Democratic Sentinel, Volume 22, Number 37, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 September 1898 — SHOT BY A STRANGER [ARTICLE]

SHOT BY A STRANGER

HOLD-UP IN A MOMENCE, ILL., RAILROAD YARD. A Chicago Mam Fatally Wounded, Robbed and Left Lying Beside the Tracks—Row Over a Partition Fence Ends in a Murder. Bravely Resisted a Hold-Up. .¶ Louis B. La Franchere of Chicago died from a bullet wound received while he was struggling with two men who were attempting to rob him. The robbery took place at Momence, Ill., on the tracks of the Chicago and Eastern Illinois Railroad. After the thugs had secured La Franchere’s watch and a considerable sum of money they ran away, leaving him lying at the side of the rails. La Franchere was a railroad engineer, and until recently had been employed by the Chicago and Eastern Illinois. For a month he had been seeking work. While waiting for a freight to move out of the Momence yards he made the acquaintance of two strange men. While the men were waiting the strangers proposed that they walk down the tracks a short distance. La Franchere accompanied his new-found acquaintances to a lonely spot at the outskirts of Momence, and was surprised to feel the arms of one of his companions suddenly lock around his neck. At the same time the robber exclaimed “You remain quiet now or I’ll blow the top of your head off.” La Franchere had the build and strength of an athlete, and he grappled with the man who had his arms around his neck. The other robber stood near, but offered to take no part in the struggle. The man with the drawn revolver was being worsted when the fellow placed the weapon against La Franchere’s abdomen and fired. Both men then fled after robbing La Franchere. An hour later one of the yard switchmen found La Franchere. KILLS TWO CONSTABLES. Bloody Work Done by a Young Man to Obtain Property. .¶ At Garrett, Pa., F. P. Myers took possession of a house left to him by his mother, who died five months ago. The deed was not signed by his father, Christley Myers, who had a life tenure in the property. When Christley Myers arrived he found the house barricaded, his son refusing him entrance. He at once went to Somerset, swore out a warrant for forcible entry and detainer and on his return secured service for the writ. Young Myers fired at the approaching constable, killing Michael Kearney. Then he fled to his boarding house immediately adjoining, where Constable Nelson Lenhart and his brother, John Lenhart, followed him. He fired again, killing John Lenhart instantly. Sheriff Martin Hartzell of Somerset in a short time arrived with a posse. A crowd of infuriated citizens was guarding the boarding house, in the cellar of which young Myers was hiding. After an hour’s waiting a raid was made. A dozen shots were exchanged. Myers was finally overpowered and while being taken down the steps of the house was struck by a gun in the hands of somebody in the crowd. He was knocked unconscious, but later recovered and was removed to Somerset. MURDER OVER A LINE FENCE. Iowa Farmers Near Yale Quarrel —Isaac Fitz Kills James McClellan. .¶ A murder which nearly ended in a lynching occurred near Yale, lowa. Isaac Fitz and James McClellan, prosperous farmers, quarreled over a partition fence. Finally McClellan mounted his horse and started home, when Fitz went into the house, got his shotgun and, returning, fired both barrels point blank at McClellan, riddling him with shot and killing him instantly. Fitz then took a load of hogs to town, drew his pay and leisurely returned home. The body of McClellan was still lying where it had fallen and Fitz loaded it into the wagon and took it to the McClellan home. He dumped the body in the yard and returned to his home, where he was arrested a few hours later. The officers quietly spirited the prisoner away to escape lynching, as the farmers were aroused to a high pitch by the news of Fitz’s brutality. The men were broth-ers-in-law, McClellan’s wife being Fitz’s sister. National League Standing. Following is the standing of the clubs in the National Baseball League: W. L. W. L. Boston 86 44 Philadelphia . >64 62 Baltimore .. .82 46Pittsburg ... .67 66 Cincinnati . .81 53 Louisville .. .56 75 Cleveland ...73 55Brooklyn ....48 75 Chicago 73 60 Washington. 42 87 New Y0rk...70 60St Louis 34 04 The Western League pennant has been won by Kansas City. Final standings warn * w. L. w. L. Kansas City.Bß 51 Columbus ...73 6C Indianapolis. 84 50 Detroit 50 87 Milwaukee ..82 57 Minneapolis. 48 92 St. Paul 81 58 St. Joseph... .42 93 Miner's Strike Ended. The coal miners’ strike in the third pool at Monongahela City, Pa., is over and work has been resumed in all the pits pending a settlement of the differences by arbitration. About 2,000 miners were affected by the strike, which threatened to spread to all points in the Pittsburg district. English Street Car Fatality. An electric street car was derailed while descending a hill at Bradford, England. Fifty persons were seriously injured. Disastrous Fire in Toledo. Ten persons cremated, eight more fatally burned and eight seriously injured is the record of the most disastrous fire that ever occurred in Toledo. The spontaneous combustion of dust in the grain elevator owned by Paddock, Hodge & Co. caused this terrible destruction of life. Woman Sentenced for Manslaughter. .¶ At Zanesville, Ohio, Delia Dickerson, convicted of manslaughter, was sentenced to ten years in the penitentiary. She had killed her sister’s child because it was a burden to her. Nine Drowned In a Collision. The steamship Gloucester of the Merchants and Miners’ Transportation Company, which arrived at Boston from Baltimore, reports that she collided with the Gloucester schooner Alice Jordan off Marthas Vineyard, and that nine of the Jordan’s crew were drowned. Seven of the crew were saved. May Not Fight with Chili. The probabilities of a peaceful solution of the boundary dispute between Argentina and Chili increase. The Argentine chamber has voted confidence in the government, authorizing the mobilization of 80,000 men if the chamber considers such action opportune. Boat Blown Up by a Torpedo. During a test of Cunningham torpedos in Priest’s cove, near New Bedford, Mass., the experiment schooner Freeman was blown up and sunk by the explosion of a projectile. A dozen men were on board of her at the time, but all escaped serious injpry. Building Falls Down. The New York building, a. three-story brick structure on West Park street, Butte, Mont., collapsed about 10:30 o’clock the other morning, carrying down sixteen persons, burying some, but killing no one. The lower floor was being remodeled.

