Jasper County Democrat, Volume 20, Number 26, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 June 1917 — Page 1

Jasper County Democrat.

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BURGLARS VISIT SEVERAL PLACES

Sscured About S3OO From Hilliard & Hamill. ESCAPE ON RAILWAY SPEEDER Two Negroes Who Reached Fair Oaks on Such a Car and Took Train for Chicago Are Suspected. .» Rensselaer was visited by burglars Friday night who succeeded in entering several places and making their getaway with the plunder. The places concerned were Hilliard & Hamill’s clothing store, E. S. Rhoads’ grocery store, Farmers’ Grain company office and S. P. Hilliard’s home. Just w r hat the plunder is has not been made public entirely, Mr. Hilliard, probably the heaviest loser, declining to make a statement concerning his loss. • Entrance to the Rhoads’ grocery was made by removing a pane of glass from a rear window, the burglars crawling through the hole thus made. In making their exit they unlocked the rear dooi' on the inside and walked out. Here the robbers opened the safe, pried open drawers and scattered papers about. They took some $2 or $3 in change from the cash register. In an inner compartment of the shfe was a considerable sum of money but td all appearance the thieves were without tools and no effort was made to force the small steel door thereto, which would have been easy work for professionals. They also took a small quantity of cheese here, leaving their finger prints, which are being i preserved. At the Hilliard & Hamill store entrance was gained by forcing a rear window. Some instrument was pushed through the bottom of the upper sash and the latch on top of the lower sash opened, permitting the window tp be raised with ease. The burglars then went after the cash register, which is a large one with several drawers, all made of wood. Each of these 'drawers were forced open and the contents of value removed. It is reported that in the neighborhood of S3OO was secured here, altohiugh Mr. Hilliard refuses to either affirm or deny this. However, it was generally known that he had charge of considerable Red Cross money, which probably attracted the thieves. Mr. Hilliard’s home on College avenue was not entered but at the rear door marks were found showing where an attempt had been made to jimmy the same. The grain office was entered in the same manner as Hilliard &. Hamill’s store, and 75 cents in change and $1 worth of stamps taken. The safe was unlocked and the burglars had opened this and ransacked the interior in search of money. It is the policy of the grain company to leave no cash in the safe or to lock it at night. It was the intention to secure bloodhounds and trail the culprits but a rain Saturday forenoon made this impossible. Saturday noon word came from Fair Oaks that two negroes had appeared there early that morning on a speeder which had been taken in the Monon yards at this place, and that they had taken one of the morning trains for Chicago. Mr. Hilliard, accompanied by J. J. Montgomery and L. A. Harmon, went to Fair Oaks immediately but presumably learned nothing of value. .Whether or not the negroes are the ones who really committed the thefts is not known, although some indications point that way. However, one of the principal victims scouts this idea, as there is some evidence tending to show that the thieves knew of the presence of Red Cross money in Mr. Hilliard’s store, and this would have been highly improbable with the two negroes, as there is not a single person who saw either of them about town and they therefore had no chance to learn about this money. Neither would they have known where Mr. Hilliard lived, as seems

probable in the attempt to enter his house. . Every effort is being made to capture the thieves, whoever they are, and it is not at all improbable that they will be behind the bars before long. Mr. Hilliard assures us -that he is leaving no stone unturned to that end and is confident of success. Detective William Weinhardt has returned from Rensselaer where he was called Saturday to investigate several robberies that took place there Friday night. A clothing store, a grocery store and an elevator were robbed, the burglars securing about S3OO in all. After the burglars had finished their work they stole a railroad speeder and ran to Fair Oaks, and then took a passenger train from there to Chicago.—Lafayette Journal. Mr. Weinhardt was called here by Sheriff McColly to assist him in rounding up the thieves. Two Monon detectives were also sent here from Lafayette, and they went on to Chicago Sunday on instructions from President Kurrie to assist in tracing the thieves. Mr. McColly was in Lafayette Monday night, at which time the two detectives were still in Chicago, he stated.

FORD AUTO TURNED TURTLE

Roscoe Reeder and Two Companions Unhurt When Car Upsets. Roscoe Reeder of near Virgie and two companions had a narrow escape from serious injury Friday evening when the Ford car in which they ’were riding skidded on the oiled street near B. Forsythe’s residence and turned turtle. . They were driving east on Wash?, ington street and as they neared the corner the right front tire blew out. They car instantly skidded into the curbing and bounded back into the street, where it turned completely over, the wheels turned skyward. The accident was witnessed by several people along the street who went to the car nad lifted it from the three men, who were all pinned beneath, but luckily none of them were injured. The car was quite badly damaged, the top being smashed, windshield broken, fenders bent beyond repair and the radiator broken quite badly. The steering wheel and gear was also damaged. The accident is said to have b.een due perhaps more to the fluid in the car than the oil on the street, and the overturning of the car disclosed that it was quite well laden with beer, and the street was strewn with beer bottles when the car upset, several of which were broken in the mishap.

