Jasper County Democrat, Volume 14, Number 20, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 June 1911 — Page 1

Jasper County Democrat.

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LIGHTNING STRIKES FARMHOUSE.

During te storm Sunday evening, shortly before seven o’clock, a bolt of lightning struck Henry Eiglesbach’s farmhouse just southwest of town and tore a small hole in the roof, fortunately not setting fire to anything. The bolt passed through the ceiling directly over the bed of Mr. and Mrs. Eiglesbach, in their upstairs bedroom. Had it come a few hours later, when they were in bed, undoubtedly both would have been killed. As it was the damage did not exceed a couple of dollars.

AGAIN INVADING LAKE COUNTY.

Crown Point Star: Eugene Purtelle is again active in getting ready to build the Northwestern Indiana Traction line, and is at present working in Jasper county. Last Monday signs were posted along the road from Lowell to this place, which said “This is the route of the N. I. Traction C 0.,” so it seems he has invaded this territory a second time.

Mr. Purteile has not been at Rensselaer for the last couple of days. He had thirteen men at work yesterday out by the Hoover slough, south of town, getting ready to build the abuttments for a bridge, and it was stated by the young man in charge that more men were expected in a day or two. A cheaj) shanty has been put up for housing the Hunyak laborers out there, and a driven well put down for water. ■ The daily expenses must be S3O to SSO, and it is believed that parties in Chicago are putting up the money for the work that is now being done.

WRITES OF WITHAM’S DISAPPEARANCE.

Wm. M. Raska writes The Democrat from Wall, So. Dak., and says that he was running the John W. Poole farm north of Rensselaer when Clyde Witham, whose disappearance has caused the authorities to make a search of the Poole farm for his body, was working for Poole. Clyde came to his place y Raska says, and said he was going back to Benton county and settle up with Poole. “We never heard from him since,’’ says Air. Raska. Raska SayS Witham was a nice.'all ’round fellow and thought a lot of Raska’s family. “We should have heard from him,” Mr. Raska writes, “as I owed him some little money and he said he would send us his address, but we’ve never heard from him yet. I often thought of Clyde and wondered why he didn’t write.” Mr. Raska also writes more regarding Poole, but as the latter has been indicted for the murder of another farm hand Joe Kemper, and the case is pending in the Tippecanoe circuit court, we do not deem it proper to publish that part of his letter.

BAD ACCIDENT IN JORDAN

Hay Fork Falls, Piercing Limb of Alpha Christley. Alpha Christley, a well known young farmer of west Jordan, met with a terribly bad accident last Friday forenoon while mowing hay in his barn. The devise bolt attaching the rope to the harpoon hay fork had dropped out unnoticed and left the fork hanging only by the iron ring. It broke loose and fell ten or twelve feet, striking diagonally the calf of Mr. Christley’s left leg, passing entirely through it and making a fearful gash. The unfortunate man, who was alone in the mow, pulled the fork from his leg and came down out of the barn, when he fainted away* Doctors Parkison and Collier were hastily summoned from Brook and the wound cleaned out and bandaged. It w,as necessary to chloroform the patient while cleansing out tho wound, and he suffers terribly each time it is dressed. At this writing he is reported to be getting along as nicely as cart be expected. Had the sharp point of the fork struck him in the upper part of the body he would undoubtedly have been killed at once. • 1

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COURTHOUSE NEWS IN BRIEF

Interesting Paragraphs from the Various Departments OF JASPER COUNTY CAPITOL The Legal News Epitomized— Together with Other Notes Gathered from the Several County Offices. Eighteen took examination before Co. Supt. Lamson Saturday. —<o— Beaver tp., Newton county, in which is located the town of Morocco, will vote next Saturday on the local option question. Judge Hanley spent Sunday here with his family, returning to Valparaiso to take up the grind of the Gary “election riot” cases Monday. Trustee Charles V. May of Carpenter, and J. .A. Washburn and J. J. Porter of Remington were in the city yesterday on business. —p— Deputy Clerk, Miss Vera Parker, will take a vacation next week, which she will spend with her sister, Mrs. Wallace Parkison, at Brook. I —o— Sheriff Hoover sold the Chester G. Thompson farm of 600 acres in Milroy tp., at sheriff’s sale Saturday to F. L. Smith, the mortgagee, the consideration being $21,000. —o — Marriage licenses issued: June 24", Curtis Berkley Brunsdon of Chicago, aged 23, occupation machinist, to Ina Watson Shesler, daughter of Wm. R. Shesler, of Rensselaer, aged 22, occupation housekeeper. First marriage for each.

