Jasper County Democrat, Volume 7, Number 42, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 January 1905 — TRAGEDY OF REVENGE [ARTICLE]

TRAGEDY OF REVENGE

"Short*’ Official of a Society Murder* His Prosecutor and Than Himself. LEAVES THREE LETTERS BEHIND They Explain His Terrible Crime— Temperance Legislation Probable—Legislative Notes. Veedersburg, Ind., Jan. 17. John Brant, of the Veedersburg News, and Charles Eckburg, a barber, were found dead In a barber shop where they gone to balance the books of the Odd Fellows’ lodge, in which both held official positions. At a late hour they had not appeared and citlcens b«gan an Investigation which resulted In finding Brant In a barber’s chair, shot through the head, andjflbkburg lying on another chair, shot through the temple. A revolver was found In a cuspadore near Eckburg’s body. Letters Explain the Tragedy. On Eckburg’s body were found three letters. One was addressed to the public, and was dated an. 1. In it Eckburg declared his intention of killing himself because of his financial troubles. He admitted that he was short in his accounts, and tnat he could not adjust the shortage. The second letter was written to Harry Wertz, the dead man’s best friend. In It he said he had determined to take his life and that he Would “take Brant with me.’’ To Wertz he admitted his troubles, and asked Wertz to settle up his affairs and do the best he could for his family. This letter was dated Sunday. The third letter was addressed to his wife and was not made public. Brut Had Persistently Probed. The coroner’s verdict charges that Bckburg shot and killed Brant and later killed himself. Eckburg was financial secretary of the local Odd Fellows' lodge for several years. About Jan. 1 an auditing committee composed of Brant, John Labaw and Charles Pugh, was appointed to audit the books, and in this Brant took the initiative. He has'slncc been persistent In trying to discover the alleged Irregularities.

TEMPERENCE LEGISLATION Drastic Amendment Will Be Added te the Nicholson Law Petitions Are Circulating. Indianapolis, Jan. 17. —It seems more than probable that the Indiana legislature, despite opposition, wil be forced to enact drastic temperance legislation In the shape of an amendment to the Nicholson law. During the last campaign the saloons and brewery Interests made a hard fight against the law, aiming specially at the blanket remonstrance” feature. They held that it was local option in disguise* and contrary to the constitution of the state. The suggestion caused the temperance people to look Into the matter more closely, and now they have come 1 forward with a bill to make this cause more effective than ever. Formerly if an application for a saloon license was opposed by a majority of the people living in the district it was the plan to put forward a second person as the principal and have the license Issued in his name. The temperance people want the law changed so that a remonstrance shall be construed to operate against all applicants and to hold good for two years. Thousands of petitions are being circulated and success seems sure. Lrglalatlve Summary. Indianapolis, Jan. 17. The principal doings in the legislature were: Senate—lmpassioned discussion of the lobby: Slack Introduces resolution for election of United States senators by popular vote; Ganlnrd introduces private banking bill; Barcus introduces a bill against spite fences. House—Orders the eo-diflcatlon bills indexed: Bell railway commission bill introduced by Beckman; John Mitchell Invited to address the house; trading stamp bill Introduced. Died of Mysterloas Injuries. Indianapolis. Jan. 17. The death of W. H. Rankin at the central hospital for the Insane shortly after having been transferred from the Fletcher sanatorium was taken up by the grand Jury. Coroner Tuttwiler completed his Investigation and reported that In his opinion the grand Jury ought to look into the matter. It was ascertained that death was caused by injuries he had received in some mysterious manner. Savon Notable Death* In Three Day*. Jeffersonville, Ind., Jan. 17. The seventh death of well-known people in this city in three days occurred v. hen Mrs. Wilhelmina Zulauf, widow of the late John Zulauf, passed away; the result of injuries received in un accidental fall some weeks ago. She was the mother of John C. Zulauff, president of the Citizens' National bank. Hove ridge and Hemao way Arrive. Indianapolis, Jan. 17. —Senator Beveridge and Representative Hemenway. who are to be elected United States senators today, arrivexd from Washington at 6:45 this morning. They will address the Joint meeting of the bonse and senate at noon tomorrow in acceptance of their election. Cutting Hor Third Sot of Teeth. Dillsboro, Ind., Jan. 17. —Margaret A. Baugh. 78 years old, of St Leon, is cutting her third set of teeth. The last of the second set were extracted five years ago. Four of the third set are already plainly visible.