, nine feet deep, at Seymour, the quick-sand gave way, and the sides of the ditch fell in, burying Vondehren and one of his assistants, Arthur Orrell, under about eight feet of sand and clay. Vondehren was extricated alive, but terribly injured internally, on his breast and shoulders, and is dying. Orrell'was suffocated before he could be rescued. The others escaped; with slight injuries. But One County Declines. Putnam is the only county in the

State that has declined to appropriate SIOO to place a memorial in the State soldiers' and sailors’ monument. It is presumed by the monument commissioners that some patriotic citizen will come forward with the money in order that the tablet reserved for that county may not remain blank. Every other county in the State has responded promptly, and a majority sent in money within a week after the notification.

Caught a Young Alligator. Lawrence Adams, while fishing in Lysle Lewis’ fish-pond near Osgood, saw something coming toward the bank. When it came to shallow water it stopped and raised its bead. Mr. Adams gently drew up his line and lowered his hook near the object, which quickly seized it. After quite a struggle Mr. Adams finally suceeded in landing a fine and vigorous young alligator about twenty inches long. The mystery is, how did it come there. Two Men Killed by a Trail). Two drunken men, Finley and Martin by name, while walking along the track of the L., N. A. A C. road, near New Providence, were run down by an incoming freight train and both killed. The head of one was crushed and the body of the other but in twain. They reside at Martinsburg, Washington County, and had been in attendance at the Pekin Fair. Not Guilty. At Shoals, the jury in the case of Indiana against John G. Jones, Wm. Stanfield, James Archer and John W. Stone for the murder of Jackson Ballard, on the 18th day of July, 1864, brought in the following verdict: “We the jury, find the defendants not guilty as changed in the indictment.’’

Minor State Items. —The l()-year-old daughter of Mr. Miller shot and instantly killed the 4-year-old son bf James Sheerlock, at the residence of Miller, Goshen. The children found a small target rifle, and commenced wrestling for possession of it. In the scuffle the hammer was raised and the gun fired, sending a bullet through the child’s brain.

—The boiler of Ervin’s saw-mill, lo- ■ ted three miles west of Princeton, exploded. Engineer Ed Ervin, and a logman named Cox, were both seriously and probably fatally scalded. —The suit of the city of Frankfort againsttbe Frankfort Water-works Company to compel the latter to allow a test of the works to be made by an expert, has been decided against the city by Judge Snyder, of the Montgomery Circuit Court.

—ln the Montgomery Circuit Court a suit is being brought by Matilda Elmore against Elisha Lane, a saloon-keeper at Crawfordsville, for selling whisky to her husband. Elmore bought whisky of Lane, got drunk and went home and thrashed his wife, who in turn sues Lane for $2,000 damages. —Frederick Stickfort, of Waldron, has filed in the Shelby Circuit Court a suit for SIO,OOO damages against the C., I. St. L. <t C. Railway. He was struck by a passenger train on Aug. 9, and badly hurt.

—Mrs. Jonathan Hostler, wife of a farmer living five miles east of Huntington, committed suicide on Monday by taking on rats. She had been demented for nearly a year. She was about thirty years of age, and leaves a husband and two young children. —The requirements for a right to vote in November in this State are: You must have been a resident of the State six months, a resident of the township sixty days and a resident of the precinct or ward in which you vote for thirty days prior to election. Any man who moved into Indiana on or after May 7, 1888, is deprived of his vote next fall, and any voter who moved from one township to another on or after Sept. 8, 1888, has also lost his vote, while the voter who moves from one precinct to another on or after Oct. 8, 1888, will have no right to vote.

—George Strealey, of Elkhart, was discharging his revolver at a mark when his young son stepped between him and the target and had a ball fired clear through his head. It is thought, however, that he will recover. —Thomas Blond, living near Columbus, is said to be the oldest man in the State, born in it. He was born in Clark County in 1804, and has always lived in this State. His wife is still living, and is only two months younger than her husband. —The Wabash Importing Company has begun the experiment of breeding fine Belgian draft horses at the stock farm of the company, near Wabash. A few days ago an importation of forty head of fine animals, valued at $60,000 arrived from Belgium, including several mares. —A wonderful natural-gas well has been developed at Lafontaine, Wabash County. Trenton rock was reached at a depth of 874 feet, and the rock had been penetrated but a few feet when there were strong traces of gas. —Nathan King, a laborer, 28 years old, was sitting on the platform at the Sheridan depot, when the fast train passing struck him, tearing him to pieces. Death followed immediately. He lived near Sheridan, and leaves a wife and two children. —At Fargo, Harry Hall, aged 17 years, was shot and instantly killed by the accidental discharge of a revolver in the hands of a companion named Burton.