Richmond Palladium (Daily), Volume 32, Number 170, 14 July 1907 — Page 1

rr MOM) A TTMrTTB 8 PAGES jJSUJL HJ 1VJL- today TODAY AISTO SUN-TELEGRAM, ,VOL. XXXII. NO. 1TO. RICII3IOND, LVD., SUNDAY 3IORXIXG, JULY 14, 11X17. SINCSLK COPY, 3 CENTS.

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LON FISHER MORTALLY SHOT

HIS WIFE IN FIT OF JEALOUSY

SENSATION CAUSED EIGHTH AND MAIN BV TRAGIC AFFAIR Shooting Took Place at an Hour When There Were . Many People on the Streets And a Panic Almost Ensued. FISHER WAS ARRESTED AND IS NOW IN JAIL. No Doubt But That the Crime Was Premeditated It Is Believed That Mrs. Fisher's Injuries Are Fatal. Lon Fisher, a young colored man about 23 years of age, who has a bad police record, mortally wounded his wife Saturday evening with a 38-cali-bre revolver as she was standing near the North Eighth street entrance of the Richmond Shoe company. The shooting took place in the midst of a large crowd of people and it almost caused a panic. Dy the side of Mrs. Fisher was a young white woman, carrying a baby. Her name is unknown. Mrs. Fisher fell after her husband had fired two shots Into her, one entering her abdomen on the left side and the other entering just about an inch and a half above this wound. Fired Into the Air. After shooting down his wife, Fisher gazed at her a second or two, then lifted his revolver and fired It into the air. This shot caused great confusion and people acattered in all directions. After firing this shot Fisher started to run North on North Kighth street and was pursued by Officer Will Lawler who was standing on the southwest corner of Eighth and Main streets when the shooting took place. Wien Fisher reached Sailor street ho turned east, flourishing his revolver to intimidate anyone who tried to pursue him. When Fisher reached the alley in the rear of the Jessup saloon he turned north. Officer lawler was close on his heels. When Fisher reached the rear of the Nicholson printery he turned his head to see who was following him. As he did so Lawler drew his gun on him and the murderer dropped, evidently thinking the officer Intended to shoot him. When Lawler reached his side Fisher surrendered without a struggle. The young colored man was then taken to the city jail. At police headquarters Fisher stated to Chief Bailey that he was glad he shot his wife. "I intended to kill her because she mistreated me," he remarked in an agitated manner. Woman Picked Up. After Mrs. Fisher had been shot she was picked up off the pavement by some men who rushed to her assistance. The dying woman was carried into the Richmond Shoe company store and was kept there until the arrival of the ambulance. When she was carried out of the store to the ambulance a crowd of about five hundred men. women and children shoved and pushed about the doorway In an effort to see the victim of Fisher's murderous attack. A lane through the crowd had to be cleared before the woman could be placed In the ambulance. She was at once taken to the Reid Memorial hospital and placed on the operating table where the bullets were probed fo.. An attache of the hospital states that Mrs. Fisher is almost certain to die. Luken's Story. Robert Luken wp standing on the corner of Eighth and Main streets when the shooting took place. He states that he saw Fisher approach his wife and without a word grab her with his left hand by the shoulder, then place the muzzle close to her body and begin to shoot. He states that Fisher fired twice, saw his wife drop to the pavement, then shoot up in the air. After doing this Luken states. Fisher took to his heels. Another spectator to the murderous assault states that the young colored raaj grabbed his wife and that she made a desperate effort to release herself from his hold. She screamed loudly but they were interrupted by the barks of the revolver. He states that the report of the revolver caused panic and people ran in all directions. A baby cab was upset and the infant thrown to the sidewalk. Several other people were knocked down. The shooting of the defenseless woman in the midst of the big Saturday night crowd caused the greatest indignation and for a time last evening threats of storming the city jail and capturing the negro were heard. However, no such attempt was made. Shooting Premeditated. Fisher's attempt to murder his wife was premeditated, beyond all question pi doubt, as he has on several lnstan -

