Indianapolis Journal, Indianapolis, Marion County, 1 January 1886 — Page 4

Ml DAILY JOURNAL BY JNO. C. NEW * SON. WASHINGTON OFFICE-Sl3 Fourteenth St. P. S. Heath, Correspondent. FRIDAY, JANUARY 1, 1886. gj*— - - BATES OF SUBSCRIPTION. TERMS INVARIABLY IN ADVANCE-POSTAGE PREPAID BY TUE PUBLISHERS. THE DAILY JOURNAL, One year, by mail $12.00 < tae yoar. by mail, including Sunday 14.00 ► Fix months, by mail 0.00 Fix months, by mail, including Sunday 7.00 Three months, by mail 3.00 Three months, by mail, including Sunday 3.50 One month, by mail 1.00 One month, by mail, including Sunday 1.20 I'er week, by carrier (in Indianapolis) .25 THE SUNDAYJOURNAL. Per copy 5 cents One year, by mail $2.00 THE INDIANA STATE JOURNAL. (WEEELt EDITION.) One year SI.OO Less than one year and over three months, 10c per month. No subscription taken for less than three months. In clubs of five or over, agents will take yearly subscriptions at sl, and retain 10 per cent, for their work. Address JNO. C. NEW & SON, Publishers The Journal, Indianapolis, Ind.

. THE INDIANAPOLIS JOURNAL. Car* be found at the following places: LONDON—American Exchango in Europe, 449 Strand. * PARTS—American Exchange in Tar is, 35 Boulevard dcs Capucines. NEW YORK—St. Nicholas and Windsor Hotels. CHICAGO—PaImer House. CINCINNATI—J. R. Hawley & Cos., 154 Vine street. LOUISVILLE—C. T. Hearing, northwest corner Third and Jefferson streets. • |3T. LOUlS—Union News Company, Union Depot and Southern Hotel. Telephone Calls. Business Office 238 | Editorial Rooms 242 A Novelette by Mrs. Barnett. The Sunday Journal will begin the new year with the publication of the first part of a new novelette from the pen of Mrs. Frances Hodgson Burnett, author of ‘‘That Lass o’ Lowrio’s,” /‘Through One Administration,” and other popular and powerful romances. The title of her patest work is “Much Ado,” and it will bo completed in four parts. The story is one that will add to the high reputation enjoyed by the distinguished novelist, and will be greatly enjoyed by the Journal’s readers.

A Happy New Y'ear. Tills is the day for turning over new leaves. Wit at effect would tho inoculation performed by M. Pasteur have upon one not bitten by a mad dog? TifE Polish Christians at Detroit haven’t bad a riot, nor murdered anybody for about .twenty-four Lours. The restraining influence of religion is evident. Tiie increase of 10 per cent, in the wages of the 4,000 employes of the Edgar Thomson stoel works, at Braddocks, Pa., is an encouraging sign that business is improving. A special cablegram from Vienna denies 'the statement that Austria refused to receive Keiloy because Lis wife is a Jewess. The Austrians objected to him for the same reason that decent Americans do—he is “a bloody and outrageous” fool. It is said that Pope Leo is about to strike a blow at France because of her rude treatment of the clergy. He expects to -’smite the godless despotism hip and thigh.” If the great Roman Pontiff feels like taking part in temporal affairs he might take a whack at the •kingdom of Italy, which has done so much to interfere with tho papal prerogative in the Jmperial Citv. The New York Star thinks the numerous murders in the Western States growing out of love affairs and marital infelicities are .caused by the scarcity of women in those regions. On a similar theory it may perhaps be argued that the cold-blooded murders of •women reported from all parts of New England are due to the over supply of that commodity, and the effort of the community to equalize matters by getting rid of superfluous women.

A CURRENT paragraph, says: “American missionaries are very proud of the bravery and cleverness displayed by the Bulgarians who have come to tho front in the recent war, many of the young men having received their training in schools established by the misaions.” There seems, to a layman, something Inconsistent in this statement; but whether it be in tho pride of a missionary in warlike proclivities or the military training to be gained in mission schools, it is perhaps best to leave to ministerial brethren for decision. Wiiat has become of Monsignor Capol, of whoso savings and doings the papers were so full only a few months ago? He is casually referred to now and then in a way which eeems to indicate that he is still with us; but Lis importance has departed, so far a3 the American people aro concerned. Wo are worshipers of foreign notabilities; but, also, we are a fickle peoplo, and the imported gods, jmich as they may enjoy their popularity, can Lope to remain enthroned but a few brief weeks at most. It must be a harsh lesson to pome of them. It will be interesting, if not edifying, to note ihe way in which the free-trade advocates on this side of the Atlantic will treat the movement in favor of “fair trade,” otherwise known as the establishment of tariffs on various imports, now under way in England. The statement made by the trade commission, with Sir Stafford Northcote at its head, to the effect that they are convinced by investigation that the distress among tho English laboring glasses is due to the foreign competition made

