Jasper County Democrat, Volume 14, Number 51, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 September 1911 — POOLE’S TRIAL NOVEMBER 13 [ARTICLE]

POOLE’S TRIAL NOVEMBER 13

Date Was Find at Lafayette Wednesday BRAVE BATTLE OF DAU6HTER Who Wins Over Patrons of School In Jasper County Who Wanted Her Removed Because of Her Father’s Alleged Crime.

Lafayette, Ind., Sept. 28.—T0 raise money with which to cpnduct a. legal fight to save her father from the gallows, Grace Poole, daughter of John W. Poole, the Benton county farmer accused of murdering Joseph Kemper, his farm employe, and burying the body to hide the the crime, bravely faced an assemblage of taxpayers at Wheatfield, Ind., who sought to have her discharged from her position in the township schools there because the notoriety which the case brought to her; and pleaded with them not to condemn her for something she had no more to do with than they. The story' of the girl's tragic dilemma and its consequences came to light yesterday in the proceedings in the circuit court here, which resulted in Poole's case being set for trial November 13. Miss Poole is standing by her father when all the other members of the family have deserted him. She declares he is mentally unbalanced and not responsible for anytihng he may have done, but she does not believe he murtjered Kemper. The young woman, who is twenty-two years old, was just starting on a special course of training for teaching at Chicago university' when her father’s arrest and the sensation it produced called her home. This is her second year in the Wheatfield schools. She has done excellent work there, it is said, and was re-engaged by the trustee for another year. When she returned two weeks ago to resume her teaching she found conditions changed. A number of the patrons of the school insisted that she be discharged because she was the daughter -of John Poole “the murderer.” The girl bravely bore the attacks and the trustee promised to stand by her. She made personal pleas to many of the people who assailed her, telling them she was entirely innocent of any offense and that it was wrong to hold her responsible for the conduct cf her father. She called a meeting of the school patrons and addressedthem from the platform. She explained her position and told them that if she were discharged she would have no way of raising the SSOO needed for her father’s defense. She told her. hearers that she believed her father innocent and that it would be criminal on her part not to stand by him and give him all the support possible. She told them of the sacrifice she was making and begged them not to persecute her further. The girl’s touching plea caused many in the audience to burst into tears and when , she concluded every person present shook hands with the young woman and assured her that she w'ould have their support.

It is the girl alone who is employing counsel for the accused man, the wife and other daughter refusing to contribute any money whatever for Poole's defense. Emory Poole, the son, who was responsible for the discovery of Kemper's body and the arrest of Poole, is still bitter toward his father and declared yesterday he would only be satisfied when his father went to the gallows.

paraiso University.—The music rendered is of a high class order and is selected from an exceptionally fine repertoire. I can with confidence commend it to the. public, feeling assured that wherever engaged the fullest satisfaction will be given. ! Kokomo (Ind.) Grace Church. —The Salisbury Family played to a large audience last night. The program was beautifully rendered and greatly appreciated by everyone. Coshocton (Ohio) M. E. Church.—lt is seldom that one has the opportunity of hearing a family of ten in concert where every- one is a genius and can play upon almost any' instrument, recite, sing and entertain “ with such pleasing variety. Their entertainment is one of merit. Marshalltown (la.) C. E. — The Salisbury Family that appeared Tuesday and Wednesday nights in the Presbyterian church was worth hearing. The entire program bears the stamp of originality, being praiseworthy' to the highest pinnacle of perfection^ At Presbyterian church, Rensselaer, Thursday, Oct. 5. Admission 35c; children 25c.