Hammond Times, Volume 1, Number 240, Hammond, Lake County, 29 March 1907 — Page 1

THE WEATHER. Generally fair and colder tonight and Saturday; Sunday fair. Circulation nr Yesterday 00 VOL. 1, NO. 240. NIGHT EDITION. HAMMOND, INDIANA, FRIDAY, MARCH 29, 1907. ONE CENT PER COPY. IRS. SOHRUM I: t 0 WOKDE ANOTHER BIG STICK ON THE ISTHMUS.' PPllTBTS LL ESCAPE TIE GALLOWS THEfGQHPU IS DISCOVERED EE CONFIRMED

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Jf Indiana Laws are-Criterion Eailroads Have Kick' Coining.

Illl I m mo HU H iill null lull n uuiLi Commission Prepares One Enumerating Recent Changes, at Bequest of International Body. (Special to Lake County Times). Indianapolis, March 29. Playing Its part in the railroad program of President Roosevelt, the Indiana state railroad commission, in response to a request from the interstate commerce commission has prepared a brief made public today, of the changes and additions to the laws concerning railroads since 1902. And if the changes that have occurred in Indiana are mirrored in the laws of other states, it Is small wonder that the railroad men have gone to the president to protest against the storm of legislation regulating railroads among the states of the union. Only this, the official classification of the changes made looking towards the better regulation of railroads, will show up clearly the multitude of laws passed in the last five years with reference to this subject. On every hand are limitations made, as to equipment, men, hours of labor, rates both pasBenger and freight, authority, etc. It Is a remarkable showing of the power of the state as a corporation, when once the necessity of action against the private corporations makes itself manifest. - Two-Cent Fare Law Leads. First in importance in the compila tion is the Indiana two-cent fare law, last in its enactment. This will become effective when the acts are published about the middle of April. There are thirteen different items relating to the prohibition of dangerous structures and the use of safety apa , . iJmJr,..c K,. are the following: Necessity of power brakes, grab Irons, hand holds, standard draw bars, automatic couplers. safety appliances for passenger .trains, air brakes on motor cars, overhead bridges sufficiently above the track. Inspectors are provided for the vio lation of the different Items, such in epectors to travel free on the trains. Foremost among the baggage regulations i3 that one which provides that commerlal travelers' samples are to be carried as baggage and the charges for the excess is to be one cent for each three miles for each 100 pounds, the minimum charge to be 25 cents on less than 500 pounds and BO cents on over 500 pounds, The law now requires a company "to publish printed rules for the operation of trains, placo them in the hands of the employes and file with the commission, and to examine trainmen every six months for the next eighteen months, and then annually." The train men and operating officials are to meet each year upon call of the railroad commission, and discuss the accidents of the preceedlng year. In case of an accident resulting in the loss of life. the commission may report the person guilty to the prosecuting officer. More Progress Required. Inclusive power is given the commission to enforce laws relative to the movement of traffic. These laws 'require, among other things, that cars must go forward at an average of fifty miles a day, or twice as cxpenditlously as at present on the average in the United States; that they be set for unloading within twenty-four hours after they have been received; cars to be furnished within forty-eight hours after a demand is made; and permits the railroad commission to apply for an operating receiver of any road which does not obey the orders of the railroad commission with reference to the movement of cars and traffic. There must be a full crew of five or more for al freight trains having fifty cars or more, and for all passenger trains having five cars or more engineer, fireman, conductor, brakeman and flagman. All companies operating dining cars and selling liquors must pay a state license of $1,000. The brief filed with the interstate coramerce commission then outlines the powers of the railroad commission as conferred upon it by the last commission bill. These have been enumerated in these columns several times . Before concluding with the account of the report to be made to different state officers, including the tax board, the state statistician and the railroad commission, the brief enumerates the crimes of which . a carrier may be guilty: To confine llvo stock on cars longer than twenty-four hours without feed, water . and rest; to transport diseased stock; to suffer passenger cars to be locked; for trainmen to be Intoxicated; to obstruct a highway or street crossing; to operate passenger train without ax, sledge hammer, saw and bucket; and several minor crimes. FOR RENT A few (.parlous, well lighted, well ventilated office rooms and suites on the second and fifth floors of the Hammond building as soon as the work' of remodeling, which Is now groins on, ean be completed. Plans are now on exhibition at the ofQccn ft the Hammond -Realty company

Times Reporter Finds Woman Whose Whereabouts Baffle Police.