possible by free trade, is a flat contradiction of the assertions of American free-trade theorists; but these gentlemen are not likely to be disturbed by such trifling flaws in the beauty of their arguments. They may be expected to urge that, if distress does exist in England among the laboring classes, the duty of relieving it by removing prohibitory tariffs devolves all the more seriously upon the law-makers of the United States. Such generosity at the expense of their own people would be of a piece with their former efforts in behalf of the foreign workmen.

THE BUSINESS SITUATION. The showing made by the Journal, yesterday, of the business of Indianapolis for the past year was an agreeable surprise to many. This is particularly true of the last six months, which showed a marked improvement over the first half of the year, and in many directions over the corresponding months of 1884. The general feeling is that the outlook is brighter now than it was a year ago. The people have gradually improved their condition, are less in debt and less inclined to ask credit. The conservatism of the past year or two is having natural effect, aud as a result, while prices have been lower and money a little harder to get, trade is healthier and business in all its branches is safer. The immediate future gives promise of improvement; prices are firmer, and on some important articles there has been an advance during the latter half of the year. The most encouraging feature is the fact that there is no appearance of feverishness in the increased firmness of trade. Indianapolis, and the country at large, has had enough of abnormal activity only to be followed by the inevitable relapse. No man engaged in legitimate business, or dependent upon his labor, wants a return of the days when fortunes were made in a day. It has been demonstrated that fortunes are not mado in a day, or a year, without a corresponding loss somewhere, either simultaneously or immediately following. Something cannot be withdrawn from a certain quantity without leaving a hole, or lowering the general level. The days of wild-cat speculation are happily past, and will not return until the many thousand victims forget the severe lesson they learned, or anew crop is brought forward.

While theve i3 no occasion for a hurrah, for there is no boom in that inflated sense, there is every reason why the croakers should cease, and give encouragement to the general good feeling. Recovered from the stress of hard times succeeding the collapse of the real estate boom, there is no reason why Indianapolis should not make steady advance. Situated in the artery of traffic, between the two great halves of the country—the East and the West—the capital of Indiana is in position to lay hold of a large share of the general business, and to easily take rank with the chief manufacturing cities of the Union. Indianapolis is now on rock bottom. It can be built upon in confidence. There are no fancy prices here. Asa rule, real estate is worth every dollar asked for it. There is a sure foundation for any commercial superstructure that may be wisely planned. The railway facilities of Indianapolis are unsurpassed. Asa distributing point it commands advantages that are the envy of less favored cities. There is absolutely no reason why a steady increase of business should not be experienced throughout the year now ushered in. Everybody should lend cheerful and hearty encouragement to Indianapolis trade and manufacture. The railways centering here will find it to their profit to afford every help and encouragement to the upbuilding of the city’s industries. The larger the population and the greater the product of Indianapolis mills and manufactories, the greater will be the revenue enjoyed by tbe railways from freight and passenger traffic. There is a community of interests here that should feel the healthful impulse of concerted effort. The city cannot be benefited without the immediate result of increased railway traffic. The railways are here and here to stay, and the city must ever be of importance to them. What is true of railways is doubly true of all who own property. They are interested in seeing the city grow and prosper. The augury made by those in position best to know about business affairs is that the new year favors industrial development and better business. Let no man by word or act retard the city’s advancement.

“In 1831,” observes the Philadelphia Record. “the Massachusetts spinner took care of twenty-five spindles and turned out 1,656 pounds of cloth; now he manages seventythree spindles, with an output of 3,794 pounds. His product has increased 129 per cent. Aud his wages? Oh, his wages; yes, they have increased 17 per cent.” Just such “argument” as this often causes widespread discontent among workingmen, such as do not see the sophistry of it. A certain man owns a team and wagon, and makes $4 a day hauling. Tho locomotive is invented, and the same man hauls a thousand times as much, while his wages are but $5 a day, an advauco of but 25 per cent. The Record’s argument is that his wages should be $4,000 a day—is that it? Shall the proportion be maintained? The trouble is that some may not caro to sift out the very obvious reason why this should not be so. The engineer who draws a thousandfold as much to market as does tho teamster does so at a much reduced rate. Tho man with the wagon may get two dollars a ton for a short trip. The railway company will, in quantities, haul it at the same rate to a dis-

