Richmond Palladium (Daily), Volume 33, Number 87, 12 May 1908 — Page 1

PAXLADIUM -4 M AND SUN-TELEGRAM. VOL. XXXIII. NO. ST. KIC1I3IOND, IND., TUMSDAV EVENING, MAY V, l!M)S. .SlXil.i: COPY. ' CENTS. CORPSE FOUND IN RUINS IS THAI VERDICT AGAINST JOHN 0. VAUGHAN MOST STAND NOW WAS NOT EXPECTED PUBLIC CONTROL MURDER FARM OF THE WIDOW GUNNESS IS HOT FAIR IB THE TAXPAYER That to Abolish Life Tenure in Episcopal Church Introduced at Baltimore. OF THE

RICHMONB

BORGIA

Fings Found in a Hunk of Flesh Identified as Those of Mrs. Gunness and Ail Say Woman Is Dead.

LAMPHERE'S FATHER WILL ASSIST HIM. Has Arrived at Laporte and Will Do Everything He Can For Son Who It Is Said, Will Be Convicted. Laporte, Ind., May 12. Identification of Mrs. Gunness' corpse is about finished, due to the finding of three Jrlngs. Close to the remains in the (morgue, a chunk of badly charred flesh fwhich was broken into pieces disclosed the fact that it was a portion of a liu5nan hand. The fingers tightly clutched contained rings, one of which appeared to be a wedding ring, and another a plain gold hand, and the third d diamond ring. They are now in Hie possession of Coroner Mack who iclalms that persons familiar with them &ave Identified them as those worn by pirs. Gunness. It appears to be the belief of the majority of people in I-a-morte that the woman died in the fire twhich ruined her home. Laporte, Ind., May 11.. A complete solution of the mysteries of the GunaieBS farm is expetced within 4S hours. final atep will be taken either to!lay or tomorrow by the men who Ibave brought the investigation of the iiorror to its culmination, and with it is promised an answer to all the questions which have arrayed themselves before the public during the past flweek. The exact nature of the action is riot disclosed, but from an authoritaNive source it has been learned that the cMmax of the great case is at hand. ' The inquiry, which has been carried yon almost entirely in secret, has been pronounced successful, and men who jiAve directed it wear smiles of elation jB the end appears in sight. Each of them is discreet in his utterances, but there is not one to whom the secret has been disclosed who -does not admit that the clouds of Htlotibt are to be dispelled. There is satisfaction expressed in the attitude . rf every man upon whose shoulders Jested the responsibility for placing 'the culpability behind at least 14 Vteaths. Four of these are crossed from the "list by absolute certainty that Ray 1-amphere, the prisoner in the county jail, set fire to the home of Mrs. Helle Gunness on the morning of April 2S jnnd thereby caused the death of the l"wldow and the four children. Indictments to be Sought. i For this he is liable, tinder the peiculiar provisions of the Indiana state llaws, to conviction for murder in the first degree as well as lor arson. Indictments against him upon both 1 these charges will be asked of the grand jury, which met in its first session yesterday, but will not reach his case before Wednesday. As to the crucial movement, which in itself will reveal the manner of r death of the 10 murdered persons ' 'Whose bodies were guarded by closely woven wire netting, the silence of The officers of the law in response to Queries as to the arrest of one or more accomplices provides the only answer. It is certain that they came to their death through the use of poison. The administration of a deadly amount of chrloral has been proved. The places at which the drug was purchased in The past eight years have been found. The inanimate corpses were dismembered either in a 'chamber of horrors" on the second floor of the Gunness home or in the basement. Two knives, one a six-inch dagger, and the other a needlepoimed double razoredged surgeons knife, are in their possession. That the big. stolid Norwegian woman enticed some of the men into her lair by the bait of matrimonial advertisements and there had an active hand In killing them and disposing of their bodies is established without question by those expected to answer the riddle. Remaining Question. The one remaining question. '"Whether or not she had assistance in her crimes?" is to be met by the action that is expected almost hourly. The arrival at this point has been preceded by a hunt for details, only rumors of which have been given to the public. Here and there bits of evidence have leaked our, but the great srray of facts, it is s:id. was secured from statements made by Ray Lampl ( re. the former hired man who blackmailed the Gunness woman through the possession of knowledge concerning her dark secrets. lie has not been sweated" at any Time. No attempt at the "third degree" has been made, but it is from his utterance that the chain of testimony has been forged. The chief again in securinc the eonfidence of the prisoner has been a minister. Rev. K. A. Schell. pastor of (.Continued on Page Seven.) i

