Hammond Times, Volume 3, Number 148, Hammond, Lake County, 10 December 1908 — Page 1

EVENING EDITION

THE

COUNTY

IMES

WEATHER. Moderate temperature aad Increasing cloudiness today.

LAKE

VOL. III., NO. 148. HAMMOND, INDIANA, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1908. ONE CENT PER COPY.

D. B. HUNT

GETS 4 YEAR Hammond Man Confesses to Perjury on Witness Stand in Federal Court After Jury Finds Him Guilty, and Court Is Astonished. HIS FAITHFUL WIFE IN BAD CONDITION Dramatic Trail of Ex-Mailcarrier Who Robbed Frank S. Betz Company of Hammond, Takes Place at Indianapolis Today, and as Result Mrs. D. B. Hunt Is Overcime. (BY STAFF CORRESPONDENT.) INDIANAPOLIS, IND., DEC. 10-IN ONE OF THE MOST PITIABLE AND DRAMATIC TRIALS EVER HELD IN A UNITED STATES FEDERAL COURT, IN THIS OR ANY OTHER CITY, DANIEL B. HUNT OF HAMMOND WAS FOUND GUILTY OF ROBBING THE UNITED STATES MAILS AND SENTENCED TO FOUR YEARS' IMPRISONMENT. AT HARD LABOR, IN THE GOVERNMENT PRISON AT FORT LEAVENWORTH, KAN. A UNITED STATES MARSHAL WILL TAKE MR. HUNT TO PRISON TO BEGIN THE SERVICE OF HIS SENTENCE TOMORROW. TRIAL FULL OF TRAGEDY. The trial was full of tragic surprises and the Hammond people who were in attendance at the trial were simply dumbfounded at the incidents that followed each other in the law-avenging sequence. The episode of the trail is without a parallel. After swearing that he was innocent and being tried on that plea, the prisoned turned right around and confessed that he was guilty. WIFE IS PROSTRATED. Nothing but the most heartfelt compassion was felt for the faithful wife, who is in a critical condition as a resuit of the trial. Of course, she believed in her husband's innocence, and when Hunt confessed his guilt Mrs. Hunt lost control of herself and it took many to hold her. Her condition is very serious, and the physician who was called to attend the stricken woman is much worried about the outcome of the case. LIST OF WITNESSES IN CASE. The case was called at 9:20 this morning in the United States Federal court, with His Honor Judge A. B. Anderson on the bench. Those who appeared in the case were: Messrs. W. H. Gostlin, Albert Maack and Inspector Burr of Ft. Wayne for the government, and Messrs. Devlin, Mnrphey and Hunt of Hammond for the defense. Attorney J. K. Stiuson of Hammond defended Hunt, and United States Attorneys Kealing and Nichols appeared for the prosecution. VERDICT WAS GUILTY. The testimony against Hunt was very balck and it was hard to see how Hunt could clear himself. He did not throw himself on the mercy of the court but swore that he was innocent. The trail lasted two hours and the jury was out only five minutes. When they filed into the jury box the foreman, on being asked by Judge Anderson whether or not they had decided on a verdict, the foreman declared, "We have. Guilty." CONFESSED TO PERJURY. Then came the dramatic part of the trial. On being asked why sentence should not be passed upon him. Hunt arose and Judge Anderson began to quiz him. Then, to the amazement of the court and the great surprise of Attorney Stinson, who believed the prisoner innocent, Hunt broke down and confessed that he had perjured himself on the witness stand and had stolen the money from the letters. The stern features of Judge Anderson hardened and he immediately passed sentence on Hunt, making his punishment at four years in the federal prison. Hunt seemed dazed and stood like a statue with the blanche pallor of death upon his features. Then his wife lost control of herself and the pitiful scene followed. United States Commissioner Charles L. Surprise of Hammond was not called upon to testify. DR. T. W. OBERLI IS REAPPOINTED TO THE JOB The county commissioners, who were in session during the first part of the week, re-appointed Dr. T. W. Oberlin of Hammond as secretary of the county board of health. Attorney Brandenburg of Hammond, being the only applicant for the position, was appointed to defend the poor in the lake superior and the lower courts of Hammond, Charles Martin was appointed to defend the poor in the circuit court at Crown Point. The commissioners will meet tomorrow for the transaction of considerable business.