tance of probably 500 miles, while an ocean steamship will carry a ton of grain across the Atlantic at a little above the bare cost of shoveling it in and out of the vessel. It is useless to reply to such vicious deductions and, fortunately, it is generally unnecessary. A Cincinnati grocer has been murdered for 50 cents. A reward of SSOO has been offered for the arrest of the prepetrator of the crime. A man who would commit murder for half a dollar might feel inclined to give himself up for SSOO. If you feel any unusual vigor of mind this week, don’t flatter yourself that your own active brain is alone responsible. Remember that the educators are with us, and the atmosphere is surcharged with intellect. A Cleveland coal dealer advertises that “a ton of coal is 2,000 pounds.” The impression has obtained that 1,600 pounds make a ton. The report that a Chicago millionaire had been buried in a barrel of rum is denied. We thought at the time it must be a Louisville man. May the sun go down on tho last day of ISB6 with anew depot in Indianapolis. DETROIT’S TURBULENT POLES. A General Uprising Feared—lleavy Pnrchases of Firearms by Poles and Bohemians.

Detroit Special. The attention of the polico was called to-day to the gunshops on Gratiot avenue and side streets in the Polish quarters. The shops were literally filled by Polish men and women buying firearms. Nothing could be done about it, as there was nothing unlawful in the mere purchase of revolvers. Inquiry at several gunshops revealed the fact that for several days past, or since tho Christmas-day riot, when a Pole was kiljed, tho gunshops have done a big trade with the Poles. One shopkeeper asked three men what they wanted the revolvers for. “We want them,” was the reply, and it was all they would say. Others said they were not going to be driven about by the police like cattle any more. When these facts wore reported the polico were instructed to use greater severity if another outbreak occurs. Three thousand Poles gathered about St. Albertus’s Church this morning, but were not allowed to stop in one body. The police broke up a group as soon as it numbered 300 or 400. A large number of men have kept going and coming from Father Kolasinski’s house during the day. and two or three times the priest has come out, got into his carriage behind his nobby fast horse, and driven off. It is plain that something is being planned, and the arming movement among the Poles is ominous. The disaffection lias spread among the Bohemians, and the parishioners of St. Joachin’s Church are getting restive. There is alleged cause for disaffection in both parishes. St. Wencislaus’s Church is on the corner of Leland and Antoine streets, and is the worshipiug-place of the Bohemians and many Russian Poles who were dissatisfied with St. Albertus’s Church before the deposition of Father Ivolasinski. The most intense ill feeling exists between Father Kolasinski and tho pastor of St. Wencislaus’s, Father Koemer, because the latter admitted to his congregation a number of St Albertus’s parishioners, and because ho refused to ask the bishop to reinstate Kolasinski. For twenty-four hours past several hundred Poles have surrounded Father Koemer’s house and have threatened him with bodily violence. As the police could not spare a detail to guard the house, the priest sent word to a few trusty friends, who responded promptly with their shotguns, and invited the menacing crowd to come on. Tho invitation was not accepted. The trouble in St. Joachin’s Church is that the bishop appointed an unpopular priest to succeed Father Laporto. Tho men have now seemingly united in a boycott of the new minister, and refuse to pay for the fire, rent or dues. They hope to thereby convince the bishop of his mistako. A general Catholic uprising is imminent

The Authorities Ready for Action. Detroit, Dec. 31.—The police are in readiness for trouble in tho Polish quarter at any hour. Whilo to-morrow is generally believed to be tho time when watchfulness will le most needed, the officers are on duty to-night, and have on hand a supply of stretchers and other things needed in the ovent of a serious disturbance. Militia will be called out if necessary, and tho companies in the citj r aro under orders to report at once on the ringing of the fire bells. To morrow being a holiday, makes the danger greater. It i3 thought that the knowledge that the militia are under orders for action, may prevent any outbreak. The bishop is out of the city, but Father Kolasinski is here, and the feeling of the church is as high as ever. —■ ■ —■■ ■ ■ Suicide by the Use of Chloroform. St. Louis, Dec. 31.—Miss Mary Reader, for the past few months has been living for some time with her alleged cousin, Charles W. Parish, a prominent boot and shoe dealer of the city, and a member of a well-known family. She presented herself at the Parish residence as a cousin of his, and apparently substantiated her claim by a letter from the pastor of Grace Baptist Church, of St. Louis. The relations between Miss Reader and her cousin have been of tbe most friendly and happy nature since her acquaintance with him. Last evening he went out to a party, and upon returning, at 2 o’clock this morning, found her in a dying condition. An investigation was immediately made, and it was found that she had swallowed an ounce of chloroform. A physician was at once summoned, but before he arrived she was dead. Immediately afterwards Parish went out, saying that he would return in a short time, but he has not since been seen or hoard cf. Miss Reader seemed in good spirits all day yesterday, and no cause has been assigned for her suicide. The other inhabitants of the house state that the relations between Parish and his alleged cousin were of a criminal character, and that they lived together as man and wife.