' 'j' , 1 - i0- .. . , 1ifrL"i m

RUINS OF THE BL'UNEU HUME, FLAT OF THE GARDEN AND

OLD CELEBRATION IS There Will Be No Wernle Day This Year, Says the Rev. Feeger. IMPROVEMENTS INTERFERE ANNOUNCEMENT COMES AS A, DISAPPOINTMENT TO THE MANY CHILDREN AT WERNLE HOME, WHO ENJOYED THE OCCASIONS. "Wernle Day" will not be observed this year for the first time in over twenty-five years. This announcement was made this morning by the Rev. A. J. Feeger, pastor of the St. John's Lutheran church and one of the trustees of Wernle Home. The Rev. Mr. Feeger stated that it was found necessary this year to postpone the annual oVe:vaiv.o of Wernle Home Day, which has so long been associated with the history of Richmond, because of the generally "torn up" condition of the place, occasioned by the improvements now being made. Another reason why Wernle Day will not be observed is because the institution lias no house father. The trustees of the home recently offered this position to F. F. Gahre of Glenville, Neb., but he has not yet accepted the offer. It is thought, however, that he will decide to accept it. Every year it has been the custom to observe Wernle Day in the most enthusiastic manner. It was generally the first Sunday in June. On this day all the railroads and traction lines entering the city brought in hundreds of people from all over this part of the country. The C. ( & L. run special trains from this city to the grounds and every hack in the citywas placed in coYnniission to assist in transporting the crowds to the Home. Hundreds of people were served meals on the grounds ami the programs were always one of great interest. The little orphans at the home always looked forward to this event with the keenest anticipation. It was the "biggest" day of the year for them. When the childt en were told that there would be no Wernle Day this year, they were the most, disappointed young people in Wayne county. The work on the construction of the new dormitory will not be started until the building fund has been entirely raised. The Rev. Mr. Feeger stated that it was desired to raise $:;. nun for the construction of this building and lie said that he thought, this amount would be secured within six or eight weeks. TORNADO DOES GREAT DAMAGE IN ILLINOIS One Aged Woman Killed in Her Home. Rock Island. III.. May 1Z. Great damage from a tornado was done at midnight in this ieinity. At Cloveland. Illinois. Mrs. Elizabeth Gotch. aged seventy-eight, was killed in the ruins of her wrecked home. Five business blocks, many residences were wrecked. A score were injured in Mercer and Henrv counties. EVERYBOBDY TO WORK. All the men and boys who reside in Wos' Richmond are requested to meet at the river banks tomorrow afterniKui at :i.r!0 o'clock. Each one is requested to bring a hoe. rake, shovel, or any implement which might be needed to remove all trash from the banks. HUGHES NOT WILLING. New York May 12 Governor Hughes in a letter to the Hughes league says he will not accept the vice-presidency.

DISCONTINUED

MULE WRECKS TRA

Pennsylvania Freight Hurled In Cornfield and Engineer Is Killed. TWO WERE BADLY INJURED. Columbus. Ind.. May A mule en the track wrecked the second section of a Pennsvlvania freight train not t hbound early today at Way m -v i He. The j engine and four cars jumped the track i ; nd landed in a cornfield. Kngineer j William McGregor of Jefferson villc. I was instantlv killed. Fireman K. J. Koss ot .letiersonville ami a man named S. I. Petticrew of Ijouisville, was badly hurl and are in the hospital. PENNSYLVANIA GETS VALUABLE LANDS Is Adjacent to Its Property in Northeast Part of the City. MEANS DOUBLE TRACKS. THOUGHT THAT PENNSYLVANIA INTENDS TO CONTINUE POLICY OF IMPROVEMENTS BETWEEN PITTSBURG AND ST. LOUIS. More land adjacent to its tracks has been acquired in this city by an agent for the Pennsylvania railroad company. This is believed to !- in the interest of the double tracking project, of the company. Announcement was made in the Wayne circuit court this morning that the ground on which is located the buildings of the Richmond City Mill Works has been sold to the Granite Improvement company of Pittsburg, Pa. This company acts as the agent for the railroad company in the purchase of real estate. The sale price is reported at $i:!.T"0. This is j considered 1 good sale by those ac quainted with values of property located in the northern portion of the city. The Mill Works property lies between the tracks of the p. C. C. & St. I j. railroad company and North F street. Sixteenth and Eighteenth streets. The railroad company acquired a large tract of ground east of the north side of the right of way and recently a narrow strip of land was purchased from the city. The latter strip lies .adjacent to the tracks on the south side and north of the lake at Glen Miller park. It is the intention of the Pennsylvania to double track its system between Pittsburg and Sr. Louis and territory is being acquired throughout the entire distance. Tracks have been laid as far west as I'rbana and the work is being continued this summer. THREATENING BLAZE. The fire department mart a quick run to 121 South Ninth street this afternoon. A smalMdaze had originated in a barn in the rear of the home of S. D. Graham. The flames were extinguished by use of the Rahcocks. There is a row of old frame structures in this square and had headway been gained, a serious conflagration would have resulted. TILLMAN IS ILL. Washington. D. C, May 12. Benjamin Tillman of Somh Carolina, is sick. He nas entered the healthoriuni j and strict orders have been given to exclude everybody. He suffers from ; a nervous breakdown. THE WEATHER PROPHET. INDIANA Wednesday showers, fresh to brisk southwest winds. OHIO Wednesday fair, hiflh shifting winds.

