Richmond Palladium (Daily), Volume 34, Number 9, 17 November 1908 — Page 1

UM AND STTX-TTCTOUAM. VOIi. XXXIV. NO. 9. RICHMOND, IND., TUESDAY EVENING, NOVEMIiER IT, 1908. SINGLE COPY, 2 CENTS, TAGGART DIDN'T WANT IT AS HE HIS GIFT IN HANDS OF CUSTOMS OFFICES AL JOLIET PRISON NOW HOLDSTHE JAPANESE GENERAL HURRIES TO THE CHINESE CAPITAL SUDDENLY LEAVES JAPAN FOR CHINESE EMPIRE INTERESTS TO BE PROTECTED T GET IT

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This Is True Reason for French Lick Gambling King's Withdrawal From the Senatorial Race.

SLACK AND KERN NOW THE FAVORITES. Shiveley and Lamb Considered Out of the Running Fleming May Back Up L. Ert Slack. (Ellis Searles.) Indianapolis, Nov. 17. Thomas TagBart, would rather be a private in the ranks than United States senator, according to his own announcement, but the general belief is that his decision to remain in the ranks and not take the senatorship is because he could not get the senatorship if he wanted it. He has been holding off and talking around all over the state, keeping the entire party in suspense in regard to his probable candidacy and the general opinion is that he was trying to line up the members of the legislature in his own interest and that he failed, lie probably did not get as .much encouragement as he expected and this caused Mm to issue this statement yesterday afternoon: , "The interest shown by my friends all over the state in advocating my election as United States senator from Indiana has been most gratifying. . While I wish to assure all my friends that I fully appreciate the honor that would be conferred in such an election, and while such a proffer from the party with which I have been bo long associated and in which I have aiways- been an active worker in the ranks is a thing not lightly to be cast aside, Ihave carefully considered the matter and must decline to become a candidate. "My business Interests are much in extent that they demand all my personal attention and the sacrific resulting even if my election were assured, would be too great. "There are a number of able and deserving men in the democratic party "who have already announced their wish to take the senatorship and I feel sure that the party will make no mistake in its final selection. "I shall be better satisfied to remain In the ranks and do what I can as one member of the organization in perpetuating the party of the people in power in Indiana. "I most heartily thank all my friends who have been so insistent in urging my claims for the position. "THOMAS TAGGART." Influence to Kern. This probably means that Taggart will throw whatever influence he can control to John W. Kern. Taggart came In from French Lick yesterday and the first thing he did was to stop nt Kern's office. Kern and Taggart had a long talk behind closed doors endswhen Taggart came out he said he had nothing to say on the senatorship but probably would have a state ment ready in a day or two. Later in the day he gave out the above statement, so it is believed that he made known his intention to Kern during the forenoon when they had their talk. Sine Taggart is out of it the race row is believed to fbe between Kern end L. Ert Slack, of Franklin. It is jiot believed that Kern, John E. Lamb end B. F. Shively can all get very far in- the race, because each will draw Home support that would go to any of them if the other two were out of the way. There is no denying the fact that Kern is at this time the strongest candidate, with the possible ex ception of Slack and there is no rea Hon to expect that either Lamb or fchively will be able to catch up with him. Fleming For Slack. There is a strong suspicion that Slack will finally get the support of Stephen B. Fleming, of Fort Wayne, who controls at least ten votes on loint ballot. Edward G. Hartman, of Fort Wayne, democratic chairman of the Twelfth disfrict. Is a candidate for senator and the general under- . standing is that he was brought out by Fleming as a candidate to beat Kern. Fleming and Kern are political enemies, their bitterness even extending so far as to cause them to pass each other by without speaking. So it is more than likely that Fleming will be against Kern from start to finish. Fleming was in town Saturday night Und Sunday morning and had a long talk with L. Ert Slack. This, taken In connection with the fact that Tagpart got out of the race today is taken to mean that Fleming is about to line up with Slack to beat Kern and Tagart. It this turns out to be true it will fnean one of the prettiest fights that pas been seen In democratic circles . jn this state in a long time, for the two sides will be well matched.

