Jasper County Democrat, Volume 17, Number 93, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 February 1915 — Page 1

Jasper County Democrat.

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ANOTHER OLD SETTLER GONE.

Fitz W. Bedford Died Wednesday Morning at Age of 86 Years. F. W. Bedford, who had been in a critical condition for some days with pneumonia, died at his home just east of town on the Pleasant Ridge road at about 7:30 o'clock Wednesday morning, aged 86 years, 8 months and 16 days. Mr. Bedford was a native of Columbus, Ohio, and when a young man came to Lafayette, locating in Jasper county in 1857, where he had since resided. He was married in 1857 to Mrs. Elizabeth Warner, mother of Norman and Marsh Warner, of Rensselaer, who died in 1888. He leaves two brothers, W. S. Bedford of Osage City, Kan., and Daniel Bedford of Bridgeport, 111., also two sisters, Mrs. Mary J. Cole of the soldiers home at Lafayette, and Mrs. Julia Warner of Remington. Mr. Bedford was a man of more than ordinary intelligence and ability and for many years was a prominent figure in Rensselaer and Jasper county, but of recent years the infirmities of age has kept him quite close to ihis home. On November 5 he had the misfortune to fall and break his hip, at his home, and he had never recovered from the injury. Last week pneumonia set in and since then no hope has been entertained for his recovery. His brother, Winfield Bedford, had been with him the greater part of the time since his injury, except for a few weeks visit with his son in Chicago, and returned here again Monday and w r as with him when the end came. Deceased had been an Odd Fellow for over fifty years, and this order participated in the funeral exercises. The funeral was held from the house yesterday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the Christian church, conducted by Rev. Titus, and burial made in Weston cemetery.

AN INVESTIGATION PROBABLE.

Three-Year-Old Boy Dies of Alcoholic Poisoning in Rensselaer. The little 3-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Lou Watkins, residing in the northwest part of town, a section of the city dubbed “Rabbit Town’’ several years ago, died Wednesday of what the attending physician says was acute alcoholism. The funeral was held yesterday at 10 a. m., from the house. Rev. Titus conducting the services, and burial made in Weston cemetery. It fs common report in that part of town that there has been considerable drinking going on at the Watkins home, and it is probable the child got hold of some of the liquor and drank it, causing its death. At least this is a charitable view to take, as it does not seem possible that any one would purposely give whisky to a child of such tender years. Later—A postmortem w'as held Thursday and an inquest yesterday by Coroner, Johnson, who will turn over to the state his findings, and prosecution will probably result if the evidence of criminal intent is thought to be sufficient to so warrant.

Little Girl Run Over by Auto, But Not Seriously Hurt.

The little 9-year-old grand daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Moses Ohupp, Irene Clifton, had a narrow escape from about 1 o'clock Thursday afternoon on the crossing near the corner by Earl Duvall’s store. She was on roller skates at the time and was going so fast she could not stop. She ran right in front of D. M. Worland’d automobile, , which Mr. Worland was driving, and was knocked down and run over by the machine. She was picked up and carried to a doctor’s office and it is thought that was not seriously hurt and that no bones were brokenl although one wheel at least passed over her body, it is said. It was a very narrow escape and should serve as a lesson to other children who do not take reasonable precautions to avoid accidents of this kind.

Presbyterian Ladies Cleared $82.25 at Cafeteria Dinner.

The cafeteria dinner given by the Presbyterian ladies at the church Tuesday evening was largely attended and a splendid dinner was served. The ladies cleared $82.25, due to the fact that most of the edibles were donated rather than that there was that much real profit in the meals served. They wish to thank_thej public for the very generous patronage accorded them.