THE OUTBUILd-NCd.

NEW TRIAL FOR BOLIN IS ASKED Attorney for Convicted of Assault Says Affidavit Is Faulty. IS UNDER ADVISEMENT. COURT HOLDS THAT ONE OF THE OBJECTIONS REGISTERED IS NOT MATERIAL ARGUMENTS PRESENTED BY DEFENSE. After failing in his attempt yesterday to quash the indictment against Sterling liolin, colored, charging him with assault and battery and intent to commit murder, attorney John F. Robbins moved this morning to arrest judgment. The motion was overruled. Theie upon Robbins moved for a new trial on the grounds the judgment was contrary to the evidence, contrary to law and contrary to fact. Authorities were ciied and the motion was taken under advisement. The affidavit charged Pol in with assault and battery and intent to kill "one Arch llindman." Mr. Jlohhins contends Hindman's name is Archibald and that the affidavit upon which I'.olin was convicted was faulty in this respect. On the witness stand Mr. llindman testified his name is Archibald Knode llindman. "I always go by the name Arch and always sign it. that way," said the witness. Mr. Robbins contests that inasmuch as the man's name is Archibald, the affidavit should so state in order to be valid. He holds that, affidavit to lie at fault in another particular. He claims the affidavit reads to the effect Rolin struck Hindman with "some instrument to the affiant unknown" and committed an assault and battery. It is held by Mr. Robbins the affidavit should read that llindman was wounded by the instrument. This would make it read: "Did then and there strike the affiant with some instrument, to him unknown and thereby did injured him. He contends the word thereby being omitted proy s a serious error. The court hefds this point is not. material. RAPIDLY !l Contractors Building Sewer System Are Forcing Construction Work. VIADUCT BEING BUILT. Nearly all the work connected with the blasting and excavating for the first section of the big Northwest Second street sewer system has been completed. It is expected that within the next two weeks the constructing firm. Hipskind & Son. will be readyto start on the final work connected with the building of this section of the big 5nwer system. As soon a the work on this section of the sewer is completed a Columbus, Ind.. contracting firm will begin work on the second section. It is expected that this section will be even more difficult to construct than the first section was. owing to the fact that nearly the entire sewer route is through a deep stratta of stone. The Pennsylvania railroad company is now engaged on the work of constructing the Northwest Second street viaduct and it is expected that this work wiil be completed about the same time as the work on the second section of the sewer system. Northwest Second street will be improved and sidewalks will be made. It is expected that when all the improvements are completed the entire cost of the work will be between $15,000 and

WORKING

Judge Henry C. Fox Holds That There Is No Grounds

. . i Baltimore. Md . M.tv i- An For Rehearing the Case inhered reoiutiom,ry pn.iM.MUon to

