Jasper County Democrat, Volume 10, Number 42, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 January 1908 — MYSTERY AT CICERO [ARTICLE]

MYSTERY AT CICERO

Family Warn«d to Leave the Town by Some One Who Is Unknown. * BLOODHOUNDS GO ON THE TRAIL Hold It fbr Awhile, hat Law It Later— George .Beard’s Disappearance—State News.

Cicero, Ind., Jan. 15.—This Hamilton county town is dealing with a mys tery that has not only Cicero but surrounding counties interested. There is in Cicero or vicinity an unknown person who is threatening the family of George Kauffman. The family has 'been warned to leave Cicero at once. Three warnings have been sent the Kauffman family and the perilous threats of the unknown enemy have spread ti the neighborhood. The letters of warn lng began coming to the Kauffman home three weeks ago. At first little attention was paid to them. Bloodhounds Lose the Trail. Later, however, Mrs. Ella Wilson who lives across the street from the Kauffman home, found a letter at her door that warned her to remain away from home for a few nights as a matter of personal safety. Mrs. Wilson took the note to the home of the Kauff man family, and its members called the attention of Marshal John Foster to that and the previous warnings Marshal Foster at once sent to Noblesville for bloodhounds, and they ar rived here an hour later. The dogs went at once to a highway a square west of the Wilson home, and there lost the scent. Buggy tracks show that the person evidently had driveD away. Town Board Offers a Reward. Then the town board met and offered a reward of SIOO for the arrest of the anonymous enemy of the Kauffmans and the town Marshal John Foster and several deputies guarded the Kauffman home all night, but the destroyer did not appear.. Kauffman, a glassblower. and his family, consisting of Mrs. Kauffman and four young sons, have been regarded as model citizens ever since they came here several years ago. Why the Kauffmans were chosen for destruction is a mystery for they are well liked here. Marshal Foster’s Theory. 'Marshal Foster has a theory and he is working on that. A news stand in Cicero keeps the “Diamond Dick’’ novels, the kind that bear titles like “Fearless Phil, the Felon’s Foe,” and “Laughing Luke, the Unlieked.” He is getting the names of all the boys that read these stories an*d Is going to seek a clew among them. The one mean mystery about it all, however, is why the would-be destroyer chose the Kauffmans for his target. They seem not to have an enemy here. IHEI THINK HE WAS MURDERED Man Who Disappeared Seven Yean Ago with SSOO on His Person. Petersburg, Ind., Jan. 15. Relatives of George Beard, of Hunting burg, who disappeared seven years ago, are now Investigating hia disap pearance on the theory that he was murdered and robbed. Nov. 26, 1900. Beard left his home in Huntingburg for his sawmill some miles avjay, and •was never again beard of. He was in Evansville on the day before his disappearance, and sold SBOO worth of timber, receiving the cash. He deposited S3OO In bank, where it still remains to his credit This only recently came to the knowledge of his relatives. Henry Beard, a brother, is now satisfied that he took SSOO with him and was murdered and robbed. Beard was heavily involved at the time of his disappearance, and for this reason his absence provoked no Inquiry till the present time.

Fairbanks’ Boom Boomed. Indianapolis, Jan. 15.—Republicans of Indiana in district conventions selected’members of the state committee which will manage the coming presidential campaign In Indiana. Each district convention unanimously adopt ed resolutions heartily indorsing Vice President Fairbanks for the prestden tlal nomination. The administrations of President Roosevelt and Governor Hanly were commended. Senators Beveridge and Hemenway were In dorsed. Been Unconscious HO Honrs. Fort Wayne, Ind., Jan. 15.—After ly lng for 110 hours In an unconscious condition, Mrs. Isabelle D. Bowen, a wealthy widow, has opened her eyes Absolute quiet surrpunds her, and bul letins are being placed hourly on tb« door for the benefit of friends. Mrs Bowen was partly suffocated last week by escaping gas. Cheap Gas at Vlnoennea. Vincennes, Ind., Jan. 15.—The Vincennes Light and Power company announces that It will sell its artificial gas after the first of next month for 30 cents a thousand, and have natural gas for sale after the Ist of March. Well-Known Preacher Dead. • Indianapolis, Jan. 15.—Rev. I* W. Bicknell, one of the oldest and bestknown Baptist ministers In the state, is dead at the home of his daughter here. He was seventy-seven yean old.