PRISON

PITIFUL CASE OF FOUND

Local Authorities Find Family of Ben

stances at His Home Today and Will Have Out Warrant for Arrest of Man Who Neglects Family.

The attention of the police was called to a most pitiful case of poverty and neglect when Officer Hanlon was sent to investigate the condition of Mrs. Ben. Hackelburg, 407 Thornton avenue, and found a poor overworked woman and her five children living in the basement of a house without even the barest necessities of life. The husband is a worthless fellow who spends most of his earnings in the neighboring saloons and does not seem to care what becomes of his family. He Will Be Arrested. Chief of Police Rimbach stated today that he would have a warrant issued for his arrest on the charge of nonsupport and it is likely that Ben. Huckelburg will be arrested before the day is over and will be brought to the police station where he will be compelled to give an account of himself. When Officer Hanlon went to the Huckelburg place of residence he found a revolting condition of affairs The door to the basement where Mrs. Huckelburg and her five little children live was standing open for the reason that it is impossible to close it, except from within. There were cracks in the walls where the cold wind whistled through and the partition in the partly underground apartments were of matched boards. All of the food in the house consisted of a pot of beans which one of the neighbors gave the poor woman. It is understood that she and her little children would have suffered greatly by the cold if it had not been for the fact that some of the officials of the Erie Coal Storage plant gave her a supply of fuel. Children Crying for Food. Last week after receiving his wages Ben. Huckelburg went away Saturday DRUNK WHILE WIFE IS DEAD IN HOUSE Shocking Case of Neglect Is Reported to the Local Police. GIRL INSULTED BY A MAN Reveal In Home Where Death Had Claimed the Mother of Five Children. ! With the dead body of his wife in the house awaiting burial and six little children, ranging from 13 years to 20 months in age, in sole charge of the place, Frits Klemm of Robertsdale came home intoxicated with a friend and the two men held high carnival in the place all last night, according to the police. During the evening the little 13-year-old daughter of Fritz Klemm was subjected to many indignities by her father's friend and the situation became so serious today that the neighbors called up the police station and reported the matter. Officer Hohman was detailed to make an investigation and he reported that conditions were as bad, if not worse, than the neighbors had pictured them. The little 13-year-old girl had taken complete charge of the place and she was doing the best she could to keep the house warm by keeping up the fire in the stove. The mother's death had been reported by Mr. Klemm to Undertaker Hellwig and the deceased woman had been properly laid out. According to the police the father seemed to think that his responsibilities ended there and he went off on a drunk. When he came back last evening there was a wild fight in store for the little 13-year-old girl and her brood of brothers and sisters. She was repeatedly accosted by the man whom the father had brought home with him ond was greatly annoyed by his actions. Mrs. Fritz Klemm was formerly a school teacher, and is said to be the daughter of well-to-do parents. She died at 2 p. m. yesterday after a lingering sickness from tuberculosis Mr. Fritz Klemm is a boilermaker, but he has not been working much lately. A policeman was placed in charge of the house and he will watch it until the father recovers from his intoxicated condition and is able to look after his six motherless children. LAKE SUPERIOR COURT. New Cases 5262. Illinois 5263. Maack. 5264. Alexander Leshmkowskl vs. Steel Co., Personal injury. Ira C. Gardner vs. Albert Injunction. Otto Ficblekom vs. William Koch and Julius Koch. Civil. 5265. John O. Bowers vs. Ernest L Shortridge. Civil. 5266 Charles Forsythe vs. Thomas Johansen. Foreclosure of mechanic's lien.

