Jasper County Democrat, Volume 9, Number 7, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 May 1906 — Page 1

Jasper County Democrat

SI.OO Per Year.

IS IT A FRAUD?

Rensselaer People Bought Canadian Lands, AND NOW SCHEME IS QUESTIONED. Alleged That Alberta Land Deals of Brookston nan Are a Swindle.— Whole Township Sold Here. For some time past a Canadian colonization scheme has been worked in different parts of Indiana by U. B. Kellogg, of Brookston, who alleged, we understand, that his company, the Northwestern Land and Immigration Co., of St. Paul, Minn., was representing the Canadian government in disposing of lauds in Alberta, Canada. The scheme—if such it is—was to dispose of full sections of a full township, and one township was sold to Rensselaer people, one or two at Lafayette, Tipton, Bloomington, Ft. Wayne and elsewhere. Each buyer was to put up 150 for “railroad fare,” which reserved to him one section of this “valuable agricultural land” and (here, at least) the purchasers were to go up to see the land about June 5. *They were each to \>&y $1,50 per day for the Pullman sleeper and their board, we understand, but there was to be no railroad fare, that coming out of the SSO advanced. After seeing the land —which is some 70 miles from a railroad, but “a railroad has been surveyed,” it is alleged —they were to pay $l5O more, if satisfied with their investment. If not satisfied nothing more was to be paid and the contract would be canceled. If they were satisfied they paid no more for five years, we believe, and no interest was to be charged. "After five years they had the option of paying the Canadian government $3.50 per acre for the land, cash, or let it run three years more at 5 per cent, interest. The scheme “looked good,” and and a “township” was sold here, Kellogg and Charlie Murray making the contracts, but all contracts are signed by Kellogg, it is stated, and the SSO advance payments were made to him. Now comes a report from Bloomington, Ind., in Wednesday’s Indianapolis News, stating that 35 of the parties there who had bought sections of land of Kellogg and held contracts and receipts for their SSO, came in Tuesday with their grips packed to make the trip to see the land. It was then found that no order had been received for transportation, nor were any Pullmans in waiting for them. The local real estate firm who had canvassed the with Kellogg stated that they had heard nothing from the latter for a week, and had been unable to locate him. The article stated that the poople there now looked upon the whole matter as a swindle, and a warm bunch of “landowners” returned to their homes after denouncing The*f)emocrat is informed by a St. Paul gentleman and by local people who have tried to find out something of the company Kellogg represents that they could not be located in St. Paul, and so far as known had no office there. Thursday’s Indianapolis Star contained an alleged interview with Kellogg’s wife at Brookston, stating that her husband had left St. Paul Tuesday for Winnipeg where the real headquarters of the company is said to be, and that he would return home in a few days; that the trouble at Bloomington arose over these parties wanting to go to Alberta on May 15, instead of June 5, and that her husband had been unable to secure transportation for the earlier date, and had so notified the local agents in Bloomington; that everything would be alright and no one would lose a dollar. Some 36 sections, or oue township, of this land was sold here, the purchasers so tar as we have been able to learn being: J. H. 8. Ellis, Ray Wood, Dr. Miller, Katie Shields, Peter May, Abe Hardy, J. Brenner, Lou Harmon, Bert Goff, Geo. Strickfaden, 4. E. Spitler, Al Peters and family (three sections). Charley Murray, who worked

with Kellogg here, left for Oklahoma Tuesday, therefore no explanation has been had from him. * WELCOME RAIN YESTERDAY. CrA- nice rain came yesterday morning and is not over as we go to press, relieving the drouth of several weeks which had made conditions quite serious. Oats and grass have been affected greatly for want of rain and here in town the grass on ’the lawns was curling up and turning brown, while the ground in many places was cracked open, like we frequently see it in August and September.AXfiflterday’s rain was of great valuAto growing crops of all kinds, and gardens and berries. The drouth was quite general throughout this section of the country, it appears.

McCOY GASES STILL GRINDING.