INDIANS ARE-STARVINC. Comanchaa, Kiowa* and Apichaa In Indian Terrltary Ara Going Hungry. The Indians upon the Comanche, Kiowa and Apache reservations, in the Indian territory, are suffering from hunger. The issue of rations ceased in June and during July and August they managed in one way or another to maintain an existence, but recently they have been making inroads upon the herds of cattle belonging to white men who have leased the grass land. The cattlemen so far have made little objection, as the Indians have no other resources. In some parts of the reservation the destitution has reached an advanced state and the Indians are forced to rely upon game and what cattle may be stolen and killed for subsistence.

PLASTERERS IN A RIOT. Non-Union Man Fatally Wou ided b/ Btrik•r* in Bt. Loui*. Striking plasterers precipitated a riot at De Hodiamont,- at the western limits of St. Louis, in which William Kane, a non-union worker, was fatally wounded and three others seriously hurt. Mounted police responded to a riot call and were met by a fusillade of bullets from the strikers. The police replied with a number of shots and a charge on the crowds, dispersing them and resulting in the arrest of Nat Brown and Joe Lee, who are thought to be the ringleaders. For some time there has been a strike on among the plasterers of that city and vicinity for higher wages, but until this occasion no serious trouble has resulted. MISTAKE CAUSES DEATH. Wealthy New York Contractor I* Killed by Falling Over a Banister. Elijah Brainerd, a contractor, was found dead in the hallway of 402 West Twenty-third street, New York. His neck was broken, apparently by a fall over the banister. Brainerd lived in the house adjoining the one in which he was killed. No one in No. 402 heard a fall or any unusual noise in the house. Mrs. Brainerd says she saw her husband coming up the street, apparently toward his home, at 2 o’clock, and waited for him, but he never reached there. She believes that he entered the wrong house by mistake, and in his confusion stumbled on the stairs.