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DUKE OF THE ABRUZZI. Pittsburg. Pa.. Nov. 17. A $5,000 ruby ring, thought to be the present of the duke of the Abruzzi to the American girl he loves, is in -the hands of the customs authorities and will be held pending an investigation into why there was no duty paid on it and why the gem was not formally declared. The ring was neatly done up in a paper parcel and was addressed to Miss KaUherine Elkins, Elkins, W. Va. The curiosity of a postmaster is responsible for the nondelivery of the package. Precautions to Safeguard Heiress. Surveyor of the Port M. M. Garland has charge of the ring. It was delivered to him yesterday afternoon by Postmaster W. II. Davis of Pittsburg, who received it from the postmaster at EQkins earlier in the day. 1VICTS ARE KILLED Manway in Alabama Mine Fired and Eleven Are Thought Dead. Is PLANS FOR ESCAPE FATAL. Birmingham, Ala., Nov. 17. The bodies of four men have been recovered and seven others are missing and have been given up for dead, as the result of the firing of a manway of the Tennessee Coal company's mine late last night. Officials belteve the manway was fired for the purpose of effecting a wholesale escape of convicts who exclusively compose the miners force. EMPEROR GIVES IN German Ruler to Bow to Popular Sentiment in the Future. RULER MEETS VON BUELOW Berliu, Nov. 17. After a long conference this afternoon, Emperor William gave Chancellor Von Buelow, the assurance that he would bow to popular sentiment. This means the Kaiser will refrain from meddling in state affairs hereafter, and in consequence Von Buelow will continue as chancellor. This understanding is expected to dispel the dissatisfaction which has so recently prevaded the German atmosphere. AUTOIST HURLED TO HIS DEATH Emile Strieker Attempts Lower Record. to Birmingham, Ala., Nov. 17. Emile Strieker, an automobile racer, aged thirty-three, was hurled to death at three o'clock this morning while attempting to lower the twenty-four hour record on the fairgrounds track. Lon Barrows, chauffeur of Birmingham was also seriously injured. A tire burst while Strieker was going sixty miles an hour in a Renault car. Strieker is a native of Germany. THE WEATHER PROPHET. INDIANA- Fair, warmer Tuesday night; Wednesday fair; light to fresh west winds becoming variable. OHIO Fair Tuesday night except snow flurries In northeast portion; Wednesday fair, warmer; eh west to south winds. .

This Is the Purpose of the Federation of Commercial Clubs To Be Organized in This City.

MANY CITIES TO BE REPRESENTED AT MEETING. Business Men Will Convene in First Session Wednesday, Adjourning Thursday After Election. The meeting for the purpose if organizing the Indiana Federation of Commercial clubs will open tomorrow afternoon at the headnuarters of the Richmond Commercial club in the Masonic temple and will close Thursday afternoon. The new organization promises to be one of the most powerful and influential in the state. Its rank and file will include the best known business men in the state and its aim will be to safeguard and fight for the commercial interests of Indiana. Secretary E. M. Haas, of the Richmond club, who with President J. F. McCarthy, was instrumental In promoting the organization of the Federation, has been notified by the clubs in the following cities that they will be represented at the organization meeting: Indianapolis, Ft. Wayne, Evansville, Terre Haute, South Bend, Muncie, Marion, Anderson, Rushville, Greensburg, North Manchester, Goshen, Rensselaer, Peru, Andrews, New Castle, Hammond, Linton, Delphi, Decatur, Gary. It can be seen by this list that nearly all the important cities in the state have announced their intention of being represented- at the meeting. It is expected that there will be several cities and towns represented who have neglected to notify him. The clubs in the cities above mentioned will be represented by from one to five delegates. This morning Mr. Haas received a letter from the president of the Gary Commercial club stating that his club would be represented by five delegates. The greatest interest is being taken in the organization of the federation, by business men all over the state and many congratulations have been sent to the local Commercial club for its action in "starting the ball rolling." Indiana business men have long felt the handicap imposed upon them because they have had no state organization to promote legislation favoring the commercial interests of Indiana and for fighting legislation detrimental to their interests. The meeting will be called to order tomorrow afternoon at 1 o'clock by President J. F. McCarthy of the Rich mond Commercial club. Mayor Schillinger will then read the address of welcome and Secretary Haas will read the call. Temporary organization will then be effected. At 2 o'clock, President Arthur W. Brady of the Anderson Commercial club, will deliver an address on "CoOperation in Commercial Club Work." This will be followed by a discussion. At 3:30 o'clock. M. O. Leighton, of Washington, D. C chief hydrographer of the U. S. Geological Survey, will deliver an address on "Conserving Natural Resources," at the high school hall. The public is invited to attend. After a discussion, the committee on permanent organization, the committee on constitution and other committees will be appointed, when the meeting will adjourn. Wednesday evening there will be a banquet served by the Richmond Commercial club at the banquet hall of the Masonic temple at 7 o'clock. A splendid program of toasts has keenarranged for this event. This program was announced a few days ago. " Thursday morning the delegates will meet at '.) o'clock and Henry Riesenberg and Thomas A. Sins of Indianapolis and Perry A. Randall of Ft. Wayne, will discuss "Inland Waterways." Following this discussion the committee on constitution will report and the constitution will be adopted. The committee on permanent organization will also report and then the election of permanent officers will follow. The place for the next meeting of the Federation will also be decided on. Thursday afernoon the out of town delegates will be taken on a tour about the city in automobiles and will be shown the factories, business bouses and public institutions. COMPROMISE REACHED. Claim on Note Nets the $700. Plaintiff Upon a compromise agreement the case of Sarah Burris vs. the estate of Elihn Cecil was settled in the Wayne circuit court this morning. The sum named In the settlement was $700. Suit was Instituted upon a note. The sum named in the note was in excess of $1,000 but there was some question as to th validity of th sot.