Circuit Court. APPEAL TO HIGHER COURT IS LIKELY. j judge claims That He Did Not Err in Instructing the Jury I As Was Allerjed by the De-! fense. As had been anticipated. Judge H. C. Fox of the Wayne circuit eourt this morning, overruled the motion of the counsel for the defense for a new trial in the celebrated Smith-Vaughan case. After his ruling had been announced, the court entered into an explanation. T. J. Study, chief counsel for John I). Vaughan. the defendant, asked for ninety days in which to prepare a motion of appeal and filing bond. Edward Vaughan, brother of the defend ant, was offered as security for a bond of .Sl.ooo. The case will be carried to the Appellate or Supreme courts, according to the desire of the defense. The Smit h-Vaughan case developed from an alleged breach of promise to marry Susan J. Smith by John I). Vaughan. the well known local resident. Mrs. Smith brought suit for $101 1,0m and was awarded a verdict of .'',." by a jury in the circuit court, the litigation has continued ever since on the motion for a new trial. The motion for a new trial was based on the grounds the verdict was not in accord with the evidence and that the court erred in instructing the jury and permitting a number of items to be recorded us evidence. The bone of contention was based upon the fact the attorneys for the plaintiff were permitted to amend their complaint after the trial had been in progress for a week. The complaint was made to correspond with the evidence. The original complaint it was averred, failed to claim any promise of marriage made by the defense subsequent, to l'.tol. The amended complaint included an alleged promise made in June, l'.tOtj. This latter promise included arrangements for the marriage to take place the following October. This latter promise was the only one that, had any bearing on the case. Evidence showed the first promise provided the marriage should take place-three y ears after the death of Mr. Vaughan's first wife. This contract was not put in writing and a verbal contract to marry is void after one year. In reciting the merits of the case. Judge Fox said: "The subject, of action wius the promise made to marry and there is no doubt in my mind but that the existence of such a contract was established by a fair preponderance of evidence. This the defendant denied, but that of the plaintiff stands against his statements and the plaintiff had witnesses none of whom was impeached. The statute of frauds is involved in this affair. The first promise to marry could have been no basis as a cause for action. If there had been no subsequent promise there would have been no point to the case. The most of ihe points raised by the counsel for the defense in his motion are hypothetical. All tend to the same end. I think my instructions to the jury covered the case fairly and squarely and there was no error made there. My charges to the jury were on the law and I did not assume any hypothetical questions. I regard this as a dangerous practice. "There was a close question and that is what put the case under the statute of frauds. I believed there was a conflict in the evidence and some point arose, but I thought this matter ought to be left to the jury to determine, as it was a question of fart and proper to bp considered. The question of doubt was submitted to the jury for decision. The jury found there was an abandonment of the first contract and a new one involved. I would have permitted the testimony about the first contract even if it had not been presented as it was. as it was a part of the history of the case.'' OFF TO EUROPE. The Rev. John C. Rager and Mr. Frank Rager will sail from New York Saturday afternoon. May K for Naples. They will spend about three months travel at the most important points of Europe. SHOT AND KILLED. Chicago. HI.. May 12. Henry Frawley. aged eighteen, was accidentally shot and killed by John Helfel. an employe of a bakery, when the latter pretended a holdup as a joke.

The Telephone is a Wining servant to bring your Classified Ads to the Palladium office with the least bother to you. Either Phcne 1 12! Automatic, 21 Old.

CONFERENCE IS SURPRISED.

lanoiisn Site tenure m the Ktescopa. jihunh was pre:-er.ted to the geneial conference by delegates Schneit and Ca rpen; er, : eprc-ent inn the N;t hwe: Indiana confercm c. It was ret, md to a commi'tee. The aition i smptomatic of the restlessness in the eoi. ference and church over the election of new bishops and Kpiscop.il governr;;;; f ;:;;i,H!::n,,fi:;:i;;1 ba, " "u ,"!,n lhlP "a;-,,'n,I",l;i,i:v checked by the reteretue to LLc tornnut tee. F MUCH DISMAYED Asserted That Indiana Man Will Withdraw From Presidential Race Within the Next Week. TRUSTY SUPPORTERS DO NOT THINK SO AT ALL Are Scouring the Country and Their Reports are Favorable Candidacy Not Ready for Embalming Board. Indianapolis. Ind., May l:.'. The pub lication of a report that Vice President Fairbanks will withdraw from the presidential race within the next week caused no end of dismay among his lieutenants and much talk among tin party workers. It was reported that the Vice President sees the hand writing of defeat on the wall and that he will not have hi.name presented at Chicago. Inas much as he has become a candidal! without making a formal public announcement to that effect, it was said that he would make his exit just as noiselessly : The vice president's. lieutenants here have received no intimation that would indicate that he is going to withdraw, and they do not believe that he will. On the contrary, they are going ahead with their plans just as if they expect, to cut a wide swath at Chicago. There is much talk anions; party leaders here to the effect that the race is all over in Secretary Taft's favor, but the shouting, but the standi Fairbanks men refuse to concede that tru-ii candidate is entirely out of the running. They say that any report that his name will not be presented is wholly unauthorized and without foundation. It is stated here that, the vice president at this time has a. number of trusty lieutenants on the road who are sending some very encouraging reports to his headquarters, which gives his managers hope that thexe. may come a time during the convention when a majority of the delegates will turn to Indiana for a candidate. Some of the vice president's followers declare that there iv as much reason to place faith, in the statement that the allied forces of the favorite sons that are arrayed asainsr Secretary Taff will be able to control the-convention as there is to believe the dop that is being sent out from the Tafr bureau So far as the vice- president's trusty lieutenants are concerned, thy assert that their boom is not ready for the embalming board by any means and that the other candidal will fir.d that the vice president has very stronz backing when they reach Chicago. WILSON IS OUT. George Wilson, the veteran driver cf the hook and ladder truck, took a ride on the chemical waeon of No. 2 company this morniner. Georere suffered the fracture of his ankle by the fall from one of The horses whiie exercising the t'-am and has been on sick leave ever since. He has to use crutches to walk about. HAYWOOD WITHDRAWS. Chicago, 111.. May 12. William Haywood has withdrawn as a candidate for the presidency on the socialist ticket.