BOY INJURED WHILE AT PLAY

Raymond McKay Caught Under Stone Car Near Ball Park. Raymond McKay, 14-year-old son of O. H. McKay, had a narrow escape from serious and perhaps fatal injury Friday. He and several other boys were playing with the stone cars near the ball park, pushing the cars to the top of the incline and riding them to the bottom. The rides were being made with the brakes partially set, but this was too slow for Raymond and he started down with the brakes released. When about half way down the speed of the car frightened him and he set the brakes, causing the car to slow up quite suddenly. The checking of the car threw him out and to the ground below, and also caused the car to jump the track. It turned over after leaving the track and fell square upon the prostrate lad. His companions were unable to release him and procured assistance in the person of George Collins and others. ® After being released Raymond was taken home and the family physician Called. An examination revealed that he had been ruptured and also bruised considerable. He was then taken to the county hospital for treatment. The lad was operated on yesterday, the operation beginning shortly before noon. At 2:30 o’clock he was reported to be resting well and the chances for his recovery were thought to be good.

LITERARY AND ICE CREAM SUPPER An ice cream supper for the benefit of the Sunday school will be given at the Slaughter school house in southeast Marion on Friday evening, June 29, the same night as the regular monthly literary, Everybody invited to come and help out a good cause.—Adyt.

THE TWICE-A-WEEK

RENSSELAER, JASPER COUNTY, INDIANA, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 27,1917

COURT HOUSE NEWS IN BRIEF

Interesting Paragraphs From tilt Various Departments OF JASPER COUNTY CAPITOL The Legal News Epitomized—Together with Other Notes Gathered from the Several County Offices. Judge C. W. Hanley was at Crown Point on business Friday. Sheriff McColly took Mrs. M. C. Coover of Remington to Longcliff Saturday. Commissioners’ court will convene for the regular July session next Monday. Elsie Trussell, daughter of Arthur Trussell of north 6f town, was declared insane Monday and application has been made to send her to Longcliff. She is about 26 years of age. F. M. Hershman and several others from Walker township were down Monday on Barnard ditch business, the hearing of which was taken up before Special Judge Wason of the Carroll-White circuit Monday. John Robinson, recently resigned, as deputy sheriff, is now employed 1 as watchman at the Indiana Steel! company plant at Gary and is getting $3.75 per, The Democrat is informed. Hie is on the day force one week and night force the next, we understand.

Up to yesterday noon seventy-two voters had registered in Jasper county, three women and sixtynine men. Mrs. A. Halleck Was the first woman to register in this county and County Superintendent Ernest Lamson was the first male voter. Up to this time but three women have registered—Mrs. A. Halleck, Miss Agnes Platt and Mrs. George Scott. Last ' Friday County TrSfcfeurer May sold the following stone road bonds to J. F, Wild & Co. of In? dianapolis: „ , ; Gratner stone road, $7,800, premium $2. Parkison stone road, $6,400, premium $1.50. Folger stone road, $11,600, premium $5.60. Adams stone road, $10,400, premium $5.10. Payne stone road, $9,200, premium $3.75. Former County Commissioner William Hershman of Walker township was in the city yesterday. Mr. Hershman has out 185 acres of oats and 175 acres of corn, all of which are looking fine, the oats especially so. Tn fact, he says, he fears the oats are too rank a growth and that they will go down badly. With favorable weather for the balance of the season Mr. Hershman thinks we will raise the greatest oats crop ever harvested in Jasper county, and that the corn, too, will be a good crop. Marriage licenses issued: June 23, William Edward Rose of Berkley township, aged 21 January 1 last, occupation farmer, and Bessie Marvel Watson of Gillam township, aged 18 September 7 last, occupation housekeeper. First marriage •, ■ . j> >■ —- for each. June 26, Ora Ancel Jones of Jasper county, aged 22 March 9 last, occupation farmer, and Gladys Alma Peters, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Peters of south Marion, aged 20 December 9 last, occupation housekeeper. First marriage for each..

FAKE DOCTORS WORKING HERE

Ask $75 for Treating Eyes of Jordan Township Farmer. A cleverly concocted scheme to extort $75 from R. A. Gillet of Barkley township last Friday was nipped in the bud. A stranger representing himself as “Dr. Prince” called on Mr. Gillet and asked him to telephone one of the banks in Rensselaer and guarantee a check for $75, which the stranger said had been given him by Mr, Gillet’s brother-in-law, Ames M. Rains, for removing two cataracts from the latter’s eyes. J. M. Rains, father of Ames, overheard the conversation and

knowing -bat his son, who is a deaf-mute, as is his wife also, was not afflicted with catarac’s, he demanded further proof and asked “Dr. Prince" if he was accompanied by the family physician. - The fake doctor saw that he was up against a snag in his plans and beat a hasty retreat, and so far nothing more has been heard of him. ; ■, The people are cautioned to beware of all persons unknown to them and representing themselves as doctors or specialists. Only last week four men representing themselves as such —and it is possible that it was one of these that visited Mr. Gillet—obtained $195 from two White county families who could ill afford the loss. The authorities should be notified at once when any of these crooks put in an appearance.