ces declared himself on the subject to other persons. Sheriff Linus Meredith said to the Palladium recently, that Fisher wa3 reported to have been chasing his wife over the city in the attempt to shoot her. Meredith at the time did not take any stock in these reports. He said however, that during Fisher's stay in the county

jail, to which ne had been sent for insuiting a white woman, he had told the prisoners that his wife had mistreated him and he intended to avenge himself for her actions. This statement was not onlv made once but several times. The prisoners did not take Fisher seriously, they supposing that he had some little petty grudge against her. On one instance Fisher's feeling toward his wife was brought out forcibly. She went to the jail and in the endeavor to reconcile him to his position and confinement, he burst out in a tirade and using all manner of abusing term3 and calling her names. The prisoners then saw that there was much ill feeling between Fisher and his wife but never supposed, it is said, that he would carry out hi3 threats as he did last night at the corner of Eighth and Main streets. Since he was released from jail, July 7, having served a five months' term for insulting the white women, it is said he has been constantly "laying" for his wife that he might do her bodily injury. Was Drinking Heavily. Saturday night he was drinking heavily according to those who had seen him. Will Thomas, a colored young man, was in the Wayne Supply company's store on Main street near Fifth when Fisher came into the store and immediately began to tell of his domestic relations. Luther Moore who happened into the store stated that Fisher said, "Well, Will I am going out of town tonight and no one can say that I did my wife any dirt." According to Moore's statement Fisher talked for a short time and then left he Supply company's place of business. Fisher was at that time, accord ing to Moore, "well tanked" and not in the full possession of his senses. That was about eight thirty and it is supposed he immediately set out to hunt his wife who generally came to the business porfions of the city each Saturday night." Fisher knew this and it is thought he consequently laid his plans to kill his wife, as he had threatened to do time and time again in the past few months, and then make his "getaway" on the interurban car for the east. The time of the shooting would indicate that he aimed to do the deed and then seek refuge in some portion of the city along the street car lines until he might catch the interurban car out of the city; get into Ohio and consequently be comparatively safe from capture for a short time at least. Cause of Shooting. From the colored people who knew of the Fishers and their domestic troubles, it was learned that Mrs. Fisher, during Lon's confinement in jail, had been associating with other colored men and it was for this reason that Fisher had decided to end her life. Fisher, it is said, was told of this during his confinement in jail, and he became furious. Fisher a Bad Man. Fisher is considered by the police as one of the worst local crimfy'als with which they have had to deal for some time. His record is bad. Some months ago indignation against him. aroused by him Insulting a white woman at the corner of Eighth and Main streets, was great, and there were rumblings of vio lence in the distance. Fisher is a man whom the police think would do murder or anything else. Officer Lawler, who captured the man, was the recipient of showers of congratula tions from the several hundred people who had assembled at Eighth and Main streets and knew the particulars of the shooting Fisher has resided in Richmond about two years, since he was mustered out of the United States navy marine corps, having served three years in the Phillippines. He, since his stay in Richmond ,has been an ever source of trouble. During his confinement in the county bastile recently his mother made an attempt to secure his pardon through Governor Hanljy and even President Roosevelt, but her efforts were unavailing. H0LLYW000JS PLEASED Grand Master of Odd Fellows Returns Home. R. II. Hollywood, past grand master of the Odd Fellows in Indiana, who has been in Richmond for the past week in the interests of the Talisman, the Odd Fellows' publication, will leave for his home in Indianapoolis today. His work here has been very successful and he Is favorably impressed with Richmond and her I. O. O. F. lodges. M. E. CHURCH IMPROVED. Fountain City Structure Will dedicated, July 21. Be ReFountain City, Ind.. July 13 The Methodist congregation has been extensively repairing their church and will dedicate it on Sunday, July. 21.

SCHOEPF LINES ABE HOT AFFECTED BY IT Opinion of the Attorney General of Ohio.