Peter Van Vlissingen Confesses He Has Been Perpetrating Huge Frauds for Long Period.

SPEED USED IN CONVICTING MAN, Secures From One to Fourteen Years' Sentence Clever Scheme of Securing Money Disclosed. Chicago, 111. , Nov. 17. Confessing his authorship of an endless chain of forgeries involving more than $700,000 Peter Van Vlissingen, for many years a prominent real estate man and once reputed wealthy, was indicted, tried and sentenced to the penitentiary yes terday afternoon. Last night he lodged in the county jail, and today he was taken to the Joliet prison to begin serving a sentence of from one to fourteen years. The confession of the real estate man revealed a scheme of systematic and cunning forgery of notes and real estate trust deeds and mortgages extending over a period of eighteen years. The genuine paper and securities he counterfeited so artfully as to defy detection, and both the genuine and the spurious he sold in widely scattered parts of this country and in Europe. The forgeries were tracings made with the aid of an electrical tracing device. Unable to Meet Demands. For nearly two decades he managed to liquidate the fraudulent paper whea. it fell due and in that way avoided exposure, but recently he became unable to meet the demands of- this endless chain, and, despairing of further immunity, confessed to his guilt to two friends he had swindled. It is estimated that the spurious paper and securities outstanding at this time "are scattered among about twenty-five holders and amount to about $100,000. AH records for dispatch in the state's attorney's office were broken in the indictment and trial of Van Vlissingen. Within an hour and a half after the charge was laid before the grand jury the real estate man had been sentenced to prison. Last Saturday he confessed his guilt for the first time to two fellow real estate men Thies J. Lefens and William C. Seipp to whom he had sold forged mortgages. At their instance Acting State's Attorney James J. Barbour called Van Vlissingen to his office yesterday afternoon at 3 o'clock and asked him to explain the charges. Makes Full Confession. Van Vlissingen confessed all to the prosecutor and wrote and signed a statement that he alone was responsible for the swindles. Mr. Barbour then went before the grand jury with the witnesses, and a few minutes later indictments were voted and returned into court. Then the forger, waiving the right of representation by counsel, was arraigned before- Judge Windes, where he repeated his confession, following the testimony of Lefens and Seipp. Judge Windes then sentenccfi t!ie prisoner under the indeterminate law, and Van Vlissingen, after half an ! hour's further delay in the state's at torney's office, was led across the "bridge of sighs'' into the county jail. Throughout his career in Chicago Van Vlissingen, though suspected of crookedness in some quarters, was a respected figure to the community at large. Yet all of this time the forgery of notes and mortgages w-as one of the principal branches of his business. This branch he kept entirely in his own hands, his own nephew, John A. Vanderpoel. who was chief clerk, being ignorant of the swindles. How Scheme Was Worked. Van Vlissingen would loan a sum of money and take a mortgage or a trust deed as security. The notes and securities would be made out in due form, signed by the parties, approved by Vanderpoel and recorded with the county recorder. The real estate man then would lock himself into his private office, where he had a desk spec ially designed to aid his forgeries. In the top of this desk was a large hole covered by a piece of plate glass and beneath which was an incandescent electric light. Placing the genuine mortgage on the glass he would cover it with a similar blank form and turn on the light beneath the desk. Instantly ! thA ciffnfltlirfie fin? nAtotinna " . V. n t 11.. ,.kU W ... . uuu l.'l... 1WHO VU lUC" genuine instrument would be outlined on the blank. It then was a simple matter for Van Vlissingen to trace the signature on the blank and turn out a copy that even he himself had great difficulty in distinguishing from the original. Securities Sold Many Times. Sometimes he made two, three and even more copies of each original document and then proceeded to sell the securities many times over. The genuine he would sell in Chicago, one spurious one he would sell in New England, another out west. another down south and another in Germany or Qollami. hit native cooatrj. -

