Jasper County Democrat, Volume 9, Number 4, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 April 1906 — VICTIM OF A MADMAN [ARTICLE]

VICTIM OF A MADMAN

Sudden Insanity Results in a Double Tragedy, Suicide and Probable Murder. HOMICIDE DROWNS HIMSELF Man He Shot Ha* Little Chance to Live—Judge After a Newspiper Man—ltems. CrnwfordsviHo, Ind., April 20.—Deputy Sheriff Isaac Wnldrit was shot and seriously wounded by Walter Phalen, grave digger at Oak Hill cemetery. Waldrit approached the Phalen home, bavin gben called to quiet him, under the impression that he was men tally affected, or to take hint into custody, if It was deemed uecessary. He was greeted cordially by Phalen, and the deputy sheriff had no thought of danger till Phalen stepped Into an adjoining room arid reappeared with a shotgun. Gave His Vietim No Chance. There was no opportunity for Waldrit to prevent the shot, and as he whirled he received the full charge in his back. The deputy sheriff staggered to his buggy, wliere be fell. He was assisted to the hospital, where ninety shots were taken out. He is still alive, but with slight chance of recovery. There is no doubt but that the shot was tired by Phalen in a moment of mental frenzy. A minute later he realized the consequences of his act, and he ran from the house, takiug the shotgun with him. William Burgess, a brother-in-law, with several men, attracted by the shot, started in pursuit but prudently kept at a distance. Proceeds to Shoot Himself. Twice they saw I’haleu stop and place the muzzle of ills shotguu iu his month, but he was unable to discharge the weapon. With a stick he finally accomplished his desire, aiming at bis heart, but the charge entered his right shoulder. The wound was not mortal, and Phalen threw aside his gun and started for the river, several hundred yards distant. Reaching the bank he jumped into the water without hesitation, and was drdwned in plain view of several fishermen, who were on the other side and powerless to interfere. Boats were procured and, after an hour spent in dragging, the body was recovered. Had Been Worrying Over a Title. Phalen was a man of good habits aud reputation, and he lived iu bis own home in the outskirts of the city, near the Oak Hill cemetery, of which he was assistant sexton. He had been worrying for some time over a supposed defective title to his home, but gave 110 evidence of mental derangement till a few hours before the tragedy. HIS ••CRITICISM” OF A JUDGE

Charge Made by a Newspaper That the Jurist Packed a Grand Jury. Indianapolis, April 20.—Judge Fremont Alford, of the criminal court, lias ordered Counly Prosecutor Charles P. Benedict to institute proceedings agaiust Fred 1,. Purdy, publisher of The Stm, for indirect or constructive contempt of court. Constructive or Indirect contempt of court is contempt committed outside of the court room. Purdy is charged with the publication of an article last Friday which charged Judge Alford with having packed tbe grand jury in order to obtain two indictments against Chief of Police Metzger for assault and battery and a third indictment charging illegal political activity. Judge Alford was accused of ignorance and with failure to uphold Chief Metzger's alleged attitude against the criminal classes, which was sakl to bo that of an officer in the discharge of his duty. Badly Hart by • Harrow. Frankfort, Ind.. April 26. James Lynch, a well-known farmer, while driving two horses attached to a spring-tooth harrow, with the lines, thrown over Ills shoulder, was thrown on the teeth as the harrow came apart in some unknown manner, and one tooth penetrated his skull as the horses ran away. His recovery is doubtful. He is . r io years old and a man of ilyLived To Be 100 Years Old. Indianapolis, April 26.—Mrs. Phoebe Redmond, who had lived in good health for more than 100 years, Is dead at the home of her son Thomas. 128 West McCarty street. Mrs. Redmond celebrated her 106th birthday anniversary Jan. 18, and was in good health up to last Sunday. At that time she was stricken with paralysis which caused her death. Women as Fire 1 .addle*. Menominee, Mich., April 26. During the fire which destroyed the big ice houses of the 800 railroad at Pembrlne, thirty or forty women turned out as a volunteer fire brigade and with buckets connected with the pumps in the village worked like beavers fighting the flames. Farmer's Home Destroyed. Brownstown, Ind., April 26. —The fine fnrm home of David Hugiies. near Medora, was destroyed by fire at midnight, resulting in a loss of $3,000, with $2,000 insurance. Tbe fire started Ip tbe washroom.