AS TO HOLDING COMPANIES. W. Kesley Schoepf, president of the Cincinnati Traction company, the Ohio Traction company, the Cincinnati Northern traction company and other Do lan-Morgan-Schoepf syndicate proper j tJe3 in 0hio, states that none of the corporations in which he is interested is affected by the opinion of the Attorney-General of Ohioi that holding companies are illegal. "We have formed a number of corporations in Ohio." he said, "but none coaie under the head of "holding companies,' as described by the AttorneyGeneral. In the cases of the Cincinnati Traction company, the Ohio Traction company, the Cincinnati Northern and in many others the corporations are leasing companies, and operate the property acquired by virtue of these leases. Thi3 taking over of one corporation by another, or rather the amalgamation of small individual properties into one unit is necessary in the creation of a system. There is hardly a railroad company in the country but what consists of groups of such smaller properties. We are clearly within the law. Insofar as our companies and properties are concerned." J. P. MORGAN HOT PAYING 12 PER CENT New York Financier Appears As Witness in the London Police Court. REPUDIATES MRS. LESLIE. WOMAN IS ACCUSER OF RAIS ING $42,500 ON LETTER WHICH SHE SAID HAD BEEN WRITTEN BY MORGAN. London, July 13 J. Tierpont Morgan appeared in the West London Police Court today as a witness in the case of Mrs. Josephine Leslie, who was arrested at Newmarket, July 4, charged with defrauding members of well-known families by false pretenses and who represented herself to be a friend of Mr. Morgan. The latter re pudiated all knowledge of Mrs. Leslie. He said he did not write to her ad vising her to join one of his syndicates and never invited Mrs. Leslie, as al leged, to dine at his son's house. As a matter of fact, Mr. Morgan added, he was in New York at the time of the alleged invitation. On cross-examination Mr. Morgan said he did not remember any invitation being sent to George Easterlick, the prisoner's father, for a public dinner which Mr. Morgan gave in New York. Mr. Morgan was sure that his firm had no customer of that name, and he said it was improbable that any of his business friends would speak of investments returning 12 per cent., which Mrs. Leslie said was to be the interest on money invested in the alleged Morgan syndicate. "I do not know many of that character," said Mr. Morgan, in conclusion. After the plaintiff. Miss Annie Blount, had testified briefly that she was induced to give Mrs. Leslie $42,500 on the strength of letters purporting to have been written by Mr. Morgan, promising huge returns, the case was adjourned. SUES PENNSYLVANIA FOR $2100 DAMAGES Chester Coppock Was Injured And Humiliated, He Said. CAUSED TO LOSE HIS GIRL. Chester Coppock. formerly in the employ of the Pennsylvania railroad company at Kokomo, but now of Elwood, has brought suit against the company for damages in the sum cf ."?2,iO for injuries and humiliation said to have been received at the hands of the company's agents. Coppock alleges that June (. llXxi. he was seated in one of the passenger trains of the company on the Richmond division, bound for Hamilton. Ohio. While the train was passing through Elwood he seated himself with a young woman to whom he had been paying ardent court, and in whose eyes he was desirous of making the best impression. While talking with her, he alleges, a detective oi the company . nameu Burns attacked him and threw him off the train. He believes ?2.txt wouid square the company for the indignity, although he admits having lost the girl The action is brought in the circuit 'court of Madison count-