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Aol Tiussion to the celestial empire, his leave taking from Japan occurring shortly after the announcement of the death of the Dowager Empress, has caused considerable speculation in both Japan and China.

LETTERS REVEAL GUNNESS SYSTEM Show How Arch Murderess Decoyed Rich Men Into Her Power. STATE'S STRONG CASE. WITNESSES TESTIFY THAT LAMPH ERE STATED HE WOULD GET EVEN WITH MRS. GUNNESS FOR HER ACTS. Laporte, Ind. , Nov. 17. A large number of women were in the crowds at the Ray Lamphere trial today. The letters continued today to reveal tha methods of Mrs. Gunness. Lamphere tries to appear unconcerned, but he is unable to suppress his nervousness. John Wheatbrok testified today that Lamphere told him about seeing Mrs. Gunness's house on ftre when he came to work at Wheatbrok's place that morning. Bessie Wallace, of Michigan City, will testify this afternoon that Lamphere told her he would get even with Mrs. Gunness. Letters written by Mrs. Belle Gunness to Asle K. Helgelein of Mansfield, S. D., in an endeavor to lull his suspicions concerning the disappearance of his brother, Andrew, were introduced as evidence in the trial late yesterday. Prosecutor R. N.' Smith used them in leading up to the murder of Helgelein. He expects to prove Lamphere purchased poison to kill Helgelein and later assisted" Mrs. Gunness in disposing of the body. Only three out of seventy-five letters held by the state were presented in evidence. These had been translated from Norwegian and their genuineness was attested to by Asle K; Helgelein. Text of Woman's Letters. The letters which Asle K. Helgelein testified Mrs. Gunness wrote to him were as follows: "Laporte, March 27, 1908. Mr. Asle K. Helgelein: I have your recent letter in which you wish to know where your brother Andrew, keeps him Belf. Well, that is just what I would like to know. He came here about the middle of January. When he left here, he said he wanted to find his brother who had kept a gambling room in Aberdeen. He thought he mas in Chicago or New York, or possibly had gone to Norway. "BELLA GUNNESS." This letter did not allay the suspi(Continued on Page Two.)

Mayor's Veto Will Not Stop . Hospital A ppropriation

The ordinance appropriating $4,000 for the Reid Memorial hospital to be used for its maintenance next year was passed last evening by council by a vote of 10 to 1. Councilman Wettig was the only one to vote In the negative. He has constantly opposed the appropriation believing it to be ille-

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AOKI. OVERHEAD WIRES MOST RE REMOVED City Council Passes Ordinance Ruling Against Traction Company. A LOOPHOLE IS SEALED. PENALTY ATTACHED IF FEED WIRES ARE NOT TAKEN DOWN BEFORE APRIL COMPLAINT IS EXPECTED. An ordinance was introduced in council last evening requiring the Terre Haute, Indianapolis & Eastern to remove the high tension feed wires it has placed on the Main street trol ley poles. The company is given until April 1 to 'remove these wires. After that date should "the wires still re main overhead a penalty of $3 for each day they remain up i provided. This ordinance .was advanced to its second reading and will probably be unani mously passed 'at the next council meetings It is necessary for the city to pass this ordinance if it is desired to have the feed wires placed under ground, as the removal of. such wires is not provided for in the Main, street pole ordinance to penalize companies who left their Main street wires overhead. City Attorney T. J. Study stated last evening that he expected the company to litigate' before consenting to remove its feed wires as compliance with the ordinance introduced last evening would mean -the expense of placing the wires In conduits, as the city will not permit these wires to be placed in any street or alley. It is probable that the company will .complain . that. . the ordinance shows discrimination, pointing to the fact that the higfe tension, wires the city acd-the Richmond Light. Heat and Power company, formerly had strung to poles on Main street, were not placed underground, but were removed to poles in adjacent alleys. The city claimed that It had the authority to take such action on the ground that a municipality could not legislate against itself, but insisted that the high tension wires of the Light, Heat & Power company be placed under ground. This company flatly refused to take such action unless the city set-the example. The board of public works then dismounted from its high horse and permitted the company to remove its Main street wires to poles elsewhere. When the traction feed wires were (Continued on Page Eight.) The ordinance will undoubtedly be vetoed by the mayor so tbat he will be consistent in bia opposition to the city assisting in the maintenance of an alleged private institution. At the next council meeting that body will pass the ordinance over Mayor Schillinger's veto and 4 the Incident will then' be closed,