COOK POISONED THE FOOD. Oonfetalon Made by Member of Oorean King** Household. It is reported at Seoul, Corea, that a high official of the palace named Ko has made a confession that he ordered the cook of the royal household to poison food intended for the king and crown prince, both of whom became seriously ill. The official further confessed that the poisoning plot was instigated by a former interpreter attached to the Russian legation at Seoul, who was once a court favorite, but is now in disgrace. Young Hus bind Has Gone. Arthur Wolf, who for many years was behind the counter of one of the cigar stands in the Midway at Union station, St. Louis, has turned up missing, leaving a bride of but a few months to mourn his absence. Wolf eloped a few months ago with Miss Pauline Williams, a beautiful girl, but 16 years old. Her father has charge of all the newsboys about the Union station, and at one of the news stands Miss Williams presided. It was in this way that she became acquainted with Wolf, and their acquaintance ripened into love. The elopement followed. It is said, however, that his wife’s ideas were too large for the $lO-a-week salary Wolf was making, and that when she had ordered a sl7 hat and expected him to pay for it that did settle it. Arthur applied to Col. Anderson, passenger agent of the Vandalia, for advice. Col. Anderson, however, refused to counsel him, as he did not want to interfere in the couple’s domestic woes. He told Wolf to go home and make up with his wife, as she was still young and would change in time. It appears, however, that Wolf did not do this, for he boarded a Vandalia train for New York, It is said. The next morning his young wife was about the station ih search of her husband, and when she learned that he had gone she was nearly heartbroken. 8 !v*rwar* Men Combine. The Meriden Britannia Company and the Wilcox Silver Plate Company have issued circulars to their stockholders stating that the International Silver Company has been formed under the laws of New Jersey with a capital stock es $15,000,000 preferred and $15,000,000 common stock. Most of the stockholders, it is said, have agreed to accept SSO in cash, SSO in preferred stock and $25 in common stock of the consolidated companies for each share of stock. The Wilcox company directors have voted to accept $37.50 in cash, $35.50 in preferred stock and $18.75 in common stock for each share of the company’s stock. It is understood that most of the stock has been offered on these terms. The Britannia company will receive $4,400,000 for its plant and the Wilcox company about sl,375,000. In addition to these concerns C. Rogers & Bro. of Meriden will get $500,000 and the Meriden Silver Plate Company and the Manning & Bowman company will also be sold. It is said that Samuel Dodd, secretary of the Wilcox company, will be the president.

Just Missed by a Train. Mrs. A. P. Newkirk and Mrs. A. Gardner of Sedalia, Mo., had a miraculous escape from death. They were riding in a buggy when their horse took fright at a Missouri Pacific freight train. They raced alongside of the locomotive for nearly two blocks and then crossed the track in front of the train. The buggy was overturned In a cattle guard and the ladies thrown to one side of the track and severely injured. The horse was ground to pieces under the wheels of the engine. Cyclone’s Damage on 8L Vincent. St. Vincent, 100 miles west of Barbados, has experienced the most violent and destructive cyclone ever known there. Kingston, the capital, is totally destroyed. It is estimated that 300 lives have been lost in that island, and that 20,000 people are homeless. The amount of property destroyed is enormous. Cont nut Riots at Trieste. The anti-Italian demonstrations at Trieste, Austria, were renewed. An attack upon the Italian Club being feared, a detachment of two hundred policemen was sent to guard the building. The police and soldiery arrested 120 rioters. Many of the latter had arms in their possession. Fralght Oars Ran Wild. An accident occurred at Rockland, Cal., to the overMnd train. Three cars from a freight train broke loose and ran down grade, crashing into the overland, which ■is being pulled up the grade by two ennes. No one was killed, but five persons ere seriously injured. Married to Four Women. William Madden of Fort Scott, Kan., is under bond to answer to the charge of bigamy. He left a wife and went to Missouri, where two women went to the altar with him. He then deserted them and went to Kansas, marrying the fourth. Two M sslons Attacksd. The Shanghai correspondent of the London Daily News says reports have been received there of serious rioting at Ho Ohau, fifty miles from Chung Kiang. The American and French missions have been attacked and the latter burned. South Dakota Sena tor Laid Lew James H. Kyle, United States Senator from South Dakota, was suddenly stricken with apoplexy at the Forest City House, Cleveland, Ohio. His condition is considered serious, though it is believed he will recover. Moat Favorable Builneis Outlock Bradstreet’s commercial report says: “Reports of still further enlarged distribution at most Western markets and of slight improvement at Eastern centers,

