Jasper County Democrat, Volume 8, Number 21, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 August 1905 — INQUEST IS DRUGGING [ARTICLE]

INQUEST IS DRUGGING

Coroner Seems to Have Trouble Deciding as to the Killing of Cook. PBELIMINARY TRIAL PUT OFF Will Not Be Held Until September— Vincennes and Princeton Not on Good Terms—ltems. Rushville, Ind., Aug. 17.—The prolonged inquiry by the coroner, in which the prosecutor has taken such active interest, and the engagement of Representative Watson’s law firm to assist in the defense, indicate that a hard-fought legal battle is expected over the death of Norman Cook, whom Mrs. S. K. Bankert Is accused of murdering. As the coroner’s inquiry has not been public the full nature of the testimony before him is a mat <r of conjecture. Cook Speaks of Having a Date. If anything of a substantial nature lias been submitted to the coroner tending to overthrow Mrs. Bankert’s story that she encountered Cook unexpectedly in her home, that lie attacked her, and that she fatally wounded him by tiring shots in a close struggle in the dark, it has not been made known. Cook, it is said, spoke in Rushville Saturday afternoon of having an engagement to meet Mrs. Bankert, and displayed a photograph of her in a saloon. Says the Photograph Was Stolen. This photograph is in the hands of the coroner, together with a letter found upon Cook’s person, written byMrs. Bankert to Cook’s sister, at Connersville. In general this letter was in answer to one written by Cook's sister to Mrs. Bankert. It stated that Cook had quit Mrs. Bankert’s employ about March 1. This is the only letter of which Coroner Coleman has any knowledge. The photograph, Mrs. Bankert says, was stolen by Cook. Preliminary Hearing Postponed. The preliminary hearing of Mrs. Bankert was set to be held in ’Squire Jackson's court yesterday, but was postponed until September, to give both sides and the coroner more time; Mrs. Bankert’s attorneys now are Representative Watson and his law partners. Thomas M. Green and John A. Titsworth." assisting Samuel Innis and Wallace Morgan. John F. Joyce first employed by the Bankerts. is no longer in the case. Congressman Watson had a long interview with Mrs. Bankert. : WILL BE A MERRY WAR Arrest of a Man for Koi ling a Cigarette Starts Trouble Between Vincennes ard Princeton. Vincennes, Ind., Aug. 17. —The arrest and fining of .John Richter, 23 years old. at Princeton, on the charge of having cigarettes on his person, may- result in much business for the courts of both Princetonand Vincennes. Richter, witli a number of base hall fans, went to Princeton to attend a ball game, nnd after the game started to roll a cigarette. An officer saw him and placed him under arrest. Richter’s fine was $34.75, and not having the money to pay- it was placed in jail. Friends, however, came to his rescue, paid the money and secured his release. The victim of the arrest is very popular here, and local officers are now besieged with requests to arrest every Princeton man who expectorates on a Vincennes sidewalk or has cigarettes in his possession. As Princeton is to send a large delegation here to attend Labor day celebration, Richter's friends will insist that the police see that not a Princeton visitor violates a law of any description. Man Who Found His Conscience. Evansville. Ind., Aug. 1< The Evansville and Terre Haute Railroad company has received a check for 25 cents from a man at Carlisle. Ind. The man said that several years ago he bought a ticket for 45 cents and as the conductor did not take it up he sold It to a friend for 25 cents. Recently- the man became converted and bis conscience troubles him so much he decided to return the money. That Sunflower an Orchid? Shelbyville. Ind., Aug. 17.—Mrs. Frances Elliott has a curiosity in front of her home in West Washington street which attracts considerable attention. A large maple tree has a knot on it a few feet from the ground. Growing from this knot is a sunflower stalk three feet in length with a large sunflower on It. This Is a “Peach," Sure. Shelbyville, Ind., Aug. 17.—Charles W. Culbertson, of the First National bank, brought to the bank a peach that was raised on his place. It was the Champion variety, weighed ten ounces, was ten and one-quarter inches in circumference ami the meat was one and one-third inches thick. Circus Train in Collision. Brookville. Ind.. Aug. 17. —John Robinson's show train on the Big Four railroad collided with a freight train here. Both engine crews jumped to safety, but the engines were smashed. Most of the performers of the show were In their berths and were badly shaken up. Which Closed the Incident. Rochester, Ind., Aug. 17.—Richard Funnell, aged 25, of Macy, south of here, quarreled with his wife, who left him. He committed suicide by taking morphine.