FRED D. GILMAN IS DEAD

Well Known Goodiand Miin Dies After Brief Illness. Fred D. Gilman, one of the best known men in Newton county, died at his home in Goodland Sunday night after a brief illness from kidney and bladder complications, aged about 50 years. Mr. Gilman, who was born and raised near Goodland and was a son of former State Senator W. W. Gilman, now deceased, had spent his entire life there and for several years was engaged in the banking business. He was widely known throughout this section of the state and had many friends among readers of The Democrat who will be deeply grieved to learn of his death. Mr. Gilman was twice married, his first wife, who was a daughter of 51 John Wilson of Goodland, ha ■ ing been killed in a railroad accident some years ago while on her way to attend a national Epworth League convention in California. Two Kentland young ladies enroute to the convention lost their lives in the same accident. From this unibn he is survived by six children, Owen. Hazel. Wayne, Marian, Leona and Grace Gilman. He was some years later married to Miss Dora Wickwire of Goodland, who with one small son survive him He also leaves an aged mothet, two brothers, William and George Gilman, of Goodland and four sisters. The funeral was held at Goodland yesterday afternoon.

NEWS OF COUNTY HOSPITAL

Harold Rowen, son of Frank Rowen, had his tonsils removed at the hospital Monday. Bruce Stevens of Morocco, who was at the hospital for ten days being treated for an injured back, returned home Saturday. David Halstead of Newton township was operated on at the hospital Saturday night for appendicitis and is getting along nicely. Mrs. Wilbur Ritchey of east of town underwent a minor operation at the hospital Saturday, from which she is recovering nicely. Mr. and Mrs. Michael Orr of Sheridan came Friday to see her brother, B. T. Lanham, who is now a patient in the county hospital. Dr. Loy, who has been suffering for the past three ■weeks from blood poisoning. caused from running a wood splinter into one of his fingers, is now considerably improved and has left the hospital. B T. Lanham of south Marion, who has been sick for the past two or more weeks with bladder trouble, was brought to the county hospital Sunday and was to be operated on last night by a Chicago specialist; assisted by locals doctors.

PROCEEDINGS OF CITY COUNCIL

At the regular meeting of the common council ot the city of Rensselaer Monday evening all members of the council were present, except Mayor Spitler, and the following business was transacted: William C. Babcock. Jr., was granted an electrician’s license on payment of fee and filing of' the required bond. Preliminary report in the street oiling petition of E. J. Randle et al., preliminary assessment rqll filed by city engineer and clerk was directed to give notice to property owners. July. 9 was fixed as date for hearing, remonstrances. The usual number of claims were allowed.

NOTICE TO RED MEN

All members are requested to be present Monday evening, July 2. Business of importance to be decided. Installation of officers and eats. —ORDER OF SACHEM.

GENERAL AND STATE NEWS

Telegraphic Reports From Many Parts of thi Country. SHORT DITS OF THE UNUSUAL Happenings In the Nearby Cities and Towns—-Matters of Minor Mention from Many Places. OBJECT TO THE POULTRY LAW Dealers Complain of Provision Requiring Public Record. Lawrenceburg, Indiana, June 25. —The poultry dealers and commission men are up in arms over the working of the new license law, the purpose of which is to stop the stealing of poultry. The dealers say that its provisions Involve too much red tape. The dealers in poultry are required to. obtain licenses from the clerk of the county circuit court. The greatest complaint is of section 3 of the law which reads: “Every person, firm or corporation licensed to deal in poultry shall keep a record in a book open to public inspection and kept for that exclusive purpose, showing the number of fowls of each variety purchased and the weight in pounds of such fowls a the person or persons from whom purchased, with postoffice address and the date of purchase.”