A Courtesan’s Fatal Leap. The polico visited rooms of questionable reputation on the third floor of No. 1861 West Washington street, about half past 12 o’clock this morning, and arrested several men and women. One of tbe latter, Mollie Fowler, asked to go into a roar room for a moment She was given permission. Closing the door hastily she ran to a window, raised the sash and jumped to the yard below. Her spinal column was injured, and Dr. Hodges, who attended her at the sta-tion-house, had her sent to the City Hospital. She will die. Lodge Officers Elected. At the meeting of Indianapolis Lodge, No. 1, Secret League, held last evening, the following officers were elected: M. H. Daniels, cardinal; Andrew Smith, vice-cardinal: W. C. Kregelo, petitioner; L. D. Sullivan, recorder; Floyd Fink, collector; I. L. Hunt, treasurer; Miss Alma White, marshal; Charles Miller, guard; H. M. Marston, watchman; representative to Supremo Lodge, I. L. Hunt; medical examiner, Robert Waid, M. I).; trustees, W. H. Vincent, Mrs. Nancy L. Furnas, W. A. Neidhamer. Conrt-Ilouse Statistics. In tho run of statistical information gathered about the court-house, yesterday, it was shown that Mayor McMaster, during his two years of service, tried and disposed of over 7,000 cases. He turned over to the city treasurer, within that time, fines and costs amounting to $10,201.64, and to the school fund 87,325.42, aggregating $17,527.06. In the county clerk’s office, 1,209 marriage licenses were issued, 1,496 Superior Court and 295 Circuit Court cases were filed. The coroner, during the year, has held about eighty inquests.

I AN APPEAL FOE JUSTICE. Henry Sterns Calls on the President to Right the Wrong Done Him. A Strong Case Made Oat by the Ex-Letter-Carrier, and the Record of His Accuser Laid Bare. Henry Sterns, the letter carrier recently discharged by Postmaster Jones, has appealed directly to President Cleveland to right the wrong done him by his discharge from tbe service, and it cannot be denied that the case made out by Mr. Stern3 is a strong one. Tho record of Frank Ash, the ex-convict on whose unsupport ed testimony he was so unceremoniously removed, is given in certified transcripts of the court records. The action of the chief executive will be awaited with interest. The statement of Sterns, which is made under oath, is as follows: To Grover Cleveland, Presidentof the United States: I earnestly ask your consideration of the following facts: State of Indiana, County of Marion. Henry Sterns, being sworn, says that, in 1880, he was appointed by W. R. Holloway, then postmaster, to the position of letter carrier in the postoffice of the city of Indianapolis; that ho continued in said position the balance of said Holloway’s term of office and during the four years’ term of his successor, James A. Wildman, and, also,under said Wildman’s successor, Aquilla Jones, until Dec. 6, 1885; that he at all times performed the duties of said position in a competent and honest manner, and, so far as he was informed, to the satisfaction of his superioi’s; that on the evening of Nov. 25 last, according to his custom, he rode home from the postoffice on a street-car; that two other men were in the car with him, the driver being upon his platform and the door thereto closed; that in the car the death of the Vice-president, which had just occurred, was talked of; that the conversation throughout was becoming and respectful; that neither of the other men was then known to this . affiant, and both, at different points, left the car before ho did; that, knowing this driver, from having been frequently a passenger on his car, just as this affiant was about to quit tho car, he opened tbe door to the driver and said to him: “Tom Hendricks is dead;” that to tbe driver's exclamation, “What*” this affiant repeated: “Hendricks is dead,” and immediately left the car; that this was all the conversation with said driver. That on Sunday, Doc. 6,1885, while this affiant was about his duties in tho postoffice, he wa3 summoned to the office of Mr. Joues, the postmaster: that in the room, during the conversation which followed, were the postmaster and his son, John Jones (not one of the two employed in the postoffice), Mr. Dodd, the assistant postmaster, and the aforesaid car driver, Frank Ash. That Mr. Jones at once said to this affiant, “this man (pointing to the streot-car-driver), says that you were very jovial over Mr. Hendricks’s death, and were talking and laughingon thocarall the way home that evening.” That thereupon this affiant, without qualification, denied the charge; that said car-driver then repeated his charge, and this affiant again denied it and at once offered to disprove the assertion if he could have time to hunt up one of the men who was in tho car with him, whom be informed the postmaster he would know if ho saw, being a large man, weighing 250 pounds. That Mr. Jones answered: “There is no use talking any more about it” That this affiant thereupon at once returned to his desk, and in less than a minute Mr. Dodd laid upon it the following communication:

“Indianapolis Postofkice, \ Dec. 6, 1885. > “Henry Sterns: “Your services as carrier are not required after this date. Aquilla Jones. Postmaster." That the assertions of the car-driver Ash were false; that this affiant did not speak or act, and bad no inclination to speak or act disrespectfully concerning Mr. Hendricks, and of tho truth of this he makes his solemn oath. That on Dec. 14, this affiant succeeded in finding out the two men who were in the car with him a3 aforesaid, one of them being Mr. John 11. Stewart, president of the Bank of Commerce, and the other Mr. A. W. Wisbard, an attorney at law, both of Indianapolis, and to substantiate his own statements this affiant offers their affidavits, which follow. And to support the statement of faithful service this affiant attaches also a certificate from the ex postmaster, James A. Wildman. Henry Sterns. Subscribed and svorn to before me this 28th day of December, 1885. \Ym. S. Hubbard, Notary Public. State of Indiana, Marion County, ss.: John H. Stewart and Albert W. Wisbard, being duly sworn, state that the said Stewart is tho president of the B ink of Commerce, in th 9 cit5 r of Indianapolis, and that said Wishard is an attorney-at-law in said city; that upon Wednesday, Nov. 25, 1885, the said Stewart was a passenger on the Pennsylvania-street car at a short time after 5 p. m., having taken the car at Washington street; that as the car passed Charles Meyer’s cigar store, about half a square north of Washington street, the affiant, Wishard, stepped on the car, and walked up to the fare-box, paid his faro, returned to the rear end of the car, where tho affiant, Stewart, sat. Affiant, Wishard, then stated to affiant, Stewart, that he had just heard in Meyer’s cigar store that Governor Hendricks (Vice-president Hendricks) had dropped dead, at which statement the affiant, Stewart, expressed great surprise, and expressed doubt at the report. Just at the time the fore going convei's-itiori took place between the affiants, Stewart and Wishard, Mr. Henry Sterns, a mail-carrier of said city, stepped into the car as it passed the postoffice, going north on Pennsylvania street. As said Sterns entered the car, affiant Wishard asked Sterns if the report of the death of Governor Hendricks had been received at the postoffice, to which said Sterns answered in the affirmative, sayiug that the report was true, after which said Sterns took a seat in the car, nearly opposite where affiants Stewart and Wishard sat. The affiants then engaged in a general conversation in regard to the death of Governor Hendricks, about Governor Hendricks having been in the bank of which affiant Stewart is president on the day previous to his death, and about Governors Hendricks and Morton being the leaders in their respective parties, etc., in which said Sterns took no part, further than to answer a question asked by affiant Wishard as to the time when the report of the death of Governor Hendricks first reached the postoffice. Affiant Wishard rode on the car to Pratt street, about nine squares from where he entered it, and affiant Stewart nearly seventeen squares, or near to Seventh street, ana affiants both state that during tho time they were passengers upou said car, said Sterns was also a passenger, except a part of the first square, affiants having got on the car before said Sterns. Affiants both slate that while they were passe igers on the car the conduct of said Sterns wi.s perfectly quiet and gentlemanly; that he did not express any satisfaction or gratification over the death of Governor Hendricks, and that any statement made by any one that said Sterns acted in a jovial manner over the death of Governor Ilendricks is untrue and maliciously false. John H. Stewart, Albert W. Wishard. Subscribed and sworn to, this 24th day of December, 1885, by Albert W. Wishard. Harmon J. Everett, Notary Public. Subscribed and sworn to by John H. Stewart, before me, this 24tb day of December, 1885. J. M. Ridenour, Notary Public. Indianapolis, Deo. 24, 1885. I hereby certify that Henry Sterns, who was a letter-carrier in tho Indianapolis postoffice during my term of office, performed his duties faithfully and efficiently. J. A. Wildman, Ex-Postmaster of Indianapolis. The foregoing affidavits set out tho truth of this matter. There was, however, as it appears, a short period when the driver and myself were the only persons on the car. As to that period, it is a question which of us is to be believed. Under such circumstances, it is proper to refer to the personal history of the man whose statement was believed rather than mine. I was left alone in the world at seven years of ago. I have workod for many different people, and have always had the confidence of my employers. 1 have always performed my duties as a citizen;