POVERTY BY THE POLICE

Huckelberg In Destitute Circummorning and did not come back until Sunday evening at 12 o'clock. Then he was drunk. Mrs. Huckelburg had been looking for part of his money with which to meet some of the expenses of the week, but all her husband gave her was $2. The children were crying about the house for the want of food and they were abused by the father for doing so. It is said that he does not abuse his wife for the reason that she wisely keeps out of his way and will not quarrel with him. As one of the neighbors said: "This is the second time that the Huckelburgs have been starved out and it is all on account of Mr. Huckelburg's drinking." The police say that the saloonkeepers who sell to him know that he is starving his family, but they do not hesitate to provide him with the means of his own and his family's destruction Worked Formerly for Simplex. At one time Ben. Huckelburg worked for the Simplex Railway Appliance Co. He quit there when the plant closed down and has been working for the city ever since. The business men with whom Mrs. Huckelburg buys her supplies state that she is scrupulously honest. They say she never owes anything but a small bill and she will always settle for that as soon as she gets the money. On various occasions the neighbors have given the family food. The children were clothed so that they could go to school. By the most rigid econo my the little mother has kept the bodies and souls of her little family together, but she is. now sick and worn out and has reached the limit of her ability to provide. CHARLES KREUTER FISHERMAN IS DEAD Aged Man Stood Watch For Many Years at Mouth of Wolf River HE LEAVES A SMALL FOURTUNE Old Man Has Been Ailing for Some Time and Passes Away in Chicago Hospital. Charles Kreuter, the aged fisherman and boat house keeper who stood watch over the mouth of the Wolfe river these many years, was buried yesterday in Chicago. His death removes another pioneer from the Calumet region. He was one of those men who linked the memories of the past to the present and saw this region turned from a swamp and haunt for game to a teeming industrial center. But the progress of the times could never induce him to change .his mode of living. He was 73 years old, and having never been married, he almost lived the life of a recluse. Life never looked clearer and simpler to him than when he could gaze over the wide expanse of Lake Michigan. Saved a Fisherman's Fortune. For years he held forth in a fisherman's hut at the mouth of Wolf river, where it entered the lake, and thousands of people have had occasion to visit the old man. They were naturally attracted by his simplicity and his quiet life, but few had the privilege of his confidence. He treated all his visitors with the same kindness, never forgetting that his main occupation was that of renting boats and fishing tackle. For many years he himself followed the fortunes of the hook and line, but the growing years deprived him of this pleasure for a livelihood and he then began renting out his boats. His wants were few and owing to his frugality he is said to have laid aside what may be termed a fortune for a fisherman. The $9,000 or $10,000 which he is said to have possessed are said to be have been willed by him to his niece in Chicago Some time ago he was taken to the Wesleyan hospital, where he died last Monday, he having suffered greatly with internal tumors. Charles Kreuter was a native of Germany, but has spent more than a half century in the Calumet region alone. He was an uncle of Attorney Kreuter, now dead, who in the early days of Hammond, acted as its city attorney. TAKE THE TIMES AND GET MORE HAMMOND NEWS PRINTD THAN IN AND HAMMOND PAPER, MORE EAST CHICAGO NEWS THAN PRINTED IN ANY EAST CHICAGO PAPER AND MORE GRAY NEWS THAN PRINTED IN ANY GARY PAPER. THE ONLY PAPER THAT PRINTS THE COUNTY NEWS.