TALENT FDR LOCAL CHAUTAUQUA VERY HIGHLY SPOKEN OF

Notice Issued by the Association Gives Various Speakers Splendid Reputations as Entertainers. : SENATOR BOB TAYLOR IS ONE OF THE BEST. Governor Henry A. Buchtel, The Preacher-Governor, Is The First of His Kind Since President Garfield The Chautauqua announcement has the following to say of the talent secured for Richmond: Senator Taylor is probably the most entertaining lecturer in the country. His lecture "The Fiddle and the Bow," has been known for years as the most delightful entertainment on the American platform. Sen. Taylor has been Governor of Tennessee three times and during the last year was elected U. S. senator from that state. Gov. Henry Buchtel of Colorado is so well known to Richmond that little need be said about him. However it might be well to mention that he is president of Denver University. The Republican leaders of Colorado came to him in desperation and told him that he was the only man they could nominate and defeat Judge Lindsey, nominated by the democrats. On the condition that he might retain the presidency of Denver University, although governor, he consented to run and made the most tremendous whirlwind campaign ever known In Colo rado and was elected governor. A preacher-governor Is an interesting thing in American politics and has not been known since the time of President Garfield. Mr. Lou Beauchamp has been known - as one of the most popular lecturers on the American Lyceum. A popular lecture usually contains plenty of humor and good advice. Mr. Beauchamp is a master hand at this combination. His two lectures will be both instructive and entertaining in the highest degree. Is a Great Orator. Dr. Wm. A. Quayle of St. James church, Chicago is known as one of the greatest orators in the country and is also one of the leading literary men. His books "In God's great Out-of-doors" and "The Poet's Post" have had large sales. Dr. Quayles "King I-ear," on Friday night. August 30, is one of the highest quality lectures of the course. Judge Willis Brown of the Juvenile court of Salt Lake City, Utah. wi:i give the main address the second Sun day, September 1. Judge Brown Is doing the same sort of work that (Continued on Page Four.) HAT FACTORY STAYS FORM PRESENT New Owners Intend to Open It In Two Weeks. BUYING NEW MACHINERY. Representatives of the Wabash firm which purchased the Richmond hat factory at receiver's sale some time ago. were in Richmond Saturday taking an invoice of the stock. They stated while here that they were taking the inventory preparatory to making atrip to the east, where much ad ded equipment would be secured and placed in the local factory for its opening in two weeks. They stated that the factory would be opened in full blast and that the new owners did not intend to leave Richmond, for the present at least. The factory rooms are being thoroughly cleaned and overhauled that everything may be in spick and span condition when the new concern begins business. THE WEATHER PROPHET. INDIANA Sunday fair. OHIO Sunday fair. CIRCULATION STATEMENT. SATURDAY (July 13) Total Circulation Net Circulation 6,659 6,454 LARGEST CITY CIRCULATION. LARGEST COUNTY CIRCULATION. LARGEST RURAL ROUTE CIRCULATION. LARGEST PAID CIRCULATION.

FIREMAN MISSING FROM HIS HOME

Employe of the Chicago, Cincinnati & Louisville Has Disappeared. WIFE IS BADLY WORRIED. NOTHING HAS EEEN SEEN OF LEWIS LENTZ SINCE JUNE 20, WHEN HE WAS ON HIS WAY HOME. Peru, Ind.. July 13. With his wife and the C. C. & L. officials in the city the neighbors and friends of Lewis Lentz, a C, C. & L. fireman, are greatly worried over his strange disappearance from his home here June 17, leaving a heart-broken wife with five small children to worry over his absence. Some time in the early part of Jure Mr. Lentz, who, as mentioned. Is a C, C. & L. passenger fireman, became overheated while running between this city and Cincinnati, and he was taken to Cincinnati for medical treatment. He returned home the nlxt day and for some time afterward remained at home where he received treatment. June 17th he went to Cincinnati to get some medicine and as the road at that point was short of help he sent word to his wife that he wonld work as night hostler for a while, thinking that the change of work would benefit him. Three days later he quit Cincinnati, and told Foreman Boynton, who had hired him, that he was going back home to take his old position. He left and arrived in this city June 20th. He was seen after he arrived here by Brakeman Whipple, of the C, C. & L., which was the, last seen of him since he told that gentleman that he was bound for his home at 31fi west Canal street. He never . reached his destina tion. The question which is puzzling his friends, his family and the C, C. & L. men. is where can he be? The gen eral opinion is that an ovfVieating again had perhaps upset his mind and that he has wandered away, or possibly that he has met with foul play. HARRIMAII SCORED' IN SEVERE TERMS BY THEIR REPORT Interstate Commerce Commission Says Harriman and Associates Violated Federal Law and State Constitution SITUATION THREATENS THE LIFE OF TRADE. Commission Says Railroad Securities Must Be Made Safe And Conservative Investment for Public. New York, July 13 Declaring that E. H. Harriman and his associates have violated the federal law and the constitution of nearly every state through which their railroads pass in acquiring control of parallel lines and eliminating competition, the Interstate Commerce Commission, In its report on combination of carriers, made public today, finds the following: That if Harriman's controlling of stocks in comopeting lines continues, it means suppression of competition. That railroads should not be permitted to invest generally In stocks, bonds and securities of other railroads, and steamship companies ex cept for the purpose of forming through routes by connecting lines. That the surplus funds of a railroad should be used. for betterment of the lines and development of the country contiguous to it. That railroad securities must be made a safe and conservative investment for people. That owning by one railroad of stock in a competing line should not be per mitted. Says Is Political Attack. New York, Jul- 13 Being apprised late this evening that the Interstate commerce commission had finished its inquiry into his railroad operations and that newspapers had been supplied with advance copies of the decision, Mr. Harriman asserted that the whole plan was a political attack on him. He declared that tho report throughout is a mass of erroneous statements and said he intended to make a great fight. The report, which criticises nearly every one of the Harriman railroad methods, makes no comment on the advisability of punishment for him, but copies have been Eent to President Roosevelt and .the department of justice which could act' either criminally or civilly if it find3