AT INDIANA HARBOR Elopes With Hired Man Is pentant So Husband Forgives Her. ReMrs. T. II. Schrum, who mysteriously disappeared from her cozy country home three miles south of this city while temporarily deranged leaving her husband, to whom she had been married fifteen years, and six children, was located yesterday by a Lake County Times reporter in a hotel in Indiana Harbor where she had gone to meet another man. Her husband, who has been looking for her ever since Monday, has been nearly prostrated with grief, fearing she had committed suicide. He knew that she was in a delicate condition and that while thus she was the victim of delusions, and what rested heaviest upon his mind was the fear that Charles Wendoroff, a once trusted employe of his, had taken advantage of the woman's susceptibility and had persuaded her to leave her husband, her children and her pretty country home as she did three weeks ago. Mr. and Mrs. Schrum have been married for fifteen years. According to the testimony of the husband, Mrs. Schrum was a faithful wife and a devoted mother. Her house was kept in perfect order and she loved her children, three girls and three boys. Strange Actions Date Four Weeks Back After all these years of happy mar ried life, four weeks ago she began to act strangely. Wendoroff. the hired man, seemed, for the first time in the seven years that he worked for Schrum, to exert a peculiar influence over the mner b wue, AbbutJ'fnreentweeW and Wendoroff disappeared. They were located by Mr. Schrum the next day in Chicago. The -oman was brought back to .Hammond thoroughly re pentant. Mr. Schrum became con vlnced that the woman was not in a normal mental condition and after she had made a full confession of what she had done, he forgave her. Wendoroff continued to come to the house whenever he saw Schrum go to town and at one time the little girl of a neighboring family, who was playing with the Schrum children, saw Wendoroff point a pistol at the head of Mrs. Schrum and after calling her vile names demanded that she go away with him. This is according to the story by Mrs. Sven Magunssen, the mother of the child. Wendoroff was taken before Justice Flynn, but the latter refused to accept the evidence of the women and the children, and the prisoner was given his liberty after admitting that ho had a gun, but pointed it at his own head. Mr. Schrum claims that Wendoroff has threatened to kill him If he came to Hammond and so he has remained away for the past few weeks. A hurried search was made of all of the farm houses In the vicinity, but no trace of the missing woman could be found. Leaves Farewell Note. Mrs. Schrum left . a .note . . in . which she said that she had gone away, never to come back again, and told her husband cot. to look for. her body. The police . were notified, but without results. Five days passed and Mr. Schrum had given up all hope of. finding the wife that he still loved and whom he believed had been misled while in an abnormal mental condition caused by her delicate physiclal state. Then a Lake County Times reporter In his rummagings about, found a clew. Mr. Schrum was notified. This was at 4 o'clock yesterday afternoon. He came to this city where he and the reporter took the car for Indiana Harbor to a hotel in which town the clew led. On the way over the man was fo excited that he could hardly contain himself. "I can't let her go in that condition." he said. "She doesn't know what she Is doing. She has been that way every time, before her other children were born. Xo I can't let her go, I must get her back. When she is well again she will be all right." Vses Ficticious Name. On arrival in Indiana Harbor, after describing the woman, who had registered as Mrs. C. O. Howard, to the satisfaction of the hotel keeper, - a woman in the hotel went to Mrs. Schrum's room and confronted her with the fact that her identity had been discovered. The woman broke down and admitted that she was Mrs. Schrum. Mr. Schrum was then admitted to the room and he and his wife had a tearful conversation together. She said she was sorry she had gone away from home, that she longed -to see the children again and that she was heartbroken to think she had again disgraced herself in the eyes of her neighbors. This morning Mrs. Schrum went back with her husband to the six little children who were anxiously wait-

