People's Pilot, Volume 3, Number 51, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 June 1894 — INDIANA STATE NEWS. [ARTICLE]

INDIANA STATE NEWS.

One of the most original and daring attempts to break jail on record was frustrated by officers at Peru, the other night. Four prisoners, three under sentence of penitentiary, secured rubber hose used for scrubbing purposes, fastening one end over a large natural gas flambeau. By lighting the other end they could reach any part of the cells. With this the solid stone walls were heated and by dashing cold water thereon and the use of stones a hole four feet square was made. When discovered they were nearly through the outer bars and nearly suffocated by escaping gas. Mary Kerner recovered SS,(XX) damages from the Baltimore & Ohio Southwestern railroad Co., atz Vincennes, on account of the death of her husband, John Kerner, who was killed while at work in the shops of the company at Washington. The prohibitionists of Elkhart county nominated a ticket. Over eight hundred Knights of Pythias live in Richmond. A big rod and dog club exists at Bedford. June's approach finds a discouraging condition prevailing in Indiana so far as the coming corn crop is concerned. Corn is a staple product in parts of the state; but cold weather and cut worms have ruined large fields which were planted at the usual time. The crop must be sown again. In Ripley county much corn ground has not been planted, and some fields remain yet to be harrowed. Wheat is in good condition.

All the saloonists in Lebanon excepting two were arrested for selling liquor on primary 7 ele tion day. South Bend councilmen address each other as “brother.” A well-appearing man, about 35 years old, wearing tan shoes, black suit and straw hat, is confined in the Muncie jail, insane. Ile is not known there. The amount due from the various railroads in Indiana under the new tax decision is $-1,000,000. Knightstown's $2,000 water works bonds sold for $21,745. Work will commence at once on the plant. At Anderson after a preliminary trial Dory Welsh, the slayer of Date McCullough, was acquitted by ’Squire Fleming. Dr. Joseph A. Stilwell, an eminent physician and surgeon of the Twentysecond Indiana infantry in the late war, died at Brownstown, aged 63. The new Presbyterian church at Muncie will be dedicated Sunday, June 17. The structure is of white stone and cost over $60,000 —the finest church structure in the state. Several days ago Jimmy Maxwell, aged 10, of Valparaiso, ran a rusty nail into his foot. No attention was paid to the wound at first, but the other morning he died of lockjaw. Muncie is to have another stock exchange. Schuyler Herrington, of Columbus, while hunting, observed flying near him a large bald eagle and fired upon it, breaking a wing. He then, attempted to capture it, but was unable to do so, and killed it. The bird measured six feet six inches from tip to tip of its wings. At Marion Annie Chambers attempted suicide with morphine because her sweetheart went on an excursion with another girl. Supt. Moore, of the C. and S. E. road, confirms the report that the Midland has been sold to the Monon.

New men have been appointed in the place of the policemen who struck the other night at Et. Wayne. Mrs. James Hume, in a fit of jealousy, went to Mrs. Charles Weaver's home, Ft. Wayne, and smashed all the windows in the' house because she heard that her husband was spending his evenings with Mrs. Weaver. The Dunkirk council has voted for a water works system. After thr'e months of unsuccessful drilling the hope of finding gas near Richmond has been abandoned. A small quantity of gas was found hut the influx of water prevented it from being used. It is the intention of the stockholders in the well to drill again, as they lielieve that gas can be found in liberal quantities. The decision of the U. S. supreme court a few days ago affirming the validity of the assessment of railroad property in Indiana by the state board of tax commissioners is the most important in which the state was ever interested. The decision affects railroad taxes assessed and partially collected for the years 1891, 1892 and 1893, amounting to over seven million dollars, most of which has been paid under protest. To the total amount affected could be added about 8440,000, which would represent the penalty attached by the auditor of state for delinquency. Some of the money has passed ' rough the hands of the state and has been applied on the debt. A portion of it is yet in the hands of the counties, having been paid under protest. To learn the amount paid by each railroad it would be necessary for county officers of the ninety-two counties to make reports. Added to the importance of the decision is the fact that other states have adopted the Indiana laws for assessment, which makes the ruling of a’ much interest to those states as it is in Indiana. At Anderson. W. C. Cook, a young man, assaulted Patrolman Dense at t n early hour the other morning, using a baseball bat as a weapon. After a tussle Dense shot him through the thigh. Cook is now at his home, suffering severely. Nr reason can be given for the attack. Mrs. Prudence Griffin, widow of Washington Griffin, died suddenly in Thorntown. Mrs. Griffin was one of the first settlers of that place, having located there with her father when it was an Indian trading post. At Cannelton William 11. Artinann wa« convicted of wife murder and sen-1 tor ?e-; to the pea for Ufa '