.—O'Charles Marlin was arraigned before Squire Irwin Friday for drunkenness and. disorderly conduct on the evening of June 10, and was fined $5 and costs, $9.10 in all. He was sent to jail, but paid out Saturday night and was released. —o— Squire Bruner fined Mrs. Frank Shide $1 and costs for assault and battery upon the person of “Daddy” Mabb last Sunday, it being alleged that she “sloughed” him' over the head with a poker, putting him to the bad immediately. —-o Thomas Davis, a wealthy farmer of near Kniman, was hailed before his honor, Mayor Meyers, Saturday afternoon and assessed $5 and trimmings, $10.60 in all, for public intoxication. He expressed the intention of laying out the amount in jail, but about nine o’clock that night he thought perhaps he had better go home, and pulled out a well filled wallet and gave the sheriff the and was released from jail. —o —

During the past week Special Judge H. A. Steis has been making daily observations of Cass and White Post township land to determine proper assessment of lands in the Monon ditch plans. Judge Steis said this morning that he had not determined when he' would make public Jais findings being taken during the present special term. - Monon township, whose .remonstrance was to have been tried this week asked that its case be dismissed. The Schleman and Fox remonstrances also scheduled for this week were continued because of sickness of necessary parties to the cases.—'Winamac Republican.

The appellate court a few days ago affirmed the case of Wm. L. Wood vs. Everett Halstead, et al. appealed from the Newton circuit court, holding: (1) It is not error for the court of its own motion to submit interrogatories to the jury requiring answers relative to specific facts. The act of 18,97 re-enacted that part of

THE TWICE-A-WEEK

RENSSELAER, JASPER COUNTY, INDIANA. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28,1911.

the former law which had been construed by the court as authorizing the court to submit interrogatories on its own motion. (2) A note made and dated at Mt. Ayr, Ind., and made payable “at the bank of Mt. Ayr,” will be construed to be payable “in a bank of this state,” and subject to the law .merchant when sued upon by a bona fide holder for value before maturity. "At” means “in,” and the bank will be presumed to be of the town where executed. (3) It was not error for the trial court to assume facts to be true which were testified to in a clears manner by plaintiff and entirely uncontradicted.

CHECKER CHAMPION

Of the World to Stop in Rensselaer Friday Evening. The checker players of Rensselaer were notified by the manager of Alfred Jordan’s tour of America that owing to a disarrangement of their plans the great champion would have ah open date Friday afternoon and evening, June 30, and he had tt.ken the liberty of stopping off here on his trip from Indianapolis to Hammond. Let every player come out.

PETITION HELD GOOD.

County Commissioners Decide Jordan Tp. Road Matter. The county commissioners held an adjourned session Saturday to hear evidence in the gravel road petition of C. E. Sage, et al. for a system of improved highways in Jordan township. A diagram of the proposed improvement was recently published in The Democrat. The principal objections seem to be as to the east and west road, the objectors claiming that it is too far south, one mile north Of the Carpenter tp., line. A -few ’ withdrawals from the petition had been filed, but the board held the petition was signed by a majority of the freehold voters of the township, and was sufficient. L. S. Alter was appointed engineer and George May and A. J. Bellows viewers, to meet and qualify at the office of the county auditor on July 1, and report on or before the first day of the August term. James H. Chapman, one of the objectors, prayed an appeal to the circuit court.

BUD HAMMOND HERE.

North Dakotain Visiting Relaatives and Friends in Jasper County. W. M. (Bud) Hammond of near Lisbon, No. Dak., came Monday for a couple of weeks visit with relatives and friends here. He says they have had plenty of rain there this season and crops never looked better. He thinks Ransom county is the banner county of North Dakota, arid farm lands have advapced greatly since ‘he located there a few years ago. George Yeoman of Benton county, a son of the late Ira W. Yeoman of Remington, was out there a few days ago and bought a section of land east of Lisbon, not very well improved, for which he paid $45 per acre. Bud has made good since going to Ransom county, we are glad to note, and now owns, with ‘his son, two good sections of land. He is in debt on tjie land, he says, but he and hfs son. who are farming together, own two good threshing outfits worth several thousand dollars, 75 head of horses and a great amount of farm implements on which they do not owe a dollar. They are warming this year four sections of land, all but less than 200 acres of pasture, etc., of which is in wheat, oats, corn and flax. With the prospects before them this year they will make a nice bunch of money off this season's crop. Bud’s sister-in-law, Mrs. Ellen Goble, came from Lisbon about a week ago with Mrs. A. J. Charles, who is visiting her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Joe of southeast of town, and Bud will take her to Royal Center to visit her sister there. Miss Goljle is totally blind. .