demand has been slower to materialize; enlarged foreign demand for breadstuffs; increased railway earnings, not entirely due to the swelling movement of grain to market, which, indeed, is still behind last year’s record; bank clearings increased over last week and over all corresponding weeks except one year ago, when speculation was very active; rather better than expected Government crop reports and enlarging exports of American manufactured are all features tending to make the trade situation at present a notable one. Crop impairment in Angust, not unusual nor unexpected, proves to have been less than feared, and average conditions of leading crops—notably wheat, corn, cotton and potatoes—are better than one year ago. Operative in inducing the improved foreign demand for our wheat and flour, perhaps, has been a tendency to shade early estimates of the world’s wheat crop this year, some figures being as low as 2,500,000,000 bushels, Which, while larger than last year, is still below that of 1894. This, with the low state of the world’s wheat supplies and the slower than expected movement from American farmers’ hands to leading markets, has increased the premium on cash wheat, and nervous short sellers of September delivery have covered, with the result of advancing prices. The continued rise in ocean freight rates is taken to confirm reports of recent large export sales.” LEECH LAKE INDIANS EXCITED. Trouble I* LwCcezl For as a Result of the I es S'J* of Prisoner*. Deputy United States Marshal Morrison arrested Pug Onary Keshing and Shabon Dash King, pillagers, at the Leech Lake Indian agency, and while trying to get them on board a steamer to take them to Walker, Minn., they were rescued by their band. The Indians refused to give up the prisoners and are much excited. They have just been paid their annuities and whisky has been smuggled into the agency. In consequence the Indians are insolent and ready for trouble. Indian Agent Sutherland has held a council with Dr. F. Hart, the resident physician, and has decided to rearrest the men if troops have to be called out to do it. There is prospect of trouble of a serious character. WHEAT FAMINE IN RUSSIA. Drop in the Vo'ga District Is Completely Ruined. John W. Bookwaller of Springfield, 0., writing from Russia, tells in a private letter of the immense destruction of wheat in the famous Volga district, which he says was completely burned out. This district is the finest cereal section of Russia. As it contains from 10,000,000 to 12,000,000 of people, he says it will require the importation of great quantities of grain to make up the deficiency and prevent suffering. A Russian official connected with the railway ministry told him that they expected to have to import into the unfortunate provinces not less than 80,000,000 bushels of wheat this year. Sa Isbury fowl to the Czir. The Pekin correspondent of the London Times says: “Despite Lord Salisbury’s declaration that he would brook no interference from any other power in the NiuChwang railway loan contract, he has now yielded to all the conditions Russia imposed. As a result the negotiations with the English syndicate have been broken off and those with the Russo-Chin-ese bank have been resumed.” Fronch Cab nst Offlcsr Rs*lgn*. As a result of the French cabinet’s decision to appoint a special commission tc review the documents in the Dreyfus case, Minister for War Zurlinden and_ Minister of Public Works Tillaye have resigned. Gen. Chanoine was appointed to succeed the former and Senator Godin was given the place vacated ny the latter. Nsgro Shoots a Woman. Miss Effie McKibbon was probably fatally wounded by a pistol shot from a negrtA while riding home from a negro campjmieeting near Birmingham, Ala., with USeorge Noble. The negro was caugW and lynched. Mew Head for Mormon Church. Atlk special meeting of the council of apostles held in Sult Lake Lorenzo Snow was ffihosen president of the Church of JesudfChrist of Latter Day Saints, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of President Woodruff. j: Dawjcn Hat 16,000 Sou s. F. 6. Wade, crown attorney of the Klondike, estimates the gold output this season at $8,000,000. A recent census shows that there are 16,000 people in Dawson and 10,000 rivers and creeks m the district. Daughter cf Con'edsracy Dies. Miss “Winnie” Davis, daughter of the late Jefferson Davis, died at the Hotel Rockingham, Narragansett Pier, R. 1., from sub-acute gastritis, after an illness of nearly two months. Submits It to V ctoria. The Argentine minister at Paris says that the boundary dispute between Chili and Argentine will be submitted to the arbitration of Queen Victoria. Biack-m th a Murderer a-id B'icite Arthur Hoffman, a Pine Hill, N. Y„ blacksmith, murdered his wife and killed himself. Jealousy is believed to have led to the double tragedy. Shspard io fupemi Ccmiuid. Col. Frank L. Shepard of Chicago was chosen commander-in-chief of the Sons of Veterans at their national encampment in Omaha. Boston ex-Mayjr Deai. F. W. Lincoln, who served seven terms as Mayor of Boston, Mass., is dead at his home in Dorchester. Wifj Murderer Hang'd. At Bracebridge, Ont., William James Hammond was hanged for the murder of his wife. Gov. EHerbi Re-e >ct*d. Gov. Ellerbe has been re-elected in South Carolina by a safe majority.