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COURT HOUSE NEWS IN BRIEF

Interesting Paragraphs From the Various Departments OF JASPER COUNTY CAPITOL - t The Legal* News Epitomized—Together With Other Notes Gathered From The Several bounty Offices. Commissioners’ court will convene in regular March session Monday. W. ;H. Parkison went to Logansport Tuesday on business connected with the Gault ditch case, which is pending in the Kokomo circuit court. Marriage licenses issued: Feb. 23, Loyal Brown, of Cyclone, lnd., aged 22 April 4 last, occupation farmer, to Alma Fern Gunyon of Parr,, aged 19 Feb. 18 last, occupation housekeeper. First marriage for each. Feb. 24, Andrew Kamminga p of Roselawn, aged 26 Jan. 2 last, occupation Tanner, to Bertha Peterson of Fair Oaks, q,ged 20 Feb. 18 last, occupation housekeeper. First marriage for each. Feb. 24, Ira Jennings Caldwell of Rensselaer, aged 20 Nov. 3 last, occupation farmer, to Lulu Maud Cavinder of Gifford, aged 18 Sept. 15 last, occupation housekeeper. First marriage for each. Male being under age, father filed written consent to issuance of license. Married by Rev. J. P. Green.

A. H ! . Hopkins, receiver of the Indiana assets of Israel Koffman, has been directed by Federal Judge Anderson of Indianapolis to send the assets he holds to Edmund D. Buell, trustee, at Chicago. Buell was appointed trustee in involuntary bankruptcy proceedings in the federal court at Chicago, where Koftman also owned a store. The Rensselaer creditors who sought to have the stock of goods disposed of here, and thus protect their claims, will probably receive little or nothing, except that the claim of Jasper county for some S6O for taxes, will likely be held to be a preferred claim and be paid Jn full whether any of the other creditors get anything or not. Mr. Hopkins will ship the goods this week.

Charles Shinkle, the Thayer, Newton county man who has been confined in jail here for the past three months, serving a 90-day sentence for burglary of the Adams ranch near Roselawn, as a prisoner of Newton county, where he confessed to his part in the robbery, was released Wednesday, having completed his sentence. Shinkle’s story was that he and the Grangers, of Thayer, committed the robbery of the Adams ranch house last May in which some SSOQ worth of rugs, silverware, etc., was taken, and says that he was induced by the Grangers to help them in the job, but got little if anything of the proceeds. The property was taken to Hammond and placed in a storage house, he stated, and it is said was later found there. Mr. Adams, who is wealthy Chicagoan, is after the Grangers for their alleged part in the robbery, and they are now under bond iiTthe Newton circuit court, the case 'to come up in the March term.

The Jasper county jail is now'harboring a self-confessed horsethief, a Newton county prisoner by the name of Walter Miller, who stole a team of draft horses, a driving mare and buggy, a set of double harness and two sets of single harness from the G. H. Hillis ranch west of Fair Oaks, Monday night. He was overhauled near Momence, 11l , by Mr. Hillis and some neighbors who pursued the thief in automobiles, and was taken back to Kentland where a preliminary hearing was held at which he is alleged to have made a full confession of the crime, and was bound over to the next term of the. Newton circuit court and sent to Rensselaer in default of bond. Miller had worked on the Hillis ranch and was therefore familiar with the lay of the land. He intended to makd Galesburg, 111., sell the driving mare and use the draft team for teaming in that city, he states. Miller, who is about 30 years of

THE TWICE-A-WEEK

RENSSELAER, JASPER COUNTY, INDIANA, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1915.

age and claims never to have been in trouble before, and it is very probable he will not get in trouble of this kind again for some years to come.

FORD AUTO TURNS TURTLE

And Ike Steveriton of Parr, Was Perhaps Fatally Hurt Thursday Evening. Ike Stevenson of Parr, was very badly injured about 7 o’clock Thursday pight while returning from a trip to Htebron, where he had taken Charles Lowman on business, the latter having hired Stevenson to drive him up there and back. On the return trip, with Lowman and some pedestrian they had picked up to give “a lift,” when about a half mile south of Demotte, in attempting to go around a team, it is said, the automobile was ditched and turned bottom side up. The passenger was practically unhurt, we understand, but Lowman had the wind knocked out of him and it was some time before he recovered, while Stevenson w r as perhaps fatally injured. He was patched up d little and the party were brought home, arriving at Parr about 9:30 Thursday night. Dr. English was called out to see Stevenson and found that he was pretty badly used up. His left ear was torn entirely off and he .was badly bruised about the face and head, and perhaps his skull was fractured. The car Vas a Ford runabout, we understand, and Stevenson had only had it a few weeks and was not very familiar with operating it. There are other stories afloat regarding the accident of which more will be said later. It is said that this is the second accident Stevenson has had with this car, which is the former Clyde Gunyon car. In the former accident he broke the car up quite badly. He has had the auto only about a month.

