Rensselaer Union, Volume 2, Number 5, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 October 1869 — The Hackle Suicids Hoax. [ARTICLE]

The Hackle Suicids Hoax.

Mr. It F. Goddard ha* given us tllf l letters concerning the Hinklesaicide hoax, for pablkatioa. The following are extracts giving the nabstancc of their contents: “Aha, September 13th, *6O. “Mr*. M. C- Godi>aui> \ . Reiisselaer. J “Annt Mary; It seems to be my painful duly to break to you tho sad new* of the quick departure of our friend Bent. The photograph I enclose tells the story much quicker than I can write it. [The photograph represent* Mr. Hcnkle suspended by s ropo around his neck, with writing material* on a box near by, as though he had written an adieu to hi* triend* and then hung himself.— Ex»s. Union.] He committed the rash act on last Friday night and was not discovered until Saturday morning. The funeral takes place to-day at two o’clock p. m. He left a few lines on the box by his side which I think had better not be sent to Rensselaer. The trouble seemed to have been on account of * * * *’» marrying. He had worked hard all summer and saved some money, and, from the conversation I had with him on the subject, I think he intended to visit Rensselaer late this fall.

“Yours truly, (Signed,) “W. L. Bvbtox.” This letter was enclosed in a mourning envelope and bore all the appearance of truthfulness. Some parlies to whom the photograph was shown thought the position of the hanging body too graceful and the face too composed for one having suffered the paius of death by strangulation, and prevailed on Mr. Conwell, our Postmaster to write to the Postmaster at Ada concerning tho affair. Mr. Conwell’s letter elicited the following reply: “Ada, Oct., 18th ’69. “Mr. G. B. Co.NWKM., Pear bir: “I read your letter of inquiry to the P. M. about myself. I would just say I atn all ‘hunkey’ and hope all Rensselaer is the same. I want you to do me a favor by saying nothing about it—but that I am dead. I have some business in Indiana and do not want them to know but that it is a reality nntil I come to your place. lam well and doing well. Keep cool. “Yours respectfully. (Signed,) “W.B. S. Henkle.”

The abstract of the assessment of Jasper county for the year ISB9, shows it to contain 341,552.24 acres ot real cst&te valued at $1,272,958. Upon this it is estimated there is $239,705 worth of improvements. — The value of town lots is $28,915, upon which is $76,173 of improve meats. The valuation of personal property is $848,786. The railroad assessment is $31,500. The total valuation of the county, in real estate, improvements and personal property, is $2,466,537. Tbe number ot polls is 992. The taxes levied upon the foregoing estimate for 1869 is as follows: For state, $4,294.07 ; school, $4,443.46; sinking fund, $2,466.51; county, $12,331.68; road, $3,796.02; township, $1,564.84; special school, $5,688.98; dog, $766; total for 1869, $35,352,40; delinquent taxes of 1868 aud previous years, $13,241.71; penalty and interest on delinquent taxes, $1,494.12; total amount of tuxes to be collected in 1869-70, $50,088.29.