Jasper County Democrat, Volume 23, Number 70, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 November 1920 — STATE NEWS ITEMS [ARTICLE]

STATE NEWS ITEMS

The Doings of Hoosierdom Reported by Wire. GUARD FOILS BANK YEGGS Night Watchman Routs Robbers From Farmers' Commercial at Edgerton During Pistol Duel—One of Thieves Wounded. * Fort Wayne, Nov. 26. —An attempt to rob the Farmers’ Commercial bank of Edgerton, a small town 15 miles east of here, was frustrated at four o’clock In the morning when John Figg, a night watchman at a garage, encountered an outpost of the bandits and engaged him In a pistol duel. Both men were wounded. Figg’s wounds are not serious, and it is not known where the bullets struck the bandit The robbers, who had entered the bank vault by means of acetylene torches, hurriedly fled In an automobile with their wounded comrade, leaving all their equipment and, in a large sack, more than $15,000 in Liberty bonds and negotiable paper. The men were breaking into the inner vault, where there was SIO,OOO cash, when the duel outside Interrupted their operations.

Pays Fine Though Guiltless. Indianapolis, Nov. 26. —Isaiah Allison, 225 Spring street, who bad pleaded guilty, in police court to a charge of operating a gambling house, told Judge Collins that it was against bls religious convictions to gamble—and convinced the court Allison’s wife, who was in Tennessee at the time of the raid and arrest of her husband, took the stand and explained that he never touched cards, but that her brother was the owner of a regulation “take" box found in their home. The box in question is a small metal affair with a slot in the top used in gaming places to hold the proprietor’s cut. The wife’s testimony seemed to clinch the argument in favor of Allison but the court was curious as to his reason for pleading guilty in police court and paying a line. In response to a question Allison said that he owned a team of horses and that there was no one else who could care for them. He was In court when feeding time came and on the advice of a friend admitted guilt and paid a fine In order to get away as quickly as possible and dish out the oats. * Hoosier Killed In Ohio. Noblesville, Nov. 26.—An investigation will be made by relatives, It was announced, to determine If possible whether Fred Rodebaugh, formerly a resident of this city, met with foul play. The body was brought here from Akron, 0., and burled. Rodebaugh’s body was found lying along a railroad track in a lumber yard In a suburb of Akron last Saturday. The condition of the body indicated he had been dead for some time, and an examination disclosed that his skull was fractured. There was a large cut on one cheek and one ear was almost severed. The body was covered with snow with the exception of the feet and these protruding through the snow attracted the attention of two small boys, who reported the incident to the police.

Wife Wounds Husband. Logansport, Nov. 26. —Edward Burgess, forty-five years old, proprietor of a soft drink parlor here, and bls wife are held in jail here following an alleged family quarrel in which Burgess was shot In the shoulder by a bullet from a revolver held by bls wife. Burgess is alleged to have struck his wife several times prior to the shooting. Burgess’ wound Is not serious. Burgess Is one of the m.en Indicted on a charge of bribery and conspiracy in connection with an alleged local whisky ring. Bury Judge Cox Today. Richmond, Nov. 26.—The funeral of Judge Henry C. Fox, who presided for many years over the Wayne Circuit court, will be conducted this afternoon under direction of the Masonic lodge of which he was a member for more than fifty years. The Wayne County Bar association will meet Friday morning to adopt resolutions of condolence. Judge Fox died on Tuesday from heart disease. jZ®25 Sheriffs Seek More Pay. Lafayette, Nov. 26.—Sheriffs from 25 Indiana counties met here with William W. Welnhardt, sheriff of Tippecanoe county, to draft a petition to be presented to the legislature asking a substantial Increase In salaries and fees. The sheriffs said they were so badly underpaid now that their income does not meet their running expenses. ’ 1' - ■ 1 tir Baby Eats Polson; Dies. Bloomington, Nov. 26. —Virginia May Dickerson, two years old, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Roy Dickerson of this city, died as the result of swallowing a number of strychnine tablets. The child found the poison tablets on the floor and ate some of» them, becoming violently ill a short time later. Dies In Crossing Wreck. Fort Wayne, Nov. 26. —Frank E. Mowery, forty-five years old of Keystone. was Instantly killed at Kingsland, south of thin city, when his anto was struck by a Chicago & Erle passenger train. The widow and three Children survive.