Evening Republican, Volume 17, Number 284, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 November 1913 — ANOTHER CHAPTER OF WILLIS CRIME [ARTICLE]

ANOTHER CHAPTER OF WILLIS CRIME

Father of Mrs. Willis Puts Up $2,000 and Takes Over Property—Ships It To Ohio. Another and in a way a sad chapter in the James L. Willis ca&e, has just been enacted in Rensselaer and in this Willis himself has not figured very extensively, as he is confined athhe county jail. His wife’s father, James I. Harris, of near Springfield, Ohio, has been here two or three times since the Willis trial and a few days ago began settling all of the debts against Willis and preparing to ship the garage equipment to Springfield. The total indebtedness aggregated $2,000 and possibly some more. Included in this was the fine of SSOO imposed in Newton county and the costs of the trial, also the fees of his attorneys and a mortgage of $417 to the State Bank. Mr. Harris put up $2,000, taking a mortgage against the home of the aged parents of Willis, Mr. and Mrs. A-L. Willis, f0r.51,100.Mr. Harris has talked with a number of people here, so The Republican is informed, and shows that he is a man of business ability as well as a good and reasonable man. He has stated that he will ship all of-the garage equipment that can not be sold to advantage hare, to Springfield, Ohio, and after the release of his son-in-law will give him one more chance to make good, helping him in the garage business at Springfield with the warning that he shall pay attention to business and forever forego the tendencies which have ruined him in Rensselaer. Mr. Harris said he hoped that this experience would prove a lesson to Willis that he will never forget. Not only is the garage equipment to .be shipped away but also the household furniture, which has been packed and is being shipped today. The people of this city have the utmost compassion'for the wife and children and for their sake and for that of his aged parents, who in the declining years of life have been

called upon to put a mortgage of $l,lOO on their home, is it hoped that upon his release he sets about to become' a man and to exercise his ability as a mechanic to restore the shattered" hearts and homes he has so 'shamefully destroyed. We are unloading 6urTsth ear of flour this week, making three thousand, four hundred barrels for 1913. The quality is what sells Aristos. Try it. Every sack guaranteed.

JOHN EGER.