Justification, in the report. i

ACCIDENT REFALLS AUTOMOBILE PARTY Robert Stimson's Machine Wrecked and the Owner Injured."

INTO A TELEGRAPH-POLE. S. S. STRATTAN, JR., AND' JOHN Y. POUNDSTONE, HIS COMPANIONS, WERE BUT SLIGHTLY HURT. 1 While bowling along, southward on West Fifth street at a merry clip in his large Winton car, Robert. W. Stimso:i, had a narrow escape from serious injury Saturday afternoon: John Y. Poundstone and S. 8. Strattan, Jr., who accompanied Mr. Stlmson were s'ightly bruised, while Mr. Stlmson was teverely cut about the face and leg?. The machine struck a number of boulders near the Peacock rood, end the big car made a 1 an ,:; directly toward a telegraph pole, which it struck with terrific force. The right " V. ' ', : 7 ' ! "--?': . u i n 4 v. . ,.kl... i . a i broken and the bonnet crushe.' wu.ie wie uiree i.iv.i hujuun.ni wi middle of the road, rubbing their 1. 1 1 . ii 41 ! . . j ; . . happened. Stlmson was thrown o.it ' with more force than either of the other men. and struck against a i a t jf t .

uarueu w.re .pocb cuiudr n.s lace, j nmny partook of one cf the famous piclimbs and hands. jnlc djnners that are so common at theStrattan, who was sitting in the gummer meetings of the Foclet v.

back seat, was hoisted out of the machine by the jar of its contact with the unyielding pole. He ascended high In the air and then dropped to the road, alighting on the back of his shoulders. It was feared at first that he had broken his neck and his two companions rushed to his side. Strattan, however, after dozing a few minutes, arose and stated that he was a little dismantled but still seaworthy. A laughable Incident of this neartragedy occurred just after the machine smashed Into the pole. One of the rear tires exploded and a gang of men repairing the road thought the gasoline tank had gone up Into smoke, consequently they took to their heels and scattered to the four points of the compass. Saturday evening about 8:30 o'clock the machine was towed east on' Main street by a hay wagon to the garage. The unusual sight attracted the attention of the big crowd on the street. LOOCK & HILL WERE GIVEN GOOD CONTRACT Will Build the New Cottages At Easthaven. TO COST ABOUT $56,000. Louck and Hill, local contractors, have been awarded the contract for the construction of the new cottages at Easthaven, which will cost In the neighborhood of $36,000. One of the cottages will be for men and one for women and will be used more as Infirmaries than regular abodes. There Is a hospital for the sick at the pres ent time but none for the infirm sick. e the new cottages are being and hence the new cottages are being built. There are many features of the new buildings which are innovations in hospital construction. Architect Hasecoster of this city drew the plans JOHN MAAGA DELEGATE He Will Go to Letter Carriers' Convention. John Maag, a carrier in the local postoffice has been elected a delegate to the National Letter Carriers' convention, which will be held In Can ton, Ohio, beginning Labor day. The local branch of the association seldom sends more than one delegate to a national convention. GREENFIELD GIVES IT UP. There Will be no Chautauqua Given at That Place. So little interest was shown that the directors and some of the stock holders of Greenfield Chautauqua association held a meeting a few nights since and decided to abandon the summer Chautauqua this summer. REV. WESTHAFER EVANGELIST. CentervLle, Ind., July 13. Rev. E. B. Westhafer, who has been at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Green, has returned to his work la the Muncie district of the M. E. church. He Is district evangelist. Lemon Club's Squeeze. Fountain City. Ind., July 13. The Lemon club had a squeeze Monday evening at the park.