State Will Take Up Another Week In Introducing Evidence.—Proceedings Continue Rather Dry. The McCoy trial has been dragging along all week since Monday at Monticello. From fifteen to thirty witnesses are called over from here every day, but the evidence drawn from them is practically all known to our readers. About all that is asked of them is the amounts they had on deposit, what per cent of same has been paid them in the dividends declared (30 per cent), and if the McCoys owed them —in the case of tradesmen here—open accounts, and if so if they have been paid. An occasional tilt between the attorneys and a frequent warm reply from some witness who resents the methods of the cross-ex-amination is about all that occurs to relieve the monotony The jurors are allowed to separate and go home at night, after being admonished about talking about or reading newspaper accounts of the proceedings. This has occasioned considerable adverse criticism.

Probably upwards of 300 witnesses have been examined thus far by the State, and no doubt the greater part of next week will be taken up with the prosecution’s testimony. At this time it looks like the case would last two weeks yet at least. The argument of the attorneys will no doubt take up two or three days. Witnesses of course, will receive no pay, but the court costs, or the daily expense of running the court, will come out of the pockets of the taxpayers of Jasper county, who have already contributed in the way of special counsel, grand juries, etc., $1,200 to $1,500. ’ Justice, as she’s run these days, is a peculiar dame, surely.

THERE ARE FEW REGRETS

Madame Brown, or Donahue, as she is now, took her husband, W. B. Donahue, and departed for North Dakota Wednesday. It is understood that she has sold the contract for her property here—she had no deed to same —to Rensselaer parties and has left town for good. Their departure was no doubt somewhat accelerated by the fact that evidence was in possession of parties here that the husband, W. B. Donahue, had sworn falsely in the recent trial of the Madame here, regarding the date of his first wife’s death in Dakota last summer. Both Donahue and his present wife testified that they became engaged to be married last July, and crfi cross-examination the former testified that his first wife had died at Lisbon, No. Dak., last June. As a matter of fact, however, proof has since been received to show that she died on August Ist last, and when Donahue swore that she died in June he deliberately committed perjury, the penalty for which is imprisonment of not less than two nor more than twenty years, with a fine of SSO to SI,OOO. Had not both previously testified that they became engaged to marry in July, it is probable Donahue would have told the truth regarding his first wife’s death, but it would not have look* ed well perhaps to the jury to have let them know that he became engaged to this woman a month before his first wife had died. • Now that he has left here it is not likely that anything will be done in the matter, but should be again set foot in Rensselaer he is sore to be arrested for perjury,

Rensselaer, Jasper County, Indiana, Saturday, May 19, 1906.

THE COURT HOUSE

Items Picked Up About the County Capitol. The oounty officers have little to do nowadays but draw their salaries —it’s mighty dull about the court house. —o— The drought has even affected the matrimonial market, and only ope license has been issued thus far during the month. —o — That $416 gas-pipe flag pole c n'fche court, house was given a coat of black paint Tuesday afternoon, Landy Magee being the steeple-jack who preformed the operation. He received $35 for the three or four hour’s work. —o — Jasper Guy sent over a certified check the first of the week to pay the SBOO fine assessed against him in the Kenyon shooting case, mention of which was made last week, and was 6ver yesterday and settled the costs, which were about SIOO more. —0 Demotte Creamery Association, of Demotte, this county, was incorporated a few days ago. Ttie capital stock is $4,150, and the directors are John Ruissard, L. H. Kenyon, F. M. Hart, JohnSchatzley. Henry Bossma, John Van Beck, Jacob Groet.