OLDEST SETTLER v.lMSJ CHURCH Joseph Humpher, Who has Lived Here 50 Years is Overcome. Joseph Humpher, father of Fred Humpher, the Hohman street grocer, and probably the oldest settler in Hammond, fainted while attending services at St. Joseph's Catholic church yesterday morning and for over twenty minutes was unconscious. Mr. Humpher had complained of a headache in the morning, but went to church notwithstanding. The closeness of the air in the edifice is supposed to have been too much for the aged man. After he had fainted the general opinion was that he was dead. A member of the church ran up to the store and told Mr. Humpher that his father had dropped dead while attending church. The son immediately ran to the church, but a few minutes after he arrived his father was restored to consciousness. He was at once taken to his home at 123 Condit street where he is confined to his bed today, but is Improving as well as can be expected. Mr. Humpher is 80 years old and has lived in Hammond for the last fifty years. ORTHODOX JEWS HAVE FEAST. Passover Observed by Hebrews Over the World Beginning; this Evening: at Snndown. "Unleavened bread shall be eaten these seven days; and there shall not be seen with Thee any leavened bread; and thou shalt tell thy son on that day, saying; this Is done on account of that which the Lord did unto me when I came out of Egypt." Exdous XIII, 7-8. Beginning tonight at sundown all Orthodox Jews will observe the feast of Passover which will last for eight days. It i3 one of the principal feasts in the Jewish calendar, and takes its name from the angel of death's passover that he made when he slew the first born in every Egyptian home. While there is enough of food on the tables all week, it is differently prepared from the ordinary. Unleavened bread, called matzoh Is used exclusively In the bread line during the coming week. A mixture of fruit, nuts and wine is prepared and served, which In color resembles mortar. This to comemmorate the freeing from slavery when the Jews were compelled to make brick and walls In which the mortar was used. Bitter herbs are also placed of the table, bits of which are eaten. The father sits at the head of the table and while the meal is consumed he tells the story of the Passover. The Hammond Hebrew Sunday school will be in session next Sunday afternoon at 2:30. Advertising of e right sort persuades people to buy. It's more nearly akin to reaping than to seed-sowing; while It brings en immediate harvest, It at the same time leaves the field In better eondition fertilises it for further production. This is tbe medium of trade in the Calumet region. THE LAKE COUNTY TIMES,

JUDGE I'lil RULES FOR CITY

In Case of Bondholders of LaPorte. LaPorte, Ind., March 2S. Special Judge McMahan In the LaPorte circuit court today granted a permanent injunction to prevent the city of LaPorte from paying money to the LaPorte Water Supply company. He held that the plant, which was built seven years ago, and which has been in litigation ever since, is the property of the city. Eight years ago, when the city's Indebtedness was close to the constitutional limitation, the LaPorte Water Supply company was organized, and later constructed an auxiliary water plant which cost $100,000. The company Issued bonds for $65,000, which were taken by the Northern Trust company of Chicago. Later the city acquired all the stock of the company except two shares. Under the franchise it began paying the company sufficient money to operate the plant, and for the bonds and interest as they came due. Previous to this E. II. Scott and other taxpayers had attempted to prevent the construction of the plant, but the lower court refused an injunction. Upon appeal the Indiana supreme court declared that the water company was organized to evade the constitutional limitation. As a result of that ruling suit was brought to prevent the city from paying the company money, and this is the case in which Judge McMahan ruled today. His decision says that the city owns the plant regardless of any claims made by the Chicago bondholders who are suing in the federal court for a receiver and for possession of the plant. GOVERNOR TAKES NAML UNDER ADVISEMENT. Now Considering MIlo Bruce's Choice For Police Commissioner Attorney Still Deellnes to Make Known tatter's Identity. Attorney Milo M. Bruce received a letter this morning from a member of the republican state central committee at Indianapolis, stating that his recommendation for the new police commissioner is now in the hands of the governor and that he thought Hanly would act favorably on the matter some time this week as he is very desirous of getting the vacancy filled as soon as possible. The governor has just returned from the east and is sick at present, which accounts for the fact that he has not already taken some action in the matter. Since The Times made known the fact that Mr. Bruce could give the name of the probable next police commissioner, he says he has been besieged with Inquiries as to the identity of his choice, but he has refused to give out the name yet until he knows for a fact that he will be appoint Last night Attorney Bruce rece. 1 a letter from D. Jannapoulo. the Greek consul at St. Louis, stating that he had seen the governor personally in regard to commuting the sentence of Stathacopolus to life imprisonment. In his telegram he thanked Mr. Bruce in behalf of the Greek government for his work in helping get the sentence commuted

Berryman in Washington Star.

