Democratic Sentinel, Volume 15, Number 42, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 November 1891 — A TRAGEDY AT MONON. [ARTICLE]

A TRAGEDY AT MONON.

[Monticello Herald. | Monon is the scene of a salloon tragedy, which on its face does not tend to commend the methods am< usages of tne liquor craft K that little burg. On Wednesday of last week a worn n named Dora Thorp reached that place from Chicago. She was evidently a hardened specimen oi her sex and seemed to be at home in saloons. She entered the place of Win. VanArsdel, a young man who has only recently embarked in the liqnor business, and had previously borne a good reputation. She drank two glasses ot beer, which it is alleged she failed to pay for and when asked to do so became quarrelsome and threatened VanArsdel with a razor. Wheth er the razor was drawn or not is a disputed question, bat at any rate VanArsdel threw a beer glass at her and knocked her down. It i s also stated that he took her bv the foot and dragged her out of doors. She was taken to a hotel, and som* of the ladies of the town, being apprised of her condition, came and gave her ad the attention and comfort in their power. Dr. Carr dressed her wounds, and she was able to be placed on the train a: d sent to LaFayette. Soon after her arrival at the city she became unconscious and was taken to the jail hospital, where she died about 11 o’clock Saturday forenoon. She is described as about twenty years old with a comely face and figure and indications that her life had not always been depraved. She claimed to have relatives at Newcastle' and at one time is said to have lived in LaFayette. A post mortem Saturday evening disclosed a fracture of the skull, a portion of the bone having penetrated the brain. As soon as her death was known Deputy Sheriff McKee of Tippecanoe county proceeded to Mono and arrested VanArsdel. When informed of the result of his deed he said it was “too bad” but was willing to accompany the officer, asking only the privilege of changing his clothes. He was soon lodged in jail at Lafayette, and his preliminary hearing was set for yesterday afternoon before J ustict Walton.

VanArsdel is about 29 years old and does not look like a murderer, though he is said to have a very high temper. He has never had any trouble 1 efore and up to the tin; e he entered the saloon business was regarded as a young man of excellent qualities. He was mar* ned only the evening before hf com mitted the deed to Miss Mamie Ward, daughter of Mr. Miller Ward, a well known and promine't ciHaenof Monon township. His .sffctber*4n-law accompanied him to juaFavette and promises to give *be biil required. Messrs, gamier Jr Gaylord and R. P. DeHart have been retained as counsel for the prisoner. It is thought ihat his trial will eventually come *A» thsi county by changefof venue, <BB I anArsdel has many friends dthout Monon, but on the other fesgad kfa stated that the temperance pesvptc of Monon are up in arms against him and propose to give the proaecotiop all the assistance in the’r pow^r. It is hard to understand bow a mao with the traits of young Van£s£~l*HS£T conW In bit each brutality to a woman, -even though fallen and dissipated.

such a position that it is claimed she could not nave placed it there after being felled 1 v the beer glass and consequently'.could not have been flourish ng at the time she was struck. Will Moss, of Detroit, is visiting his mother a..d friends in Rensselaer. Rob Phillips has returned from Cameron Springs. Val Seib, of Chicago, visited Rensselaer friends Sunday. 0. S. Dale lias assumed management of the Nowels House, and ex-sheriff Yeoman & Son have taken charge of - the Makeever. Halloween narties were given by Ylisses Maud Be jamin and Nellie Moss Saturday evening. Rev. H. V. AVeaver and Miss Hattie Flynn will be married at the M. E. church, Rensselaer, next Wednesday evening. Jesse Greenfield, Hutchinson, Kansas, is visiting his broth-r aua friends in Rensselaer and vicinity. J H. Willey and ramily took their departure xuonday for South Bend, their future home. Rev. I. I. Gorby will preach the dedicatory sermon of the new S<:ylorville school house next Sunday at 2 o’clock. The people are cordially invited to attend Lute strong is the successor of J. H. Wille in the management of the Creamery.