Bert Vandercar, the popular Kankakee township assessor, was down Tuesday filing his report. Bert has settled down to the granger life good and steady now and informs us that he has out 30 acres of corn and about half that number of acres of oats. In order to keep Mrs. Vandercar’s temper sweet he has planted one acre of sorghum also. —o — If the McCoys are sentenced to the penitentiary for a term of from one to three years and they should then take an appeal to the supreme court, they must go to the penitentiary pending the appeal. therefore if found guilty by the jury they will have to spend some time in the penitentiary even though the case should be reversed or sent back for a new trial on technicalities. —o —

The will of the late John S. Moorhead of Remington was filed for probate yesterday. The instrument was' executed March 16, 1905, and the widow, Kate Moorhead, is bequeathed lots 7 and 8 in Shaffer’b add to Remington in fee Dimple, together with all improvements, household goods, SSOO cash and of all remaining property. Remainder of property goes to his children. The widow and Dr. E. Besser are named as executors.

S. H. Hopkins and J Pattee of Barkley tp., were arrested for intoxication by Marshal Parks last Friday evening. Pattee was turned loose after being in jail awhile and promising to go home and “be good.” “Farmer” was also released under SIOO bonds and his trial set for last Monday before Squire Irwin. Monday, however, he took a change of venue and the case was sent to Squire Fay of Parr, where it is set for hearing next Monday next at 9 a. m. —o — T. J. McCoy and one of his attorneys, Mr, Haywood, was here Sunday and drove out to the Jordan tp., lands, formerly owned by the McCoys, to look them over and possibly to see if they could find any witnesses to support their contention that these lands were worth SIOO or more per acre. A. McCoy and wife spent the brief vacation of court at the Hotel Forbiß in Monticello, where both the McCoys and their attorneys are stopping during the trial.

BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENTS. May 11, to Mr. and Mrs. Frank King, a daughter, May 15, to Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Turner, in town, a son. May 11, to Mr. and Mrs. Farnum of Oklahoma City, Okla., a son. Mrs. F. is a daughter of our former townsman, J. F. Warren, and will be remembered here as Miss Bernice Warren.

ALL NEXT WEEK.

The Alpine Stock Co., will play its Annual engagement in Rensselaer next week, begining Monday Dight. This year they will produce some of the best plays ever seen in repertoire. They will open with“OntheSuwanee River” a play which tells a very pretty story of Old Virginia. The comedy elements are equally as strong as the pathetic scenes, and it has never failed to please everyone both old and young. The great bridge scene never fails to draw from the audience great appreciation, as the scene in connection is one of the strongest ever written. Tuesday night “A Double Life” will be produced. It is a mystirious play which deals with the power of hypnotism in the hands of a criminal. There is also alove story told in a very pretty manner. Wednesday night “The Gambler” is on the boards. It is a western drama of heart interest. Thursday night the company will give way to the school commencement, and Friday and Saturday’s bills will be announced later. Prices 10, 20, 30c, and the management offers the same inducement —a lady free Monday night if accompanied by a person holding a paid' 30 cent ticket. Nice and refined specialties every night between acts.

LYMAN IS STILL NIGHTWATCH,

Mayor Casts Deciding Vote for His Old Favorite. At the meeting of the city council Monday evening the new members took their seats and all members were present except Councilman McColly, who has been up in Michigan for the past two weeks visiting and taking a rest for the benefit of his health, and is now visiting in Illinois. The principal event of the meeting was the election of a nightwatch for the ensuing year, The names of Lyman Zea, John Hordeman, Frank Critser, Alva Simpson, Christie Vick, Horatio Ropp, Wm. Rayher, Charlie Platt, Harry Wiltshire and William Childers were before the council, and the first ballot resulted in Zea, Hordeman, Critser and Simpson eadi receiving one vote. On the second ballot Zea received two votes and Hordeman two. The mayor, who evidently feared a democrat might get in— Hordeman is a democrat—hur-J riedly cast the deciding vote fdW

Zea. This is an endorsement of Lyman’s record for the past year, and of course he is well pleased with the same. C. B. Steward was appointed fire warden for another year. Land owners on north side of Grace street quit-claimed a five foot strip of land to city to widen street, which was accepted. Fire warden again asked that garbage boxes be placed at various points in the business district, which request was referred to the street committee. Order for $311.64 for the new hose wagon and sl3 for delivery of same was ordered drawn in favor of the maker, Peter Anderson of Lafayette. Light superintendent ordered to purchase covering for steam pipe at light plant. The mayor appointed the following committees: Claims, Ordinances, Contracts and Education —Spitler, Hildebrand and McColly. Streets, Alleys, Sidewalks, etc — Irwin, Gerber and McColly. Waterworks, Lights, Parks and City Property—McColly, Hildebrand and Spitler. Sewers, Drainage, Fire Department, Fire Limits—Gerber, Irwin. Spitler. A number of claims were allowed, of which $225.35 was on account of repairs to city hall and expense of installing new fire apparatus.