JULY MEETING OF HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY ONSATUROAY Reports Made at That Time Indicate That the Farmers Have Very Little to Complain of Just at This Time. WHEAT CROP BETTER THAN WAS EXPECTED,

Corn and Oats Are Also of a Promising Nature-Mrs. Virginia C. Meredith Made an lX 1 I JJ interesting Auaress. (By Walter Ratllff.) Another meeting of the Waynw County Agricultural and Horticultural society has been held. This, the July neetlng, was held at the home of thesecretary, Walter Ratllff, North West;

,j'i.iii nuu miiiNji sirefis, ctaiuraay. ie s nslng nr. cl! day affair, many of our city I . , ;?ruets too. advantage of the street cap

Fifth and School streets. Saturday. Be. jneB and arrIved bpfor(? ,hose from ,nft - ocunlry oouhl reacn the point b othrp l means of conveyatH-e, so that by noon 'many guets were present to hel 'spread the two large tables that had? ! been prepared for the occasion and Following the meal, (several of the city people took occasion to no to the. wheat field nearby and wr.tch the har vesting machines. They also In spected the fruit bearing frees, the surroundings of the secretary's home, s that by two o'clock they were ready for the afternoon session of the society This was called to order by the president, Isaac Dougan, who dispensed with some of the preliminary work, and called for the committees' reports. Little to Complain Of. From the reports given by Caleb King. Frank Clark, W. II. Lowe, the president, and others, It was shown! that the farmers at this time have very little to complain of. The wheat crophas been far better than expected; and the yield In bushels will be mate rially larger than former estimates. The quality of the grain Is equal to that of former years, and farmers are expecting already to secure not let than ninety cents a bushel, as soon as It comes from the threshing machines. Although corn Is backward and very uneven In helghth, the recent rains have given it an impetus and with a favorable fall there will be an average crop of this kind. Oats that were thought to have beem affected by the "green bug" are now. heading, and the number of bushels this year. will be equal, If not greater than the total yield of last year. Con siderable speculation was Indulged In by the members of he society as to the cause of the brown condition of the blades of the oats plant. Manythought that It was the "green bug" that had been the cause of this trouble. but upon examination It' has been: found to be more of a fungoid or fun gus growth, within the cell walls ot the plant Itself. Grass Grows Well. There have been but very few years of late, when the young grass has made better growth than at the present time w, luc "ir'lu"u J1 , imthy niany localities will ...fi . I . i - a i nave to be resown. Under the subject of fruits, Nathan Garwood made the chief report. He said that the early spring was most favorable for an abundance of all kinds of fruit, but the late frosts and. freezes were so severe as to have virtually caused an almost entire loss from fruit bearing trees. It Is not expected since so many of the appies and peaches have fallen, that' these fruits will be much over tea or fifteen per cent of an average crop, the evil conditions not only being found among the summer varieties' but those of the later sorts as well. There Are Few Pears. But few pears are to be found oa any of the trees at present, while the plums are almost all gone, except the Damson variety which seems to' have withstood the effects of the weather and resisted the attacks of curculio. Among the small fruits the' strawberry was not a full crop, owing; to Its lateness in coming into bearing and the short period of Its riienlng. Among the grape growers there seems to be quite a difference in the prospect for fine grapes. Trellises seem to have exposed the tender branches too much to the cold winds and many grape growers will have but very few bunches. Enough however, will be grown In this country to satisfy all those who are lovers of this kind of fruit. An Idea was advanced by one of the members that it might be due to too much electricity In the air for the proper development of the frnlts and the growing of crops, as daring such years where same conditions existed a more or less failure was found In the yields of both. The best loaded rruit trees In this immediate locality are found on Mr. Clark's farm near New Paris, O where not only plumbs but apples are found In great abundance, which is y

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