WANTS TO COLONIZE THE COURTS

East Chicago Lawyer, in Interview With Times Man, Thinks That His City Should Have Superior Court Instead of Gary. COMPLAINS OF BAD TRAIN SERVICE Abe Ottenheimer Points Out the Reed of Shocking Accommodations Between Crown Point and Northern Part of Lake County and Would Like to See a Noon Train. (Special to the Times.) East Chicago, Ind., Dec. 10 Attorney Abe Ottenheimer, one of the best-known practitioners of the Lake county bar is in favor of colonizing the courts of Lake county at Hammond, with a con tinuous superior court of two judges. This he believes would eliminate all the heavy filing in any one court and would satisfy the majority of the Lake county attorneys. "I am against giving Gary a court," said Mr. Ottenheimer to a TIMES' reporter yesterday, "for the reason that the town is yet young and we cannot know lust what Gary will be in the future. If the additional court, which is almost inevitable, is to be moved from Hammond I am in favor of bringing it to East Chicago." This city, Mr. Ottenheimer believes, is so centrally located that it can be easily reached from every other city in Lake county and would thus be an advantageous location for any court house. Really Proper Place. "Hammond is really the proper place for our courts. If we had an additional court in that city it could easily take care of the heaviest grist of cases on any day. It is now necessary to handle cases in three courts in three different cities - Crown Point, Hammond and Valparaiso. Were we to have a court at Gary it would be almost impossible for an attorney of any reputable practice to handle his cases without suffering default on certain unlooked-for occasion," explained the local attorney. Criticizes Train Service. Mr. Ottenheimer believes that a great deal more business would be filed at Crown Point, thus equalizing the tension, were some effort made to secure a noon train out of the Hub. "One day last week," he related, "it was necessary for. me to file a motion, the filing taking but five minutes. I arrived in Crown Point after 9 o'clock was through with my business at 9:30 o'clock and was compelled to wait for a train back to Hammond at 4:15 o'clock." This is a new wrinkle in the mooted court question and one which It would pay attorneys to consider. Some action should be taken to secure better railroad service between Hammond and the Point, and Mr. Ottenheimer voiced the sentiments of a great many local attorneys when he urged THE TIMES to advocate such an addition to railroad services. Mr. Ottenheimer does not believe the change of location in the county seat would be a wise move at this time, on account of the recent $100,000 improve ments made to the county buildings. This change may take place at some far distant date, but for many years to come, he believes Crown Point should be maintained as the county seat. Mr. Ottenheimer is the local members of the legislative committee of the Lake County Bar association, and even a brief talk with him will convince his listener that Hammond is the proper place for the new court and that if any change is to be made East Chicago, and not Gary, should be given its benefit. What Do You Want? G Your wants are likely to differ from those of other people, but this does not affect the ability of THE TIMES to supply them. THE TIMES reaches all classes and conditions of people. It shoots neither over their heads nor into the ground. THE TIMES want columns will get you anything you want. C C c

BUSINESS MEN WILL HOLD

IMPORTANT MEETING TONIGHT

Question of Cheaper Insurance Will Be One of the Vital Issues Considered at the Gathering and Inspector Will Confer With

the Business Men's Association of This City.