BACCALAUREATE SERVICE.

The following is the order of the union baccalaureate service at' Trinity M. E. Church Sunday, May 20th at 7:30 p. m. Voluntary ."THrs. Delos Thompson Gloria Vearie High School Chorus. Prayer Rev. G. H. Clark “Thanks be to God”. Mendelssohn High School Chorus. Scripture Reading... .J. C. Porter Sermon Rev. H. L. Kindig “Hark the Sound of Evening Bells” Mendelssohn. High School Chorus Benediction.

LOCAL AND PERSONAL. Brief Items of Interest to City and Country Readers. Corn, 43c; oats 30c. Mrs. C. C. Warner ia visiting relatives in Chicago. Mrs. Peter Giver of Wabash iB visiting relatives here. ./Merle Benjamin returned to Wichita, Kan., this week. sLVern Shook has moved back to Rensselaer, from Roselawn. \Mjss Dell Yeoman of Remingtc*i visited in Rensselaer Thursday. Mr. and Mrs, George Hopkins of Wabash spent a few days here the first of the week. ■--..Dr. J. W. Horton left Tuesday fJrColgate, Ind. Ter., for a couple of weeks’ absence. Dr. Robinson attended the state meeting of osteopaths at Lafayette yesterday. Mr. H. P. Baker Onargo, 111., is visiting his brother-iu-law, Mr. L. Strong, here this week. k Mark Ott, foremanof the Spring--rtfranch near Kniman, was in the city on business Wednesday. \jdrs. Walter Porter of Jordan is taking treatment for rheumatism at the springs near Attica. VMrs. N. Krull and son of Kent--fahd are visiting here with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Ramp.

Mrs. Geo. Stoudt and son Robert of Remington, were guests of Mrs. F. E. Babcock Wednesday and Thursday. Misses Edith and Mary Miller have gone to Winona Lake where they will conduct a boarding house during the season. Cyril Steel of Barkley tp., was quite sick a few days the first of the week with appendicitis, but is better at this writing. Mesdames C. B. Steward, R. B. HarrisTfnd Miss Blanche Hoyes attended the Rebekah grand lodge meeting in Indianapolis this week. Squire VV. E. Moore returned last week from a two weeks stay at the mineral springs near Attica. He thinks the treatment did not benefit him. ''"“Charles Wiltshire went to Indianapolis last week and enlisted in the regular army and has temporarily been sent to the Columbus. Ohio, barracks. New subscribers to The Democrat this week by postoffices: Morocco, 1; Rensselaer, 2; McCoysburg, 1; Parr, 1; Dunningville, Mich., 1.

-ijGeo. A. Williams has sold to Mrs. Eleanor Ham the former J. R. Vauatta residence property on Cullen street, which he purchased some time ago. _|j)r. S. C. Robinson has decided to locate in Rensselaer and has opened an office in rooms over Warner’s hardware- See card elsewhere. Obituary of Miles Moffitt was received too late to put in type for this issue, and same, together with some other matter that was crowded out this week, will appear in our next issue. The funeral of Miss Ada Vedder, whose death was mentioned last week, was held Sunday afternoon from the residence of C. J. Dean, and interment made in Weston cemetery. George Liston, for some time a clerk in the grocery department of the Chicago Bargain Store, will move to Olney, 111., next week whore he has purchased a grocery store George’s many friends here wish him success in his new venture. \ R. D. Thompson has traded his new residence on South Cullen Btreet to C. G. Spitler for farm lands and expects to build another residence on the site of J;he old Thomas Thompson residence on McCoy avenne. Mr. Spitler will occupy the property traded for.