Developments in China Expected to Bring About Formal Understanding Between

Japan and America. BELIEVED YUAN SHAI KAI HAS BEEN POISONED. Regent of Empire Takes Firm Grip on Affairs Emperor And Dowager Empress Died NaturaJ Deaths. Tokyo. Nov. 17. The Hocbie pub lishes a Pekin report that one of the highest officials in China has been poisoned. It is believed this refers to Yuan Shal Kal. General Aokl, commandant of the Japanese military force in China, left here suddenly for Pekln. Developments in China are expect ed to bring early to a head the nego tiations for a formal understanding between Japan and America. Despite official denials. It is learned from a high authority in Tokyo that the Washington government U giving this matter active consideration. Prob ably it will take the form of diploma tic exchanges along the lines of lh suggestions made by Viscount Aokl to President Roosevelt, which the latter heartily approved. These are. first, that America and Japan shall mutually respect each other's territorial possessions and their interests; second, the recognition of mutual rights in the Pacific as a highway of commerce; third, the preservation of China's territorial integrity and mutual guarantee of the opeu door for equal commercial opportunity. Viscount Aokl's recall was due to his advancing these propositions to. President Roosevelt without . author?' ity. Count llayashi construing Viscount Aoki's act as a serious breach of department discipline. Count llayashi is out now and Viscount Aokl is strong with the present cabinet, with which he Is actively exerting his in fluence. TROOPS CALLED OUT. To Put Down Any Uprising Money Panic. i Pekln, Not. 17. China is beginning to realize that the emperor and the Dowager empress are dead. The Chinese had been so accustomed to look on the Dowager as the one person dominating all that the announcement of her death caused but little change in their unemotional natures and easy-going ways during the early hours of the ceremonies attending her passing, but now there has come a marked change. Prince Chun, the, Regent of the empire, in fear of the increasing excitement and revolutionary movements. has taken a firm grip of affairs and has adopted stringent measures that will result in the maintenance of peace for a time at least. At noon 5,000 gendarmes guarded the streets and other military forces were held ia readiness for an eventuality. Every precaution was taken to prevent a recurrence of the revolutionary tactics of last April and May. which were marked with widespread incendiarism. The foreign legations are under guard, special detachments of Chinese troops keeping watch at the approaches, and in some cases th regular legation guard was augmented by re-enforcements from other places. Fifty. Highlanders from TlenTsin were added to the British, forces. Foreign Legations Awake. The statement-' was made, however, at the legations that there was no fear that the Chinese government would be unable to afford ample protection, but those within the legations were more alert than usual and seemingly anxious to have set at rest th doubts arising from the swift movement of events In the last few days. Serious runs on banks occurred yesterday and today and 14 native banks closed. The crowds were wild with excitement, and toward the close of the day the police intervened and drove them back. One foreign bank, the Yokohama Specie bank, suffered a big run on its Tien-Tsin notes, but the British. Russian and German, banks were not affected. It is probable that a number of other native banks will be closed and it. is believed that the government will step in in an endeavor to stop the financial panic among the poorer classes. Mystery of the Death. As yet the cause of death in tb case of the emperor and Dowager empress has not been made public. A number of lengthy reports have been written with reference to this, but they are unintellibible to foreigners here who have not yet recovered from the shock of the suspicion of foul play, whicli was widespread. There is no reasonable evidence, however, to show that death in eiiber rase was the result of anything other than natural causes. The emperor had been ailing

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