Jasper County Democrat, Volume 9, Number 11, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 June 1906 — AUTO WAS A NEMESIS [ARTICLE]

AUTO WAS A NEMESIS

Takes to a Man Too Free with a Pistol the Crip of the Law. COSTS HIM A MATTEB OF $27 WillKhow Better Next Time, Perhaps —Brooklyn Repudiates Criminal Reform Methods. Lafayette, Ind., June 15. Dame Justice traveled in an automobile from Lafayette to Brookston, penetrating White county and exacting tribute from a law violator. Wm. P. Heath, a wealthy farmer, guided the machine, and beside him sat Prosecuting Attorney Daniel P. Flanagan, Sergeant John Kluth, of the Lafayette poMce force, and a friend of Heath. Several days previously Heath was heid up while driving his car above Ash Grove, near the White county line, a man with a revolver threatening to kill him because the car frightened ahorse. Got Out His Artillery. Heath stopped the car before it reached the horse and buggy containing four men and drew up along the roadside. The men were partly intoxicated and began to curse the auto owner. One of them leaped out of the vehicle, and as Heath started the machine he drew a pistol, and, shoving it in the surprised autoist’s face, toldi him his last moment had come. Heath is an athlete, and instead of becoming frightened he lunged toward the man. The pistol dropped and the men jumped into the buggy. Concluded to Teach a Lesson. The four then drove away, and Heath for a time overlooked the incident. He started in an opposite direction, and was several miles away from the four men and the buggy when it occurred to him that he had had a narrow escape. He turned about and pursued the buggy until he overtook it He saw the men go to Brookston, and, obtaining a description, he began detective work. In a day or two he had ascertained the name of the man that drew the revolver on him. “Don’t Shoot, .TH Come Down." He filed two affidavits, one charging carrying concealed weapons and the other pointing a firearm. Elmer Thayer, a Brookston painter, was the man named in both affidavits. The police had no way of getting Thayer from Brookston, so Heath placed the automobile at their disposal. The prosecutor and polite sergetint accepted the offer and he drove them to Brookston. They found Thayer painting a house, and when he was shown the affidavits and warrant for his arrest he decided that it would be cheaper to pay his fine without coming to I-a-fayette, so he entered a plea of guilty, paid over $27 and returned to his painting. The auto had avenged its driver.

RESENTMENT IS CREDITABLE

Citizens Repudiate the Idea That the Dynamiting of Thornberry's Store Was a "Reform" Act.

Martinsville. Ind., June 15. Citizens of Brooklyn resent the Insinuation that Daniel Thornberry’s store was blown up Saturday night by the better element in order to get rid of a "blind tiger." They wish the illicit sale of whisky stopped. but they are law-abiding and believe in doing things decently and in order. The theory is advanced that the work was done by an irresponsitde class—persons who hold enmity against Thorntierry because of his refusal to credit them for goods. In support of this theory it is said that his stare had been entered at night at various times recently and beer stolen. Also tiiat dynamite Itelonging to the Brooklyn drain factory used in dynamiting shale for use in the factory-had been stolen before the deetrnctloa of Thornberry’s building.

Brutal Thug Kills a Woman. Peru, Ind., June 15.—Mrs. Elizabeth Tresch, of this city, an aged woman, was choked to death by a burglar who entered her home and was caught by her in the act of committing thefts. The woman was found lying on the floor in a dying condition. She regained consciousness for a minute, told of the encounter and then became unconscious again, dying a few moments later. Site was unable to give a description of her assailant Lunatic’s Attempt at Suicide. Milan. Ind., June 15. James Churchill, making his home with a brother at Sparta, and . unsound of mind, with an ax deliberately cut his foot in two at the Instep in an attempt at suicide. He soon became unconscious from loss of blood, but may live. Coal Car Kills a Mule. Petersburg. Ind.. June 15.—A heavi-ly-laden coal car broke from Its mooring in the Kllllon coal mine and rushed down a steep incline, barely missing several miners and grinding a bank mule to death. every bone in the animal’s body being broken. Miners Change Their Minds. Brazil, Ind., June 15.—The thirtyone locale in district 8, of the block coal miners, have agreed to sign the scale submitted to them, and return to work.