Jasper County Democrat, Volume 15, Number 17, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 June 1912 — COSTLY LODGE HOMES DESTROYED [ARTICLE]

COSTLY LODGE HOMES DESTROYED

I. 0. 0. F. and K. of P, Building Burned at Rossville. LOSS ESTIMATED AT $50,000 Three Leading Business Houses Are Damaged—Explosion of Gasoline Lamp Is Supposed to Have Caused Blaze.

Frankfort.—The most destructive Are in the history of Roosville visited that town and the site occupied by four of the downtown business buildings holds a smoldering pile of rubbish. With the buildings w'ent practically their entire contents, involving a total loss estimated at $50,000. The I. O. O. F. and K. of P. buildings, regarded the finest and most expensive structures in the town, were destroyed. Three of the leading business firms of the county town were wiped out of existence and their entire stocks of goods destroyed. All of the property of the two lodges was lost, including all records and equipment. In the Knights of Pythias room, records of the organization for the past sixty \ ears were destroyed. According to A. G Randolph, one of the proprietors of the clothing store, the fire was started by the explosion of a gasoline lamp. By force of the explosion, Randolph was thrown from his bed In the rear of the store. The flames spread rapidly through the place and soon gutted adjoining buildings.

Prisoner Confesses Murder. Marion. —Sheriff Tony George has returned to Marion with Ralph E. Broom, charged with complicity in the murder of Wade Robinson at Landessvllle on December 28, last. Broom has made a full confession of his crime to Sheriff George and others, implicating both himself and his cousin, W. O. Allison, whom, he says, fired the shot that killed Robinson. The prisoner says he will repeat his confession In court and will conceal nothing'when taken before the bar to answer for his part In the crime. Broom was captured last week at Rugby, N. D., by Sheriff Tlegen, who has been paid a reward of $250. Allison is still at large. 1 Vote To Boost Phone Rates. Shelbyville.—At a meeting here of the four Central Union exchanges of the county and the 13 independent exchanges, It was decided to increase the rate on all “farmer” lines in the county and all “tw’o-party” lines in Shelbyville from $1 to $1.25 a month, the change to go into effect July 1. The Central Union bought the independent company in Shelbyville eight years ago. The business has Increased by bounds and the Central Union is giving as a reason for the contemplated raise that the more telephones they have the less profit they are able to derive by holding to the original rate for service. Masons Plan New Home. Indianapolis.—A resolution was adopted by the Indiana Grand Lodge of Masons in session here at the Masonic Temple for the beginning of Immediate arrangements for the building of a Masonic home. The important thing that remains for the grand lodge to do is to select the site for the proposed home. Crawfordsville Masons began a vigorous campaign for obtaining the home, and distributed cards explaining the superior advantages of their city. Several other cities are desirous of furnishing sites for the home.

Held for Murder Attempt. Lafayette.—Fred Birchfield was arrested here by Officer Younker on a charge of assault with Intent to kIU. On the night of May 4 Birchfield cut Jesse Williams, agent for the Monon railroad at Crawfordsville, with a knife, it is charged. Birchfield had been a fugitive since that-_time and the Crawfordsville authorities have been scouring the country for him. He was taken back to Crawfordsville by Allen Michael, chief of the police of that city.

Aged Man Mangled By a Train. Sullivan: —John Arnett, aged eightyfive, unable to hear an approaching train, stepped on the track in front of a north bound local freight on the Chicago & Eastern Illinois' and was fatally injured. He died on hour after being removed to the home of his daughter, Mrs. Joseph Lamb, in the ambulance. His left leg was torn off, right leg broken and skull fractured.

Runaway Accident Is Fatal. Shelbyville.—Andrew Johnson, for-ty-eight years old, a prominent lodge man, died at his home here of injuries received in a runaway accident May 19. He is survived by a widow and one son.

Barnum’s Fat Man Is Dead. Elwood. —Chauncey Morlan, age for-ty-three, is dead here. He was said to be the heaviest Elk' In the world at the time he joined the order in 188'9, weighing at that time 853 pounds. He had traveled over the world with the Barnum & Bailey shows. His wife, who was an Indianapolis woman, weighing 553 pounds, accompanied him on his tours until she died several years ago. After the death of his wife Morlan quit the show business and engaged in a mercantile justness here.