T^.c ' ” I ' > ''• v-JtV" *’v r V■ .? the law has never had to lay hold of me. On the other hand, I call your attention to the following record* relating to the car-driver, Ash: [Here follow certified transcript* of the records of the city court, grand jury report and Criminal Court docket, showing that Ash was convicted of grand larceny, Jan. 27, 1881, and sent to the House of Refuge at Plainfield, under the law’s provision requiring that persons under sixteen years of age shall be sent to that institution instead of the penitentiary. The certificates of the Plainfield authorities showing Ash to have been a prisoner there are also appended. ] I am in debt for a small house and have a family to support You will see from the foregoing papers that without opportunity for defense, without warning, in the middle of winter, when it is very difficult to get work, upon the unsupported statement of a man yet under age and who a’ready, upon a charge of grand larceny, has been confined fourteen months in a reform school, I am dismissed from a position to which I was entitled under the law for good service. Further, I am put before the community upon whom I must depend for work in the light of showing indecent behavior at a time when the public was deeply shocked. I, therefore, respectfully ask you to see that justice is done mo in this matter. „ Henry Sterns Indianapolis, Dec. 28, 1885.

THE DEAD BURGLAR Identified as Charles Thompson, Who Has Long Been Under Police Surveillance. The would-be robber and murderer killed by Luther Cline’s lucky chance shot at Broad Ripple night before last has been identified as Charles Thompson. Some of the police recognized the body when it was brought to Ripley & Hedges’s yesterday. Thompson has been here for a month or more, stopping, when with means, at the Powell House, on South Illinois street He said he came from Cincinnati, but had no business. His actions excited the suspicions of George Powell, son of the proprietor, who notified Officer Raftery. That official kept a close eye on Thompson whenever he came his way, and Captain Campbell and other officers, as well, paid no little attention to his movements. One evening Raftery stepped into the office of the Powell House to refresh his memory as to Thompson’s appearanco. The follow was there, but as the officer came in he went to a back room, and, getting a revolver ready, said, “That cop is on to me. If he comes this way I will kill him.” It is not known positively that Thompson has done any crooked work in the city, but the police were about ready to take him in on suspicion. They also know bis partner, who, they say, lives on South Tennessee street, but they decline to give the name until certain clews are well established. The coroner began his inquest yesterday, but the facts brought out were not materially different from those of published accounts. Yesterday a gentleman called on Superintendent Lang and said he thought from the description the newspapers gave of Thompson that he was the degenerate son of a highly respectable and wealthy family living in a country town of Ohio. This Thompson, however, did not meet the requirements of identity as to age, as the outcast was about forty-five years old, and Cline's victim does not appear to be more than thirty. When Thompson first came to the Powell House he had nothing but a valise. In this was only a suit of laborer’s clothing. It appears to have been his plan to stop in large cities and go from there out into country towns to do his robbing. Dr. Metcalf, through curiosity, went into Ripley & Hedges’s, last evening, and examining the clothing of the man Thompson, found on the coat and pants the trade-mark of Stuart, tailor. He went to that gentleman’s place of busir ess, and learned that on Thanksgiving day Thompson ordered a suit of clothes, which he got a week afterwards. “He paid S3B for the suit,' 1 said Mr. Stuart, “aud had a large roll of money with him. I had made clothes for him before. He said ho was a blacksmith in a small Indiana town.”