10 VISIT EUROPE FOR GARY SCHOOLS Supt. Wirt Will Make SpeGermany. Superintendent W. A. Wirt came over from Bluffton yesterday morning and with the president of the board of education went up to Chicago for a conference with A. F. Knotts, manager and E. J. Buffington, president of the Land company relative to school matters in general. After the conference they returned here and Mr. Wirt attended a session of the board of education at front. At this session the board and its Mr. Cutler's residence near the lake superintendent went somewhat at length over the general policy that will be followed out in the handling of the complex problems before them and the general plan of buildings that will be used. The buildings will be made to conform to the needs of the community in which they are built and will be made community centers as far as possible. This morning the board and Mr. Wirt made an extensive tour of the city to get more closely In touch with local conditions and to plan somewhat for the needs this fall and winter. Mr. Wirt left on the Pennsylvania for Bluffton from where he will go with his wife to Europe sailing from New York Saturday, April 4. They will be gone until the latter part of June, returning by way of Boston where they expect to visit for a few days. Most of their time will be spent in the industrial centers of Germany and other countries of Southern Europe, the plan calling for some time at Essen, the home of the famous Krupp works. Essen is essentially an industrial center like Gary will be, being the home of the largest industry of its kind in the world. LIVE WIRES THREATEN PASSERS-BY WITH DEATH. Officer Knni Noticing the Danger Con stltutes Himself Guard Over Dangerous Crossing, Warning All Persons Away Several Narrow Escapes. Several people narrowly escaped deafh last night on the corner of Mor ton court and State street, where two live wires had blown down and were dangling across the street. At times when they became crossed the sparks would fly and the wires would sway from one side to the other. Officer Kunz, who was standing on the four corners, saw something was wrnne so he went down and stood guard over the street until an electri cian could be called to cut the wires farther down, south of Morton court. While standing on guard several peo ple attempted to cross the street and nniv for the presence of the officer might have run right into the wires, wMrh would probably have caused their deaths as there was a strong cur rent. One man, whose name could not be learned, paid no attention to the cries t thA crowd, and not until Officer Kunz has threatened to strike him with his club did the fact dawn upon him that he was in danger. If we did. not deserve It, do you think we eould have seeured O.OOO cir mi4lon In nine months? Think It

vex.

Men Senator Bowser Na

for Oil Inspectorship Get Notice. TERM BEGIfjS APRIL 1 John Graessli and George Davis of Chesterton and Lowell, the Lucky Men. Through the appointment of Messrs. John G. Graessli of Chesterton and Geo. Davis of Lowell for the deputy oil inspectorship for tliis district, another long standing speculation has been ended. The appointees were notified yesterday and their term is to begin April 1. They succeeded Henry Whitacker and ex-Senator T. E. Bell. Their appointments last for four years and should have gone Into effect in January. The recommendations were made by Senator A. J. Bowser and they have been sanctioned by the governor. It is the duty of the oil inspectors to inspect all oils that are sent out from their district and pass on it in order to protect the consuming public as to its grade. Among the politicians the deputy oil inspectorship is considered somewhat of a plum although the $100 a month allowed as the highest limit is deservedly earned if the work Is conscientiously carried out. There was consequently much speculation as to whom the senator would appoint. Dowser Talks. In speaking of the appointment this morning Senator Bowser said: "In making the recommendations I took into consideration the even distribution of favors as much as lies with me. I think that the southern end of Lake county is entitled to some recognition for they stand shoulder to shoulder down there. Chesterton township, one of the banner townships in the state, is entitled to some recognition and it is no more than right that one of the appointments should stay in Porter county. As for the two men, I, know them both personally Mind know that-they are well qualified for the work. Hammond may have expected something in this distribution but it will be remembered mai ii receivea a special lavor in a separate superior court, a thing that will benefit everybody there. In mak ing these selections I have used my own judgment." John Graessli is a printer by trade but at present holds the position of clerk and treasurer of the town of Chesterton. Mr. Davis is well known especially to the people of southern Lake county as a township assessor. MAK REFUSES TO SANCTION EXTENSION OF SEWERS. If He is Obdurate, Petition Will be Cir eulated and If Enough Signatures are Secured, Board will Pass Ordinance Over President's Veto. At a meeting of the West Hammond board of local improvements yester day afternoon for the purpose of tak ing up the plans and specifications for the extension of the sewer system. President Mak was present but refused to sign his name to the papers allow ing this extension. All members of the board were in favor of having the work done but Mak 'wanted to further consider the matter. So taking the plans to his house where he kept Contractor Healey's bonds and contract for six weeks he told the board they had bet ter consider the meeting closed. If Mak does not sign the papers granting the extension or the sewer system, a petition will be circulated which it is expected will readily get nearly all of the citizens signatures in the village. This will be presented to the board and if the president does not sign, it will be passed over his veto The citizens of the southeast side want the new sewer to be extended on their territory as they needed it as badly as any other part of the village. The board will meet again tomorrow afternoon. STILL IGNORANT OF FORTUNE John Robinson Has Not Been Found so Does Not Know of His Good Luck. So far as his friends in Hammond, East Chicago and Indiana Harbor know, John Robinson is still in ignorance of the fact that he has been left a fortune by the death of his uncle, Mr. Detchen, who resides in Illinois. All efforts to locate him have failed and his friend3 believe they will simply have to wait until he returns from one of his hikes through the country and then inform him of his good luck. Robinson is so well known here that he does not ply his trade in this city but goes out among the people who do not know him. He Is out on one of these hikes now and for all hi3 friends know he may have $50,000 as a result of his winnings when he returns. He has not been seen at any of his old haunts for several weeks and so he is due to return in the near future. He will then place himself in communication with the lawyers who are administering the estate and will receive , his portion of it. THE LAKE COUNTY TI3IES Is reeognlzed as the only medium through which the Intelligent buying public of Jjhe Calumet region caa be reached.