The little son of James E. Britt of Barkley tp., was operated on here Monday for tubercular periotonitis and a large abcess in the abdomen opened and over a gallon of fluid removed. If the infection does not extend to the lungs it is thought he will recover.

Vol. IX. No. 7

Don’t forget the Murray Co.’s new grocery. Everything clean and new. \ Thomas Driver of Barkley tp., went to Chicago yesterday to visit his children and to attend Holiness meetings. Winamac Journal: The notorious robbers and outlaws, the “McCoy gang,” of Rensselaer, have at last been brought to bay, and are now facing trial for their crimes in court at Monticello. We understand that a change will soon be made in the management of the Nowels hotel, Mrs. Dobbins retiring. We have been unable to learn whether the hotel has been rented to other parties or not. JL-Jl?y Stockton celebrated his 3Qth birthday anniversary Tuesday, and a big dinner was spread at his home west of town in honor of the event, to which a large number of relatives and friends did ample justice. Dr. Rose M. Remmek, optical specialist, will make her next regular visit to Clarke’s jewelry store, May 22-26. The eye is a delecate organ. Correcting its defects should be done by one having full knowledge of its anatomy and diseases, a thorough college and clinical training and extended practical experience. No charge made for examination.

The Monon is putting on the “tariff’’ a little this year, and its first Chicago excursion for tomorrow the fare for the round trip from Rensselaer is $1.25. This is 25 cents more than the rate for last year and a year or two previous, and 50 cents more than the old rate of 75 cents which prevailed for a number of yeare. The train will run on about the same schedule as heretofore, passing Rensselaer about 8:48 a. m. Uncle John Sullivan was fined and costed to the amount of $9.85 in Squire Irwin's court Wednesday on a plea of guilty of provoke, charged by Charlie Platt. It is said that after paying his fine Mr. Sullivan met Charlie on the street and “said” a whole lot more to him, but at this writing no second charge has been filed. John Barleycorn is said to have been responsible for the trouble. Both the parties are charter members of the Theological Research club which holds continuous session at Healy’s shop. C. F. Arnold, formerly of Barkley tp , who has been in Florida tor the past year or more, writes us to change the address of - his Democrat to Omaja, Cuba, where, he writes, he has purchased a 240 acre farm i mile from Omaja, which is a new town, and expects to make his future home. He will begin to improve his farm at once. Chris says he has been on the island only a short time but has seen a large portion of it and finds the soil and climate good enough to satisfy the most skeptical. While the country is old, it is new in the way of cultivation and improvement, he says, and there are many Indiana people there.

Announcement. I have decided to open an office in Rensselaer for the practice of osteopathy ; office over Warner’s hardware store. No charge for consultation or examination. Bell ’phone in office and residence. S. C. Robinson, D. O. JASPER COUNTY ENUMERATION. The following is the school enumeration for 1906 as just reported by the enumerators. The net loss is 103. Total M F Total 3 o 1805 1906 _ 1906 906 J -3 Barkley 419 214 176 393 26 Carpenter. 342 163 174 337 5 Gillum. 206 111 105 216 10 Hang. Grove. 131 78 61 139 8 Jordan . . 222 116 116 232 10 Kankakee _ 153 89 62 151 2 Keener 245 124 101 225 20 Marlon 428 269 146 415 13 Milroy 118 53 49 102 16 Newton 166 79 76 155 11 Union. •- 492 281 230 511 19 Walker 293 121 127 248 45 WheatUeld 157 88 76 161 7 Total* 3372 1786 1502 3288 54 158 Remington 284 144 152 296 12 Wheatfleld 11l 47 50 97 14 Rensselaer 675 317 341 658 17 Totals 4442 2294 2045 4339 66 160 Total loss ...103 Louis H. Hamilton, Co. Supt. An armload of old papers for a nickel at The Democrat offioe.