ARB MS

MEN

BY WILD RUMOR

Glenn Marston Says That People Who Do Not Use Electricity Arc Taxed to Keep Up the Plant.

BUSINESS MEN INDULGE IN LITTLE CONFAB. Merits of the Local Concern Are Discussed Pro and Con And Schillinger Gets Slightly Ruffled. One of the most animated !iscusn'ii.s that has marked a public meeting of the Commercial club, was that i last cening. which followed the adhess of Gli nn MarMou, ot New York, who spoke on the subject "Public Servile Commissions in the I'nited States." Municipal ownership of public utilities furnished the theme of the disi u: sini. which was indulged in by a number of the prominent business men of the city, the mayor and a member of the bnard of public works. Mr. Marston declared municipal ownership lias proved a lailuie in the t'niii'd .-'atos. Champions of the local plant mleavori d to convince him anil local opponents of the plant that the U'chiioud investment has not been a faiiiie. The argument pro and con accomplished the purpose of the meet.ng. There was a large number in the aulii me who have adln rid to the princijdrs of municipal ownership in particular, as it applies to the local light ,il nit. The majority claimed to be veii acquainted with the affairs of the concern, but when Mr. Marston asked how many of those present had read he last repori of the city controller In regard to the plant only ten arose. There were more than 1" business men in attendance. If the pnrtioii f one-tenth be extended to apply to il'.- entire city, the proportion will b found very small. Property Owner Taxed. One of the claims of unfairness advocated by Mr. Marston atainst municipal ownership was. that in tins idly a iiropeitv owner is- taxed for the support of the municipal plan', whether lie is a user of electricity or not. This mikes a lion user pay for souk tbinij : hat only a portion of the w hole uses, and of which he derives no benefit. The speaker declared that municipal ownership promotes anti prohibition sentiment. He said that is true depite the facetious statimcnts of W. P. O'Neal to the effect it was a gnat stirprise to him and in fact " I thinit 'hat's the limit." Mr. Marston contended that corporations ly a tax to -upport their munitipal utilities. Prohibition drives out the taloons. this -lies awav with the large revenue received from saloon licenses and without the saloon tribute the amount, of lax is reduced. With the reduction of taxes comes the failure to support 'ho plant and it finally must uusincss. Advocates Commission. Mr. Marston advocated the establishment of a state commission, which has control of steam and electric railroads, water, gas and electric utilities. He said this will solve the problem better than municipal ownership or municipal control of privately owned utilities. Expensive Luxury. In part, he said: "The causes leading to the agftatTon ! for public control of public utilities has bcrn poor service ajvi high rates. The first form of expression of desire for public control was municipal ownership. The general result of municipal ownership has brn failure to produce what was expected and in almost every ease it has proved an expensive luxury. The )o"-s caused hy ic.'l tape in municipally owned utill-K-s is pitch a cuts into profits. Th9 majority of published rf-ports of municipal plants ii very misleading. Theoretically, charges such as govern o'her plants are not charged up. There is loss in taxes, interest on bonds, depreciation, waste, etc., which are not included. If any of you gentlemen ever held the hot end of a mortgage, you know how the interest is sometr.ir.s more than a theoretical charge. If you do not allow for denrenatioa you may as well begin to issu cew bond.-. Plant Should Be Taxed. As to the lost tax. There is r.o more reason why a municipal plant should not he taxed than a private p'ant. It -would help the city. It often happen the Umoij (called in some places the sinking fundi are not charged acair.st the plant, but are paid out of the genera.! fund. If municipal ownership is so advantageous, why are no other lines of business operated except utilities? Politics Interfere. "Municipal plants usually are more or less involved in politics. In case municipal control of public utilities is assumed the political parties will soon be after th manager of the plant.

(Continued on Page Tnxee.