NOTICE TO CREAM PATRONS. As there will be ho celebration in Rensselaer on the 4j:h, the creamery will lie closed on that day.— Dean Merica, Manager. All the news in The Democrat

GOOD RAINS FELL

In Jasper County, Saturday, Sunday and Monday. The north part of Newton and Union township was visited by 1 a good heavy rain Saturday afternoon, which was much needed, and especially' in north Union, which territory has had very little rain for six weeks or two months. A good rain also fell Saturday afternoon southeast of Rerisselaer, but little fell here. Sunday, however, was showery all day and the rain appeared to be quite general, the heaviest of the showers here being at about seven o’clock in the evening. Monday morning another shower came, and a little rain fell in Rensselaer Monday night, the shower apparently being quite heavy farther north. These rains; while but a small fraction of what is needed to start the pastures and grass to growing, has done lots of good to the corn and late potatoes and garden truck throughout this section of the country.

FOURTEEN IN PARTY

Leaving Sunday On Trip to New York, Washington, Etc. Unless something unforeseen occurs there will be fourteen people in all that will accompany The Democrat’s party on its eastern trip next Sunday. Mr. L. V. Blanchard, passenger agent of the New York Central lines, was in the city again Monday and the final arrangements and itinerary of the trip gone over that everything might move as smoothly as clockwork. He will be here again Sunday, coming down from Chicago at 1:58 p. m., and deliver our tickets and sleeping car reservations to us, all filled out ready to sign up. A slight change or two in time of leaving certain points has been made from the schedule as published in a recent issue, and we herewith republish the complete intinerary: Party will leave Rensselaer at 3:13 p. m., Sunday, July 2, connecting at Hammond at 6:21 p. m., with the Michigan Central Limited and go through to Niagara Falls without change in Pullman sleepers. We will reach Detroit at 12:16 a. m., and cross into Canada through the new tunnel under the Detroit River. We go all the way from Detroit to Niagara Falls through Canada, stopping only at St. Thomas (3:38 a. m.), Falls View (5:48 a. m.), Victoria Park, Niagara Falls, Ont., Suspension Bridge, arriving at Niagara Falls, N. Y., at 6:15 a. m., Monday, July 3. All day Monday at the Falls, taking in the famous Gorge Railway trip and seeing the various points of interest at the Falls. Leave for Buffalo on any N. Y. C. train we may choose Monday afternoon or evening. (It is a 45 minute run to Buffalo.) Take sleepers leaving Buffalo at 9:40 p. m., and reaching Albany at 4:35 a. m. Tuesday. (This sleeper will be set off at Albany and we can rerpain in berths until 7:30, if we choose.) Leaving Albany on Hudson River Day Line “steamer at 8:30 a. m., down the historic Hudson July 4, for New York, reaching (stops) the city of Hudson at 10:40; Catskill, 11:00s Kingston Point, 12:25; Poughkeepsie, 1:20; Newburgh, 2:15; West Point, 2:50; Yonkers, 4:30; West 129th Street, 5:10; West 42d Street Pier at 5:30. Here we will be met by a representative of the Motel Martinique, who will conduct us to this fine hostelry at Broadway, 32d and 33d streets, right in the heart of the city, and look after the transfer of our baggage to the hotel without trouble or expense to us. The Hotel Martinique will be our headquarters during our two days stay in New York. A fine table d’hote dinner will had on the steamer going down the Hudson, other meals wherever we happen to be at meal timj. The New York City sight-seeing includes a yacht trip about the Island of Manhattan, Coney Island, Central Park, theatre, etc.. etc. | New York Thursday, July 6, at 3 p. m., on Old Dominion Line steamship for Old Point Comfort (we can go oh to Norfolk, Va.j if we choose with-

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GENERAL AND STATE NEWS

Telegraphic Reports from Many Parts of the Country SHORT BITS OF THE UNUSUAL Happenings in Distant and Nearby Cities and Towns—Matters of Minor Mention from Many Places. ELEGANT COUNTRY HOME BURNED. The elegant country home of John Mitchell, west of Chalmers, was burned Saturday afternoon. It was a two story building with an attic, and a defective flue is supposed to have been responsible. The fire was discovered at 2 o’clock by L. H. Shank, a contractor, who was building a barn on the farm. Smoke was coming from the eaves when he made the discovery. Part of the furniture was saved. There were 'four hundred quarts of fruit in the cellar and all was lost. Mr. Mitchell had $2,000 insurance, but the loss will be much larger than that.—-Lafayette Journal.

WELL-DRESSED MAN

Found Dead in Indiana With Bullet Hole in Breast. Ft. Wayne, Ind., June 24. The body of an unidentified man was found on the bank of the old canal near this city today. There was a bullet hole in his left breast, and by his side a revolver with one chamber discharged. He was well dressed in a blue serge suit. It was evidently a case of suicide. The man was probably 50 years old. had red flair and was smooth shaven. A Pennsylvania Railway ticket from Chicago to New York, dated June 20, was in his pocket.