Complete Acquittal for Dan Waymire

The perjury case agaiiist Dan Waymire didn’t last very long in the court here Tuesday. It was a jury trial, and after hearing the evidence the defendant’s attorney moved the court for pre-emtory instructions to the- jury for a verdict of acquittal, which motion was sustained and the jury, so instructed. Verdict of not guilty returned and defendant discharged. -Mr. Waymire was recently indicted in the Newton circuit court for alleged perjury in teh trial of a lawsuit in that court some time ago in which damages was asked by Pruitt for Waymire’s alleged misrepresentation of a horse Pruitt bought of Waymire. The*'latter won the case, and Pruitt alleged that it was Waymire’s testimony, which Pruitt charges was false, in swearing that Pruitt had called at the garage of defendant in Rensselaer along in the fall after he had bought the horse and some time before Pruitt sued Waymire, to pay an auto hire bill, and was asked by Waymire how he liked the horse, ana he, Pruitt, had replied: “All right,” that caused the jury to return a verdict in his favor. Waymire took & change of venue from Newton county and the case was sent here for trial. The jury did not seem to think there was much to the case, and it was evident the court thought the same by instructing the jury to find for defendant.

Rensselaer Man Robbed in Chicago, Says Chicago Herald.

Thursday’s Chicago Herald contained the following item: “N. J. Goder, a farmer of Rensselaer, Ind., was felled by a blow on the head and robbed of $220 while trying to engage a room at 632 North Clark street, according to his complaint to the police. Jas. Korsyk and his wife, Josie, owners of the place, who, Goder said, were the only persons in view when he was assaulted, are under arrest.” No such name is known here. There are Yoders near Mt. Ayr, and Noah Yoder, near that place or Fair Oaks, is perhaps the party referred to, LATER—The Democrat is.informed that Noah Yoder went to Chicago a few days ago, and he is no doubt tie party referred to in the Herald.

The tree doctors have started work and are ready to attend to any of your wants in the line of modern tree surgery. Write or call, HOMER W. HODGES, Comer House, City.

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Expert Tree Surgery.

GENERAL AND STATE NEWS

Telegraphic Reports From Many Parts of the Country. SHORT OITS OF THE UNUSUAL Happenings in Distant and Nearby Cities and Towns.—Matters of Minor Mention From Many Places. Newton County Woman Over 100 Years Old. It is not generally known that Newton county has a centenarian among its citizens, much less that the home of one is in Morocco. But such is the case in the person of Mrs. Eliza Griffiths, mother of Mrs. PuettBlack, and who for many years has made her home with the latter until a few months ago, when-she went to Donovan to live for awhile with her daughter, Mrs. Emma Askew. Mrs. Griffith was born in Bedford, England, February 10, 1815. When 21 years old she was married to Thomas Griffiths and about seven years later they came to America and settled in Fayette county. In 1847 or 48 they moved to Newton county and located on a farm near Brook. Here her husband died over thirty years ago and for nearly 20 years she lived alone on the farm. She is quite well yet, sits in a chair most of the time but cannot walk. Her mind is very bright and if anyone is indebted to her she knows it and the amount to a cent. She is the mother of thirteen children, all of whom grew to manhood and womanhood, but she has outlived all but two, those spoken of above.—Morocco Courier.

Yeoman Banker Dead of Accidental Pistol Wound.

George Breeze, the Yeoman, Carroll county, banker who was accidently shot one day last week while handling a revolver that was kept in the bank, as; related in Wednesday's Democrat, died in the St. Vincent’s hospital at Indianapolis, where he had been taken, at 12:30 p. m., Wednesday. Miss Btessie Atkinson, assistant cashier, who was examining the weapon with Breeze at t-he time it was accidently discharged and in whose hands it was time, is prostrated over the terrible accident. Mr.. Breeze was a prominent republican of Carroll county and the nominee of his party for joint-repre-sentative in the last general election.

Fowler Restaurant Damaged by Fire.

