Rensselaer Republican, Volume 27, Number 33, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 April 1896 — INDIANA INCIDENTS. [ARTICLE]

INDIANA INCIDENTS.

RECORD OF EVENTS OF THE' PAST WEEfc. Mine Operator Arrested for Issuing Metal Checks in Lien of Money— Successful Meeting of Southern Indiana Teachers, “Straw Money” Men Arrested. United States Marshal Hawkins, of Indianapolis, went down into the block coal mining district the other day and confiscated SBO,OOO of “straw money.” Seven mine operators and mine merchants-were arrested for selling these token coins as money. The men under arrest are Nathan Y, Dixon of the Summit Goal Company, Finney Strong of the Linton Supply Company, Frank Martin of the Linton Coal Company, John W. Wolford, a clothing merchant at Linton, and Wolford’s three sons. For some time it has been the custom of mine operators to issue to miners before pay day metal checks, which were made to represent money value. Merchants also issued the checks and they passed into general circulation in the mining district as money or its equivalent. The checks were known In the district as “straw money.” They circulated at a 10 per. cent discount usually, but always brought their full face value when presented to the company that issued them. The coins range in denomination from 5 cents to sl. When times were “hard” in the mining district it was the custom to do business almost exclusively with these cheeks. No effort was ever made to pass them outside tho mining district. So scarce is money in £he district that John W. Wolford, one of the men arrested, had to borrow money to pay ear fare. There were several thousand dollars of checks in his office. The men have been placed under bond of SSOO each. The Government recently sent an inspector into the district who reported Jto Washington the facts on which the prosecutions were ordered. Indiana Teachers Adjourn. The Southern Indiana Teachers’ Association, which closed its session at Waajfee ington Friday night, was generally credited with being the most interesting and best managed ever held. There was an enrollment of nearly 700. An interesting program was carried out. Resolutions were adopted favoring the building of an “.Abraham Lincoln Art Institute” and a committee was appointed to draft and send a memorial to Congress urging the maiter forward. Officers as follows were elected: President, W. H. Senour, Brookville; vice-president, Mrs. A. R. Hornbrook, Evansville; Mrs. Hattie Head, Washington; secretary, Jennie Deming, Shelbyviile; treasurer, J. A. Carnagay, Columbus; executive committee, Superintendent FeathergllL Profs. R. A. Ogg, T. A. Mott, W. H. Hershman and F. D. Churehell. Franklin was selected as the next meeting place, —rr Mias Garbison Is Arrested, At South Bend, Miss Harriet Garbison was arrested, charged with the theft of a horse and buggy from a man named Garwood, living near Laporte. The young woman is 18 years old and came from Starke County, Ind. She had been wording on the Garwood farm for eleven,weeks when she made up her mind to leave, takmg with her a horse and buggy and Mrs. Garwood’s gold watch. Two girls went with her, but the trio got into a fight and Miss Garbison left the others. They had driven in all over 100 miles, driving by night. Tiriag of the trip, Miss Garbison sold the buggy to a farmer for $35, and as she could not find sale for the horse, gave it away. Miss Garbison is said to have made a confession to Chief Cassidy.

All Over the State. At Mancie, William C. Pyle is dead of cancer, resulting from a strain received while lifting a heavy burden some two months ago. "He belonged in Bcllnire, 0., and was betrothed in marriage to Miss Ella Hutchings, of Muncie. Noah Arnold, a married man, about 40 years of age. a member of one of the most prominent Dunkard families of Indiana, attempted suicide by cutting his throat at Rensselaer. He will probably die. He recently lost his sight, which probably affected his mind. ' 1 About twelve years ago Miss Ella Abbott went to Lebanon and entered the millinery business. Two years later she disappeared. Thursday John O’Brien, of Lexington, Ivy., arrived in search of her. He claims she has a legacy amounting to several thousand dollars awaiting her. aSSjaisafow to her has been found. Hallie Shafer was released from jail at Muncie by Judge Ivoons, after being kept for three months on the charge of being illegally married. In January Miss Shafer, who is white and quite pretty, was married to James Walker, a negro. Each was placed in jail and have since been held. In his finding Judge Koons says the white or black woman who marries the opposite sex is not guilty of crime according to Indiana statutes, but that it is a felonious act on the part of the man, and Walker will likely get a term in State prison. The Shafer girl has pnrents near Newcastle, who are highly regarded. *' * . An appalling accident occurred on the Belt Railway Monday morning at Bedford, when an engine and one car loaded with stone went through a sixty-five-foot trestle, killing five men instantly and badly injuring two others, one of whom has since died. The dead: Bevins, Sherman Carpenter, Charles Davis, Warren Leonard, Masterson, Charles Ogden, The injured: Henry De Vaull, Menzer. Henry De Vaull, the brakeman, was standing on the rear end of the car and jumped whon he felt the trestle giving way, catching on the timbers and thus saving his life. The injuries of Engineer George Menzer, aside from being scalded, nrnount only to a small cut In the bead and one in the breast.. After much difficulty Sheriff Strahn made a clever capture of two strangers at Winchester. They were selling pocketknives and revolvers on the street When searched ninety-six knives and revolvers were found on them. They gave fictitious names. v ■->£:' Mrs. Mary Suhr, of Kokomo, has sn&d Charles Kirkhoff for $30,000 damages for breach of promise to marry. Mary alleges that Charles jilted her, yes Suhr, and married a sweet creature named Sophie Syrup. If this candied statement can be substantiated we hope Charles will be stuck for a good round -