Jasper County Democrat, Volume 8, Number 11, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 June 1905 — ANALYSIS OF WELKEER [ARTICLE]

ANALYSIS OF WELKEER

Partner of the Man Who Killed His Fiance Explains His Char* acter. DOES THE SLAYEB NO CREDIT Shows Him Up in Mighty Bad Light Generally—Man Who Wu Too Suspicions—ltems. Port Wayne, Ind., June 23. A. L. Johns, wholesale harness manufacturer and Jobber, of this city, who was a partner In the retail business with John Welker, the murderer of Minnie Melching, has addressed an open letter to the public, treating of Welker and the causes of his downfall. The letter has caused a marked sensation in the city. He speaks of Welker as one of the best apprentices ever entering the writer’s store, learning the trade thoroughly and winning bis employer's confidence to such an extent that when Welker wanted to enter business for himself, he (Johns) willingly took a half interest in the retail store, and turned over all the retail business to him. Gives lI Im a Bad Character. Although Welker had been welltrained, and showed honesty, capacity and industry, soon after entering business for himself he developed a weakness, and he was induced to drink by designing friends, who were enemies of the writer, an he gradually drew out more than half of the business. “Even then,” says Johns, “his good qualities aided In his undoing. He did things knowing them to be wrong, and hated himself for doing them. He was like putty.” Johns is of opinion that after Welker found himself ruined in his business career his weak nature, under the influence of wounded pride, saw nothing but suicide ahead, and his selfish love Influenced him to kill Miss Melchlng rather than that she should live and some time marry another man. Does Mot Wont Him flanged. Despite his awful crime, Johns pleads that he should not be hanged, and he expresses amazement that his attorneys did not permit him to enter a plea of guilty and throw himself on the mercy of the court, thus relieving his old mother and the mother of Miss Melchlng from the strain of having to testify In court. The course pursued, says Johns, is more likely to send the young man to the gallows, as a jury. In his opinion, will have but little sympathy with one capable of so foul a crime.

SHOULD NOT BE TOO BRASH Farmer Who TFm That Way I* Now IteIng Sued for SI,OOO. Boa I del Making an Apology. Newcastle, Ind.. June 23.—William Modlin, a well-known lodge man and Democrat, has tiled suit in the circuit court against Mablon Lennard, a farmer living cast of the city, asking sl,000 damages. Some weeks ago Modlin was designated by his lodge to ole tain a quantity of myrtle. One day, in passing a cemetery, east of the city, near where Lennard lives, Modlin noticed a profusion of myrtle and gathered a quantity. Lennard at the time had a turkey hen sitting in the cemetery and as she later disappeared and he had seen Modlin coming from the cemetery wlrh something In his arms, he jumped to the conclusion that Modlin had taken his turkey hen. He immediately came to town and obtained a search warrant, with the resnlt that officers searched Modi In’s premises thoroughly, but did not ilnd the turkey. Later the turkey turned up with the rest of the fowls in the barn yard. Lennard apologized for his action, but the apology did not satisfy Modlin, who has slu'd as above stated.

Honan to S, P. Bheorln. Indianapolis, June 23. —The business offices of the Indianapolis Telephone company and of the New Long-Dis-tance Telephone company were closed until 1 p. m. during the funeral of Simon P. Sheerin. As a further token of respect to the memory of President Sheerin no connection, either local or long distauce, was established from 9 until 9:08 o’clock a. m. Among the telegrams of condolence received Is a message from ex-Presldent Grover Cleveland, couched In the warmest terms of friendship. Was a Miniature Railway Wreck. Fort Wayne. Ind., June 23. The miniature railway train at Robinson park left the rails at a curve, overturning and rolling down a hill. Five waiter girls from the New Aveilne hotel were passengers and all were injured. Stella Hughes suffered from broken ribs and was hurt internally. Mollie Wlesard’s shoulder was broken. Runaway U Doubly Fatal. Danville, Ind., June 23.—The laxly of John W. Vickery’, a w’ell-known farmer, was found lying In the road a mile from Reno, where a hinaway horse had carried him after kicking Mrs. Vickery, and leaving her fatally Injured In the main street of Reno, where the horse first took fright. Hoavy Fall o t Rata. Bicknell, Ind., June 23.—The heavb est rain fall here in six years fell between 3 and 4 o’clock Tuesday afternoon. It la. estimated that four Inches of water f#H.