A LIGHT IN DARKNESS. How the Patients at the Insane Hospital Observe Christinas and New Years. The paticnt3 at the Indiana Hospital for the Insane were among the happy ones visited by Santa Claus. The New Year dinner will be a grand oyster and fish dinner, as a change from ordinary meat diet While a happy New Year is hoped for those unfortunates, a pleasant Christmas has gone on record for them. For weeks the attendants and patients were making wreaths of evergreen, preparing mottoes and framing bright and new pictures for the wards. Christmas eve, after the patients’ bell for bed had rung, thero was a great stocking-filling—fifteen hundred sdockings! These were filled with nuts, pop-corn and chubby apples, and in each a half pound of the best candy in a pretty box. The candy was not the glucose and the plaster of Paris kind, but toothsome semi-liquid sweets that melted in the mouth of themselves. It was curious to see the opening and hear the remarks on Christmas morning, as each discovered some new Christmas gifts. Each woman was presented with a nice collar pin and ear-rings, and the men each with three cigars from the superintendent’s private box, while all the patients had oranges in abundance. Breakfast was neglected to admiue the presents, but this onlv sharpened the appetite for dinner of soup, turkey, mince pie, sweet cider and other Christmas “trimmings.” Two hundred and fifty turkeys lost their heads on account of this dinner, and were served with three barrels of cranberries and the same amount of mince meat. A half score barrels of cider washed the dinner down. Such trifles as seven barrels of sweet potatoes and five bushels of onions are a daily occurrence at the hospital. Dr. Fletcher goes on the basis that nothing so contents a wild man as a full stomach, when it is filled to his liking, and nothing so encourages him to “fill up” as sympathy with his fellow-fillers and fellow-feelers. And so in the two great dining-rooms for men—3oo in each—the sympathetic appetite was created and satisfied to its fullest extent. Melancholy patients laughed and would-be-suicides were thankful theyTiad lived to see one more Christmas day. Games and various pastimes occupied all until evening, when each felt liko sleeping to dream of Christmas again. The attendants were not forgotten, and were highly complimented by the superintendent for their good work in banishing loathed melancholy and making a merry Christmas for all.

Guaranteeing: the City Against Logs. An idemnifying bond, approved by the mayor, in favor of the city was filed with the city clerk, yesterday, by Frank B. Walker, Egan & Treat and Isaac C. Walker, owners of the Brags and Siobert patents. They agree “to save the city harmless against any and all suits, costs, losses or damages of any kind whatever by any one who may attempt to or do establish any claim to or right in said inventions or patents, or either of them, or of any other invention or patont, by any other person on which any of said appliances now in use in said city, may be an infringement.” The bond further sets forth “if, at any time hereafter, it shall be established by suit or otherwise that the patents were, or are for any other reason, invalid or not new or novel at the time the patents were issued, or they had been in general use prior thereto,” the Messi-3. Walker and Egan & Treat will refund to the city the SB,COO with interest from the date it was paid them. This transaction applies to the elect rical apparatus for opening doors and releasing horses in the fire-engine houses. Robbed by Highwaymen, F. W. Stechhan, of Portland, Ore.,and of the theatrical profession, is visitiug his brother, at No. 23 Christian avenue. About 12 o’clock last night he went out for a walk, and down the avenue two men, one white and the other colored, knocked him down and robbed him of SBO and his railroad tickets.