Fowler, Ind., February 22.—Fire, caused by an explosion of gasoline, yesterday damaged the restaurant of C. M. Guy to the extent of SSOO. Jim Scott, a waiter, when filling the gasoline tank, attached to a coffee urn, spilled some of the gasoline on the hot pipes of the; urn. The gasoline ignited with explosive violence ana the can in Scott’s hands was blown to the rear of the restaurant. Scott extinguished the flames with the aid of a tank of carbonated water which he obtained from the soda fountain in the restaurant.

Round Grove Talks Traction.

An enthusiastic meeting of farmers was held Monday evening in the Round Grove school house to promote the interests of the new interurban railroad projected from Lafayette to Kankakee, O. L. Brown, general manager of the enterprise, in a lengthy explanatory address, stated what had been done and what was necessary to be done to push the work on with all possible speed. He stated that the final survey would be completed this week, that the right-of-way would be secured within two weeks and grading would begin in the course of a month. Addresses were also made by A. A. Templin of Cleveland, 0., and L. T. Lewis of New York, both of whom are representiiig eastern capital.—Monticello Journal.

Monday evening the Round Grove township school house was packed with enthusiastic farmers to hear 0.. L. Brown, the general .manager of the new interurban railroad which if? to connect Lafayette with Montmorenci, Round Grove, West Point, Princeton, Wolcott, Mt. Ayr, Morocco, Beaverville, St. # Anne, Waldron,

Kankakee and (Chicago. In a lengthy address Mr. Brown explained fully what had been done and stated what is now necessary to be done to make the enterprise a success. He stated that the final survey would be completed this week, that tho “right-of-way” would be secured in a couple of weeks and that the grading would begin at Wolcott in course of a month. He urged the farmers to continue their co-operation until the enterprise is completed, because an in terurban would enhance the value of their farms, and would give them new' and excellent means of transportation to markets and shopping centers. —Lafayette Journal.

COURT NEWS

The jury was excused Thursday evening until Monday, after returning a verdict in the case of Mcllwrath vs. Al Konovsky of Demotte. This was one of tho automobile which recently caused so much notoriety in northern Jasper aud Newton counties. Konovsky had bought ft fine 5-passenger Reo car of a Hammond man by the name of McDowell, the latter claiming to have bought, the car from an East Chicago man, named O’Neil, but could not give much information about O’Neil or just where he lived. Konovksy gave $525 for the car, it is understood, and when the detectives were down here a few months ago rounding up some of tho cars that were alleged to have been stolen from Chicago, they spotted this car as one that had been stolen from Mr. Mcllwrath, who came down here and identified the car. Konosvky contested Mcllwrath’s ownership and the case was tried In the circuit court Thursday. The testimony, it seems, was sufficient to convince the jury that Mcllwrath was the actual owner of the car, and after being out a little more than an hour they returned a verdict givipg $1 damages to Mcllwrath and possession of the car. Trial Calendar. March 1, James and Joseph Lant vs. Edward Lane. March 2—Wolcott Brick & Tile Go. vs. Thompson et al. Gaines vs. Johnson. March 3, Norris vs. Warren et al. Linton vs. Eichelberger. Bin ford vs. Eichelberger. March 4: —McConnell vs. Herr. Judy vs. Brown. March o —Callahan vs. Burkhart Progress Grocery Co. vs. Granger et al. State vs. Edward Casey..

Items from the circuit court docket: Simon T. Spriggs vs. David 11. Spriggs et al; Simon T. Spriggs files receiver’s bond in sum of S3OO with M. W. Coppess and J. J. Vanßuskirk /as sureties. Bond approved by court. State vs. Charles 11. Fox, charged with running a blind tiger; defendant re-arrested and gives bond in sum of SIOO with M. Leopold as surety. Cause continued for term. Dora A. Knight vs. Malissa M. 'Hurley et al; commissioner files petition for re-apprajsement, and C, G. Spitler and S. C. Irwin are appointS&A

(Continued on page three) L*

C. A. Bringle Appointed Carrier R-R-4, Remington.

/C. A. Bringle of Pair Oaks, who was recently appointed assistant clerk in the Rensselaer postoffice on a four-hour a day schedule, has been appointed rural mail carrier out of Remington, taking the place of Clyde Reeve, on Route No. 4, who moved to Deleware county, N. Y., a few months ago. Arvil will begin his duties as carrier Monday. Postmaster Littlefield, for the present, will put his daughter, Miss Wilda, in the office in Arvil’s place until the department selects some .one therefore.