Probably the most important meeting of the Hammond Business Men's association that has ever been held is scheduled for this evening at 8 p. m. in the rooms of the Lake superior court. Letters have been sent out to all of the members with an urgent request that they be present and participate in the discussion of the several important matters which will come before the organization. Among the important matters which will come up for consideration will be: (a) The readjustment of fire insurance rates. (b) The pure food and industrial show. (c) The merchant's platform re garding the state administration. (d) The report of delegates to the State Federation of Commercial Clubs. It will be seen that these matters are very important to the business men of the city. They are matters which will require their immediately attention. Important Feature of Meeting. Probably the most important feature of the meeting will be the presence of W. P. Kelly, the state insurance inspector of Indiana, who will be ready to hear Hammond's complaint regarding the necessity for a readjustment of the cities insurance rates to correspond to the lessened risk resulting from the organization of so many new departments in the city. The pure food and industrial show, which is projected, is one of the things which, if carried into execution, would go a long way towards developing a spirit of civic pride which is more evi dent in all of the other cities of the Calumet region than it is in Hammond. The merchant' platform is one which calls for reform in certain administrative circles. It calls for economy in EXPOLSION CALLS OUT THE FIREMEN Gasoline Lamp in Kammerer Saloon Makes Some Trouble. POSTER GETA A BED SCARE Flames Are Extinguished, However, With But Little Effort by the Department. Another explosion of the new gasoline light in the saloon owned by Mr. Blasius Kammerer and located at the northeast corner of State and Hohman streets was the cause of a run by the fire department and some harried work by the firemen before the flames which were burning inside of a partition near the gas. tank were extinguished. The trouble happened at about 5:30 when a negro porter went to generate the gas for the lights. He did not understand the mechanism of the gasoline plant and instantly there was a tongue of flame several feet long shot down from each of the gasolinel amps. Porter Almost Turns White. The proprietor of the place was frightened and ordered the porter to turn off the gasoline. This was not accomplished before the wooden partition, next to the tank where the gas is manufactured, became ignited and it was necessary to call the fire department. It did not take long for the firemen to extingupish the flames, but the proprietor of the place was compelled to go all evening with practically no light and his place was deserted as a result. SHORTRIDGE AND BOWERS. IN A FRIENDLY SUIT, Case Is Begun with the Idea that Coutt Could Make an Entry of the Matter. Judge John O. Bowers has brought a friendly suit in the Lake superior court against County Clerk Ernest Shortridge. in which he will attempt to establish his right and claim to a certain piece of property. The case was started so that the court could make an entry in the matter and establish the claim of the plaintiff. NELSON TO REFEREE WEST HAMMOND FIGHT. Battling Nelson will referee the Frankie White-Danny Goodman fight at West Hammond tonight. Goodman and White wound up their training yesterday and both are confident of coming home with the big end of the purse. A special train to the arena will leave the LaSalle, street station at 5:30 p. . m. The Battler will also cover the fight THE TIMES.

state expenditures. It will be of interest to the tax-paying business men. The report of the delegates to the State Federation of Commercial Clubs should receive the consideration of the members of the Hammond Business Men's association above all. The members of the local organizations. It is expected that the meeting tonight will be one of the most inter-

esting that has ever been held by the nresent organization, and a large attendance is expected. SIMPLEX EMPLOYE GETS PATENT ON BRAKEBEAM. Washington Officials Give Hammond Man a Patent on His Invention. William Fowler of the Simplex Railway Appliance company has secured a patent on an adjustable break beam head, which is said to be a great provement over the old style. imWhite it was known at the Simplex plant that Mr. Fowler was working on a patent it was not known that he had been granted the patent rights. Mr. Fowler was in Chicago today when an effort was made to get him on the phone. WANTS $2,000 FOR FALLING INTO A VAT. Alexander Leshuikowski has brought suit against the Illinois Steel company in which he demands $2,000 for injuries which he received when he fell into a vat in the plant at South Chicago. The vat was filled with hot water and the limbs and arms of the plaintiff were badly scalded. OPPOSITION TO BILL IS GETTING READY Metropolitan Measure, Affects Hammond, Coming Up. AN ATTEMPT WILL BE MADE Attitude of Lake County Representatives Not Known Until They Read Bill. That there is to be open opposition to the metropolitan police bill and an effort made to repeal it became certain when Representative L. A. Stephens of Anderson completed the draft of the bill and has had a typewritten copy of it prepared for presentation in the state assembly. This will be of great interest to the people of Hammond, many of whom are anxious to see the repeal of the old law and the enactment of another which will retain the non-partisan features of the old bill and incorporate in the new one the principle of local selfgovernment. New Regime Is Probable. This is the first intimation that there is actually to be an attempt to change the metropolitan police law and makes it apparent that a new regime in Hammond police circles is one of the possibilities of the near future. The attitude of Representatives WilHam H. Kliver and Edward Wickey towards the new measure will not be known until they have had an opportunity to read the bill and then learn what will be the desire of their constituents in the matter. Conversant with Situation. It has developed that Governor-Elect Marshall became thoroughly conversant with the situation politically in this county during his campaign visit here. The sentiments of the leaders regarding the disposition of the spoils of office, was canvassed and Mr. Marshall's deductions, it is said, will find expression in his message to the general assembly. Immediately following Mr. Marshall's inauguration the way will be opened for the appointment of a new board of police commissioners in this city pending the action of the legislature on the bill to repeal The operations of the cities and towns bill as related to this city was thoroughly explained to the governor-elect. SOBERS UP AT STATION. Peter Bennett was arrested by Officer Einsle and taken to the police station. At the station it was decided not to prosecute him. but to give him a chance to sober up and do the right thing. He was picked up at 12 o'clock in the evening and did not have a single valuable thing in his possession. Chief Higgins of East Chicago reports that "William Klebe of Chicago, 111 Richland street, had reported to him the loss of a horse and buggy.