SERIOUS CHARGES

Made Against Supreme Guardian of Forest Circle. Auxiliary to the W. of W. Rochester. N. Y., June 24. Sovereign Camp, Woodmen of the World and Supreme Forest Circle today wound up their biennial convention. The closing deliberations were marked by seveial acrimonious debates, especially in the Forest Circle, the Supreme Clerk charging the Supreme Guardian with having signed checks for amounts aggregating $20,000 without the knowledge or consent of the Supreme Clerk. The Supreme Guardian also charged with having kept her grandchild, agVd 9 years, on the pay roll as a clerk and deputy.

INVESTIGATES DEATH

Of Retired Farmer Found in a Cistern With Head Badly Mutilated. Fowler, Ind., ’June 23.—Peter Larsen, aged 63, a retired farmer, was found dead in a cistern in the rear of his home here this morning. His head had been badly cut as if with an ax and it was at first supposed he had been murdered, but later developments tended to support the suicide theory. Larsen and his wife had been quarreling all night, according to neighbors, and at 3:15 this morning was seen in the yard engaged in an argument. Mrs. Larsen said her husband beat her and then left the house, and she heard no more of him. Coroner LeSage, who investigated the death decided that Larsen committed suicide. The inI quest was completed late this I afternoon. The testimony given at the inquest indicated that Larsen left the house at about 4 o’clock after quarreling with his wife, and went to a back shed, 100 feet behind the house, and with a shorthandled hatchet cut a huge gash in his head, extending from the forehead to the crown, penetrating his skull at one point. It is believed that in a dying condition he crawled from the shed t,o the

Vol. XIV. No. 20.

kitchen behind the house and threw himself into the opening. The bulk of the testimony was to the effect that the Larsens were unhappily mated, and that a separation had been partly agreed to, and only last week Larsen told a neighbor that he intended to apply for a divorce. Mrs. Larsen, who was kept under surveillance (luring the inquest, was released last night. Peter Larsen and Mrs. Mett Freak were married January 27, at Clifton, 111., at the Danish Lutheran church, and came at once to Fowler, where they have since resided.

CHICAGOAN DROWNED.

Meets Death While Enjoying Vacation. Valparaiso, Ind., June 26. Michael Geltinon, treasurer Of the Chicago Screw Company, was drowned late Saturday afternoon while bathing near the summer resort at Kouts, this county, where he was spending a week’s vacation. He ventured beyond his depth, was seized with cramps and sank in sight of reHe was forty-five years old and leaves ,a'widow and four children.

“UNCLE” JOHN ADE

Wins Horseshoe Pitching Championship from “Charley” Fairbanks. Indianapolis, Ind., June 24. — Former Vice-president Charles Warren Fairbanks, entered as “Charley” Fairbanks in the Chicago Indiana Club’s picnic here today, lost the horseshoe pitching championship of the world, which he won last year at the club’s outing on George Ade’s farm. Fairbanks had the advantage in height and reach, but he was not able to put over as many ringers as Uncle John M. Studebaker, head of the noted South Bend family of that name, and Uncle John Ade, father of the author-humorist. Fairbanks had former Governor Winfield Durbin as his partner. Durbin had the reputatipn of being some horseshoe pitcher away back in the seventies, but he and Fairbanks never had a look-in. Ade is X 3 and Stude--baker is 79, but they worked as easily as the younger men. Ade celebrated his victory by announcing that his son had very little on him as a writer, although he may be able to produce more fables. Uncle John has just completed a history replete with good stories of early life in Indiana, and he has joined the increasing colony of Hoosier “literary guys.” Most of the authors of the “six best sellers” produced in Indiana witnessed the horseshoe pitching contest and participating in the many unique features arranged for their entertainment. George Ade and John McCutcheon were held up by masked highwaymen as they were en route to the farm where the picnic was held. They were tied to trees and forced to remain there until the 200 automobiles containing the visitors passed. Everything was returned to the victims except their tobacco. One of the novel stunts was a chariot race, some of the authors holding the reins over the mules attached. There were cano£ races in which some of the guests were painted to represent Indians. lliere was a revival of the ancient Indian water game of sokemsque. One of the features that caused more pleasure was a big dancing pavilion in which there were a number of ancient fiddlers, who fiddled all day to such tunes as “Turkey in the Straw.” About.soo “Hoosiers” came from Chicago on a special train for the pjcnic.

ADVERTISED LETTERS. The following letters rema.n uncalled for in the Rensselaer postoffiee for the week ending June 26, 1911: ■Mrs. L. B. Simonson, Forest E. Bradshaw, W. L. Rogers, D. Fitzgerald, G. B. Elder,. H. J. Taylor William Ward. The above letters will be sent to the dead letter office July 10, 1911. In calling for the above,’ please say “Advertised,” giving date of list.—G. E. Murray, P. M. Job printing of the better class type, ink and typography io harmony—The Democrat office.