Should Use More Road Drags.

The split log drag has contributed more toward the economic maintenance of public highways, says an exchange,, than any implement of modern usage. It does not require special acts of the legislature, bond issues nor expensive educational campaigns to make it available as usually precedes construction work. A drag can be built or purchased for a few dollars and is easily operated by any one who can drive a team. We need more drags in this state.

Box Social. The Pocahontas Council will give a box supper on March 4th in their hall in the I. O. O. F. building, to which they extend a cordial invitation to the Red Men, their friends and the friends of the council, A short program will be given.—Advt.

Vol. XVII, 93

ALLIED FLEET IS FORGING STRAITS

Many Dardanelles Fortresses Fall Before Huge Guns. SHELLED BY FORTY SHIPS Russian Troops Prepare to Attack Constantinople—Long Range Guns on Battleships Batter Land Defenses. London, Feb 26.—The forts at the entrance of the Dardanelles have been reduced after an all-day bombardment by tho Franco-Brltish fleet, according to an announcement made by the ad* mlralty. The announcement states: “Tho weather moderating, the bombardment of the outer forts of the Dardanelles was renewed on Thursday morning. After a period of long range firing, closo range firing was adopted. “All tho forts at. the entranco to the straits were successfully reduced. . . . The operations are continuing.” To Shell Constantinople. This means that the bombardment and possible capture of Constantinople by tho allied fleet, which has been reported to include 40 warships, is Imminent, and that tho fleet is at present smashing its way through the straits. The Dardanelles forts, for years considered among the strongest military barriers in the world, havo been subjected to almost incessant battering by the shells of the battleships’ guns since last Friday, when the supreme effort to force the straits was commenced. Before that there had been several attacks on the fortifications. The bombardment was continued all day Saturday and Sunday, and more than two thousand shells were dropped on the forts In that time. Bad weather for a time compelled the cessation of the efforts of the fleet to reduce the forts, but the bombardment was resumed Monday afternoon, again to bo ended by bad weather until Thursday. Long Range Guns Effective. Constantinople reported that the bombardment had been almost without effect, but the official announcement of the British admiralty said that the forts were unable to reply because tho ships were out of range, and that five of them were reduced by Saturday night. The attack on Constantinople will be simultaneous, It is believed here, with an effort on the part of the Russian army to take the Turkish capital from the land side. It was announced last week that Russian transports had been sent with a largo army to the Turkish port of Midi, 60 miles northwest of Constantinople, for an overland march against the gates of the capital.

THIRD AURORA GIRL IS SLAIN

Clubbed Like Hollander and Miller Girls; Near A. J. Hopkins' Home —Suspect Is Taken. Aurora, 111., Feb. 26.—This city has another murder mystery in which a woman is (he victim.,. It is the third case in 12 months in this city and the crime was comjnitted in a manner apparently simi■r to that of the two previous murders of women, both of which remain a, mystery. Two girls going home at 10:30 o’clock last night saw a dark object lying on the parking at the edge of the sidewalk. They bent down and saw a woman. The Bide of her face had been crushed in. The girls turned and fled down Lake street screaming. A policeman stopped them and learned the cause of alarm. He telephoned for an ambulance and hurried to the spot. She was placed in an ambulance and rushed to a hospital, but died on the way. At the hospital she was, Identified as Emma Peterson, twenty-two years old. She had been residing at the home of John Dooltng, a wealthy retired wholesale grocer and liquor dealer. The spot where she lay is a half block from the Dooling residence. Detectives early this morning ar rested John Mason, sixty years old, as a suspect in the Peterson murder case. He is an employee of St. Joseph’s hospital, where the girl died. At 7:45 o’clock last night Mason is said to have frightened another young woman. He was arrested then and released.

Baptist Ururch.y Sunday school at 9:30 a. m., preaching Sunday evening, Feb. 28, at 7 p. m. A cordial invitation is extended to all. Birth Announcements. Feb. 26, to Mr. and Mrs. Harry Thomas of near Parr, a son. Subscribe for The Democrat.