OFFICIALS DENY THE RUMORS

Report from Pittsburg Says That U. S. Steel Corporation Has Closed Deal For Pressed Steel and Standard Steel Car StoriesCHAIRMAN E. H. GARY LAUGHS AT STORY Knapp, Haynie & Campbell of Chicago Doubt Whether Such Negotiations Are Even Contemplated, and Hammond Officials Do Not Know Anything of It. (Special to The Times.) New York, Dec. 10.--A Pittsburg paper this morning published a story to the effect that the United States Steel Corporation has closed a deal by which it acquires a controlling interest in the Pressed Steel Car company and the Standard Steel Car company. (Special to The Times.) New York City, Dec. 10.-When the attention of E. H. Gary, chairman of the United States Steel Corporation, was called to the report from Pittsburg as to the Pressed Steel and Standard Steel Car deal he said:. "There is nothing In the idea at all." Chicago, Dec. 10.--When asked if the report, printed in a Pittsburg paper, to the effect that the United States Steel company has purchased the Pressed Steel Car company and the Standard Steel Car company was true Attorney K. K. Knapp of the firm of Knapp, Haynie & Campbell, United States Steel company's attorneys, stated that he had not heard of any such deal and that he thought he would have bene advised of any such transaction if it had taken place. Mr. Knapp said further that he thought it very improbable that any such deal had even been contemplated. "The United States Steel company is not in the business of manufacturing steel cars and I do not believe it proposes to engage in that business," said Mr. Knapp. " I was in New York last week," he continued, "and I did not hear a word of any such deal or that negotiations of that nature were being carried on. I do not place any credence in the report." "Such a deal would involve the ownership of the local plant of the Standard Stele Car company, but Hammond people need not fear that its largest industry is to be gobbled up by the United States Steel Corporation. The stories which have been sent broadcast are regarded as pure dope and very poor dope at that. They are not credited in any circles where people are at all well informed on the subject." It was impossible to secure either the confirmation or the denial of the story here at the Hammond plant of the Standard Steel Car company today. SEVENTEEN A REVE1LED Hammond Girl Among Number Received Into Order of Providence. Seventeen young girls among Miss Anna Gerva of Hammond received the veil of the Sisters of the Order of Providence last Tuesday on the feast of the Immaculate Conception at St. Mary's of the Woods at Terre Haute. The usual solemnity reigned at the academy, the investiture being an annual event taking place on the feast of the Immaculate Conception. Among the other Indiana girls who were invested were: Nora Donahue of Logotee, whos is now Sister Rose Pauline; Lucile Ready of Indianapolis, now Sister Frances; Frances Klumpta of Jasper, now Sister Roberta Marie; Florence Himmelschaffer of Terre Haute, now Sister Florence Marie. Miss Gerva of Hammond is now Sister Benedict. Preceding the high mass, the seventeen postulants, gowned as brides in white robes, with wreaths and veils. ceremony of investiture Leaving the chapel they returned after a brief absence, attired in the religious habit. The day also marked the close of the thirty day retreat observed by the nuns who have been ten years in the order, and on this feast take their perpetual