PERROTT AND 5 OTHERS GUILTY

Indianapolis Police Chief One of the Accused, Declares Jury. Indianapolis, June 25. —Samuel V. Perrott, chief of the Indianapolis police; Herman Adam, city inspector of weights and measures, and four members of the city police department. were tonight found guilty of a conspiracy to commit fraud in the 1914 registration and election by the verdict of a jurv in the United States district court herp. Frank M. Johnson, patrolman, the seventh defendant on trial, was acquitted. The court fixed July 10 as the date for hearing a motion for a new trial, and all the convicted men were permitted to go on their present bonds of $2,500 to $5,000 until tomorrow, when the question of increasing them will be passed on by the court. The jury’s verdict was reached four hours after it had retired, but it was an hour before it was read in court, awaiting the arrival of the defendants and their counsel. The indictment in the case was based on section 19 of the federal penal Code and charged violation of the civil rights of voters in their prevention from voting and the rights of candidates for federal offices in preventing them from having a fair election. Seven others who were indicted in the case pleaded guilty some time ago. - ,

HEAVY RAINS WITH LIGHTNING

A very" heavy rain fell Friday afternoon over in southwest Jordan and northwest Carpenter townships, accompanied by quite a bit of hail in places. The rain was by far the heaviest that has fallen there this season. Monday afternoon there was quite a rain in north and east of Rensselaer which was accompanied by some wind. We did not learn of any particular damage being done. The rain was not very heavy in Rensselaer. During this storm Emmet Fidler of Jordan township had two horses killed by lightning. The horses killed were two of. his best ones. They were insured and the loss has been adjusted at a valuation of S4OO.

Yesterday was a very bot day, the mercury at noon registering 92 degrees in the shade. A shower, accompanied by considerable' lightning came up about 1 p. m. This rain seemed quite general all about the vicinity of Rensselaer but was heaviest, perhaps, south of town. During the storm lightning evidently ° struck one of the electric light wires in the city and run into places using electric power. It burned out four fuses in The Democrat’s lead wires, putting our plant out of conrmission until new fuses were put in to replace those burned out.

RED CROSS FUND IS GROWING

Wheatfield Township Is Striving for Nation-Wide Honors. Every day brings in reports of increamng sums being contributed to th® Bed Cross fund and Jasper county 'will far exceed its allotment, and may (perhaps raise twice ae as the state department asked. Wheatfield township has come to the front nobly and has already far exceeded its allotment. They are striving to attain the honor place of aB the townships in the United State* and every indication is that their effort will be successful. They hold this place at the present time so far as it is possible to learn and M»an to hold it; They propose to make their contribution reach |I,COO, which would be little short el remarkable considering the population and resources. ▼e»y satisfactory reports have been received from Remington and Carpenter township, and it Is probable that well over SI,OOO has been secured there by this time. The townflhip has been divided into districts with a team of workers In each, and they will do their part In full there is no doubt. Throngh the efforts of W. L. Wood of Parr three very successful meetings have been held In Union township, and SSRO, which Is

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NORTH JUDSON AUTO WRECKED

Mrn. Pierre Thompson Injured When Two Fords Collide. Mri. .. Pierro Thompson of North Judson was “injured and her brother, C. C. Reprogffe, and two companions, a young lady and gentleman, were considerably shaken up when the Ford car in which they were returning homo from a visit to Rensselaer (was wrecked at the Eigelsbach corner about five miles northeast of town at 5 o’clock Sunday evening. Mrs. Thompson and companions had been to this city to visit her parents, Mr. and Mrs. G. Rej>logle, and also to visit the grave of her husband, who was. buried hero several weeks ago. As they neared the Eigelsbach corner they overtook two other cars and, being in a hurry, desired to pass them, both being driven moderately. The rear car of the two was passed safely and they then started to pass the leStting car, which was at that moment rounding the corner. ,This car was being driven by A. O. Moore of Hanging Grove township, and he was accompanied by Mrs. Moore and Mr. and Mrs. William Daugherty. Mr. Replogle, who was driving the North Judson car, started to pass Mr. Moore’s car to the latter’s right, and Mr. Moore, who did not know that another car was near, turned to the right after he passed the corner, and at this instant the two cars came together. The rear wheels of the Replogle machine skidded and the car turned over once and a half, alighting on Its side. All of the occupants were thrown out but none seem to have been seriously Injured except Mrs. Thompson, whose back was severly wrenched and who was in considerable pain. Mr. Moore telephoned to Rensselaer for a physician and also rendered other assistance. J. J.

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GLENN WISHARD SPOKE HERE

Former Rensselaer Boy Made Splendid Tulk Sunday* Evening. Glen P. Wishard, a*»former Rensselaer hoy and a graduate of the Rensselaer high school in 1902, who recently returned from India and France where he had been as a missionary for several years, made a splendid address at the union meeting on the court house lawn Sunday evening. Mr. Wishard went to, India in 1911 as foreign secretary for, the Y. M. C. A. In <1915 he went with the, Indian soldiers to France and later accompanied . them to Mesotania. He and Mrs. Wishard and their baby returned to this country about a month ago.

Mr. Wishard’s talk Sunday evening was of the religion and customs of the Indian people, and their need of examples in real Christian living, and was very interesting and instructive . throughout. Mr. and Mrs. Wishard will spend the summer in Wisconsin and this fall will enter the Chicago university for a course of special work. .

Vol. XX, No. 36