Jasper County Democrat, Volume 20, Number 18, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 May 1917 — VICTIM OF THUGS IS DEAD [ARTICLE]

VICTIM OF THUGS IS DEAD

Two Newton County Men May Face Manslaughter Charge. Jacob Howald, an aged resident of Colfax township, Newton county, is dead, and two Lincoln township men, Schuyler Cot and Clifford David, stand a good chance of being tried for manslaughter. It is said that about a month ago Mr. Howald took a load of corn to Roselawn and as he was returning home he met Cox and David. They asked him to get down from the wagon and have a drink of whiskey 'with them, which he did. They then demanded that he pay them' $lO for the drink, and when he refused they set- upon him and are said to have given him an unmerciful beating, all the time demanding money. By a superhuman effort the aged man finally broke away from them and being near the home of Tom Wiseman he ran toward it, crying for help. Cox and David p.vertook him just before he reached the house and again began beating him. His cries brought Mr. Wiseman out and through his efforts the

two men were driven off. Mr. Howald was taken to his home and a physician called, but his injuries were so serious that he was taken to a Chicago hospital. Nothing could be done for him there and he was again brought home where death came Saturday night and relieved his sufferings. The affair was investigated by the authorities of Newton county and Cox and David were each placed under a peace bond, but now that their victim is dead it is quite probable that a -more serious charge will be preferred against them. Mr. and Mrs. Howald are natives of Switzerland and came to Newton county from Chicago about fifteen years ago. They were industrious and economical and owned about 280 acres of land at the time of his death. It was rumored about that the old gentleman was a miser and kept large sums of money at his home, which probably inspired the attack upon him. It is also reported that following the affair the two participants told Mrs. Howald that if she took any action toward prosecuting them they would kill her. . Cox and David are both well known about Roselawn where they

have lived for many years. They are said to bear rather unsavory reputations and are even, reported to have intimidated many people from testifying against them. Cox is the present assessor of Lincoln township and also the Republican committeeman of that township. A post mortem examination of the body was made Monday by the coroner of Newton county and the prosecuting attorney, and the inquest set for tomorrow at Kentland. A large number of witnesses from northern Newton have been subpoenaed to appear at the inquest. Funeral services were held at the home Monday afternoon and the body was then brought to this city and shipped to 'yesterday morning where burial will be made.