RUMORS OF A GREAT FRA® A Falneless Certificate of Election S&fl to Ilayc Been Given Ripley, r The Pleasing Scheme Reported to Have inated in Fertile Democratic Brains, and j Wherein It Will Bea Failure. W. I. Ripley, the Democratic candidate tot alderman, who was unsuccessful in trying to secure the office by all fair and foul means thatj could feasibly be attempted, has made final' effort to get the place by sneaking into it Yesterday afternoon, at 2 o’clock, Attorney Beck procured from the county clerk a certified copy of the report of the commissioners in the contested election case, and an hour later M. F. Shields, the Democratic city clerk, whose official term begins to-day, might have been seen entering Mr. Beck's law office, accompanied by hia; deputy, Joseph T. Fanning. Soon afterward W. I. Ripley might have been seen joining the party. The purpose of this meeting was to do< unlawfully what could not at that time be done openly, under the sanction of the law—to give Mr. Ripley credentials to the seat in the Board of Aldermen to which Mr. Pritchard hold* the legal right. What passed at this meeting is known only by the report of the proceedings given out by by Mr. Ripley himself, who told a friend at 5 o’clock, shortly after he was Been going from Attorney Beck’s office, that ho “bad just been sworn in,” and further, that a certificate of election had been issued to him by the Democratic city clerk. He stated in the conversation with this friend that until a day or two ago there had been no hope of his getting into the office, but that the Democrats had just discovered a law under which he could get in, and that, in pursuance of this scheme, he “had just been sworn in.” A Journal reporter called on Alderman Pritchard last night to learn if ho was aware of the movement that had been made by the Democrats. “I anticipated from what I have heard from different sources some such movement as this,” said Mr. Pritchard, “and took all necessary precautions against it. If Mr. Ripley has a certificate of election it has been dated ahead, because Shields has no authority whatever to issue it at this time. He has filed his bond as clerk, but he has not taken possession of the office, and cannot lawfully do so until the Ist day of January, because the term of the present clerk does not expire until then. If he has issued a certificate of election to Ripley it does not bear the seal of the office, because that has been closely guarded by the present city clerk for several day*, and to-day, when not in actual use, has been locked in a safe. Shields would have no authority whatever to issue a certificate, and if he has issued any, it will certainly be held as of no forco by the courts.” “Is there any law, such as Ripley speaks of having recently discovered, under which he could get into the office?” “That’s simply talk—an excuse for the course that is being pursued. There is no such law. It has been stated that Shields, the Democratic clerk, would issue a certificate of election to Ripley and would call his name when the roll of the new members of the now board is called. Expecting something of this kind to be done, I asked Mr. Bynum a short, time ago if he, as a lawyer, thought that could be done legally. He said: “No, the only way Ripley can possibly get the office now is by quo warranto proceedings when the proper time comes.” I suppose Mr. Bynum has not been consulted regarding the course that is being pursued now. It is wholly without any support of law.” “Will you endeavor to prevent the consummation of their scheme by any legal proceedings?” “I shall institute injunction proceedings tomorrow morning at 9 o’clock, basing the application upon the information that I have received regarding the intentions of the Democrats to try to get possession of the office, by tho Democratic city clerk catling the name of Ripley as a member of the board. It may be that an attempt will be made to forestall an injunction by holding a meeting before I can get my application before the court That, however, would also be illegal. The law provides that the first meeting of the new board shall be hold on the first Friday after the Ist of January, which would be on the Bth of January. It makes no provision for any meeting before that date. If Shields has issued any certificate, it hasn’t got the seal of the city clerk on it yet, aud it has been* dated ahead. Doubtless the intention is to claim that it was issued after 12 o’clock to-night Mr. Ripley could not be sworn in, as he is reported to have claimed, because there is no one to swear him, unless the oath has been administered by Bock, who is a notary public. Shields cannot swear him in, even as city clerk, because he hasn’t the authority to do so.” At the time of the recount it was agreed and conceded, by both parties to the contest, and, in fact, so held by Judge Ayres, that the only point to be gained by the recount was to ‘ gather evidence upon whicli to base quo warranto proceedings by the contestor in case the contestee should assume the disputed office. The absence of the citv’s official seal from the “certificate” issued to ‘‘Alderman" Ripley renders it of absolutely no value. The object of the action of yesterday was, undoubtedly, to anticipate any action that might be taken by the Republicans to enjoin Shield* from issuing a certificate to Ripley after he had assumed the duties of clerk, and it is to be presumed that tho paper held by Ripley bears date of Jan. 1, 1886. BID WELL’S ELECTRICAL RAILWAY. ‘ A Movement on Foot to Test Its Practicability in This City. Charles F. Bidwell, the son of the patenteo of the Bidwell electric railway system; is in the city, endeavoring to interest local capitalist* ia a scheme for putting the system in operation in Indianapolis. Tho inventor was formerly a resident of this city, and much of his experimental work was done here. Practical tests of the merits of the system have beeu made in Philadelphia, Boston aud New York, where lines havfe been put in operation for tho purpose of demonstrating its possibilities. It is claimed by the inventors that with the same electric current they can run their street-cars and light and hedt them, as well as illuminate tho street* along the line. The electric curroAfc which furnishes the motive power is generates in much the same way as the electricity for thC present lighting system, but is operated througft a viaduct ten inches wide and twelve inches deepi between the rails of the street-car track. The viaduct is covered with a surface plate, having continuous slot through tho center three-fourth# of an inch in diameter. Through this slot eleotrical contact is made between the motor on the car and the conductors in the car. An am drops from the bottom of the car into tho slot Through this arm the insulated conductors pais to the motor on the car. The running of tha cars is in many ways similar to the cable system. It is claimed that the cars can be run for $2.50 a day less than tho cost of the mule poyper system, including the pay of the conductor If sufficient interest can be enlisted in tho matter tho patentees propose to put in operation a Una of a half mile or milo to demonstrate tho merits of the system, or if a atock company can ba formed for tho purpose they will build a line to CroWn Hill. A belld Alan Identified. Tho man found dead on the Bolt railroad track east of the city night before last has been identified as Ernest Barnes, an employe of Fled Brinkman, at BcigUtwooJ.