Hanly Commutes Death Sentence in Case of John Lapidat.

CAH'T TELLPRISOIIER Doomed Man Ignorant of English Thinks Guards' Signs Mean v Instant Death (Special to Lake County Times). , Michigan City, March 29. Governor Hanly late yesterday afternoon com muted the death sentence of John Lapidat to life imprisonment. This action followed some hours after his commutation of Stathoeoooliis sen tence. Both were to have been hanged to night for the murder of Gus Kacklemanus, whose death the Greek accomplished, and Alexunder Urdia, whom Lapidat killed. Stathocopolus received his commutation with n. simnu "Thank you," but he appears to be a new man. Xo so with the Roumanian. Lapidat. He is ignorant of the Knsr. llsh language and nobody in tho prison is able to converse with him in his own tongue, and consequently tho wretched man has not yet learned of his good fortune. Like a hunted creature, destitute of all hope, he paces nis cell uncertain, of his fate, always waiting for the guard to come to lead him to the gallows.' He does not even know what day had been set for his hanging, but is guessing that his time Is up. "When the guards came into his cell last night to tell him of the good news, he thought' they were about to lead him away, and when they made signs on their necks, shaking their heads to intimate he was not to be- hanged. no aid not understand. He moaned and finally collapsed. Warden Held is now seeking two men from Chicago who visited Lapidat some time ago and through these wants . to tell him tha story. ' Signs Document In Bed. Governor Hanly's action was taken at his" residence, where he la confine.! " to his bed by illness. The sentences of both murderers were commuted to life imprisonment. ' After the governor had acted in the cases the Rev. Moaes Zalea, pastor of Santa Maria church, Cleveland, 0.,and Louis Brown of Indianapolis, both Rou manians, called at tho governor's office to thank Col. Fred Gemmer, the governor's private secretary, for tha governor's action. Both men had labored hard in Lapidat's behalf becauso the man had few friends in this country and because they believed his action to have been wholly In self-defense. Tears camo from the eyes of both when they learned that the governor had saved Lapidat's life. Action in the Roumanian's case was? not taken until 4:30 o'clock yesterday, evening. Governor Thorough. The governor had insisted upon going into the cases thoroughly. Propped up in his bed, the state's executive listened attentively to the reading of the evidence. Occasionally he requested a halt so that he could rest, and once or twice he tdept. After all had been read the governor put his name, with a firm hand, to the documents that meant the gratification of a monarch's wish and the release from the fear of death of two swarthy praying convicts at the prison. Since he has been in office Governor Hanly has allowed but two murderers to go to the gallows. In both cases tho men were negroes, George Williams, slayer of Edward Fettieord, an Indlnapolls policeman, being the lastBesides the cases decided yesterday the ' governor has commuted the sentence of two other men, Edward Donohue, convicted of murder in Lake county, and William Spores, convicted of murder in Scott county. Murderers' row for the first time in six months is now without an occupant. BOONE CARRIES OUT THREAT. Prosecuting Attorney Boone is making good his threat not to try any more criminal cases in the local court and has already filed a dozen state cases in Crown Point for the April term of court. In hia Interview in Ttra Laks Countt Times a few days ago Mr. Boone stated that he was tired and disgusted with his efforts to secura conviction by local juries and said that hereafter he would take these cases t9 the county seat. WATER QUESTION DELAYED. There was a special meeting of the East Chicago council last evening for the purpose of considering the water and light question, but all of the members of the council were not present and It was thought advisable to postpone action until next Wednesday when an attempt will be made to have all of the members present. The ordinance, establishing a prohibition district on the north side was passed, however, and a few other matters of minor importance were attended to. The meeting adjourned early in th evening. The only way to appeal to. persons who want to buy In tbis territory is i THE. LAKE COXXTY TIMES,